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When you think of ice baths and breathwork, the name Hof inevitably surfaces – but Laura Hof is blazing her own trail. As a certified Wim Hof Method Instructor, female biohacker, and nutritionist, she’s redefining what it means to face discomfort with grace, grit, and a whole lot of heart.
Filmed at the serene Shankara on Koh Samui, Thailand, during our Destination Deluxe x Aether Living retreat, this exclusive interview peels back the layers of Laura’s powerful journey – from growing up with the legendary Iceman Wim Hof to co-founding the Icewomen Community, and transforming personal grief into purpose through the breath.
In this unfiltered conversation, Laura offers a glimpse into her new book, Secrets of the Icewomen: The Power of Cold and Breathwork to Balance Hormones, Bolster Health, and Unlock Inner Potential, shares insights on resilience, and reveals how cold exposure and conscious breathing can unlock deep healing.
Check out the full video interview and our additional Q&A below for an even deeper dive into Laura’s icy-yet-soulful world. Ice bath optional – but highly recommended.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Don’t take life too seriously. Take it seriously in that sense that you give it your all, that you’re fully immersed in the moment. It’s like a child. It’s completely there and so doesn’t take life too seriously. At the end of the day, it makes life more fun, and you’ll be more dedicated.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG?
That is very funny, I wanted to be a veterinarian first because I loved animals! And then a lawyer. I thought I could change the world in that way. Now I’m changing it in a different way.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN 3 WORDS?
Loving, warm, open.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?
I really want to create something for women. This will be a platform, but it is not yet crystallized, but it is on my mind. I want to create a little team now that the book is out.
WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT?
The Wim Hof Method, specifically for women.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE HOTEL/RESORT?
There is a hotel that is in Palm Beach, I absolutely love it. It’s called The Breakers. It’s something ethereal, I really go back in time there. And so, it did something to me.
WHAT IS YOUR BEAUTY SECRET?
Ice baths for sure, cold exposure is simply great. Face ice baths if you have sleep deprivation, it’s amazing to wake yourself up. You look fresh. It’s great for the eyebags, skin, and it closes the pores. It also promotes blood flow.
When you do it regularly, something fascinating happens at the surface level: you start to develop tiny blood vessels in the skin – that’s oxidation at work. Think vampire facials and oxygen-based treatments – they’re all about oxidation.
So, I think cold exposure, but also just making sure that you are very much in tune with yourself. And when you need to rest, take that rest. I really listen to myself in that way.
WHAT FOOD DO YOU CRAVE?
I have a deep love for Sichuan cuisine. There’s this strange feeling when I haven’t had it in a few months –suddenly, I need to find a place to indulge in those bold, spicy flavors. It’s like a craving I can’t ignore.
Second thing is coconuts. I am in love with coconuts. I advise people to go to Thailand just based on the quality of coconuts.
WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?
Anything that really affects any of my family members, I am directly affected by it. I’m very loyal and I love my family. Family business, it keeps you up at night.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
People in general, but especially my father. I truly love him. And I think he’s also inspired by me. Now, we have these conversations where he’ll call me for advice or a little sprinkle of whatever it is he needs at that moment. It’s amazing because we’ve reached a point where we both offer something to each other. Sometimes, I just help ground him – he’s everywhere, and so am I. But I know how to ask him the right questions to guide him in the right direction.
WHO DO YOU FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM?
The past few months, I’ve been really inspired by Zach Bush. I’m not entirely sure what he does professionally, but his videos deeply resonate with me. He’s so in tune with nature, and it’s clear he has a mission to help us reconnect with the natural world. In a time when we’re seeing so much imbalance, his approach – blending science with a call to return to nature – feels incredibly important. His work is a reminder that we need to make this transition for our well-being and the planet’s health.
A BOOK OR MAGAZINE ON YOUR BEDSIDE TABLE? DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS?
Book. Always. I think one of the best is Untethered Soul. It’s so beautiful and I recommend it to anybody. If anybody is in a little crux, I recommend Power of Now or Untethered Soul.
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS?
Doing what you love isn’t always easy. There are sacrifices – timing, relationships, even choosing your own path over the one expected of you. And while it might not feel like a sacrifice in the moment, it can still be bittersweet. You can’t have it all, but you can have what truly matters – the thing that connects deeply with your soul. And that, to me, is the best.
I see this in many people. I saw it in my father too. He always said he just followed what made him happy. I often think back to my childhood and realize what a gift that was. He showed us how to be playful with nothing. How to be happy with absolutely nothing.
And if you can create happiness from that place of nothingness, then truly – you have everything. Because you don’t needmuch. Everything else becomes just a beautiful extra. A gentle decoration on top of something already whole.
DOES YOUR SISTER WORK IN THE SAME FIELD, CONSIDERING THAT SHE TRAINED WITH YOU?
Yes, she does – sometimes we work on it together. We’re very different, though. She’s a little less dedicated, maybe because it’s not her sole focus. I often feel the urge to dive in and get moving, while she’ll say, “Not now – I’ve got other priorities.”
She thinks it’s fun – and it is – but for me, it runs deeper. It feels like a soul mission, something I’m truly aligned with. It’s something I share with my father too – this inner drive to contribute, to express, to build. So wherever I can, I share.
Of course, I also have my own projects that I’m committed to. And then there are some other company initiatives – though, honestly, those are mostly brainstorming sessions and advisory bits. Important, sure, but not particularly inspiring.
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU THIS YEAR?
This year is already full – we’ve got travels and teachings lined up. I might also be joining the Academy to help train future instructors, which I’m really excited about. Then there’s the book tour, which will take up a good chunk of my time. And hopefully, I’ll finally be able to bring this project that’s close to my heart into full form. That’s the plan.
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