John Herter
Hello!
I have been practicing the Wim Hof Method (WHM) daily since the fall of 2016. The method has been fundamental to my ability to overcome chronic illness and increase my capacity and resilience to the stresses of everyday life. Having experienced the deep physiological and psychological transformation that is possible through dedicated practice, my goal is to share the WHM with others.
I genuinely enjoy connecting with my students, creating a light-hearted atmosphere, and tailoring instruction to individual abilities and goals. Whether you're an elite athlete or someone suffering from debilitating physical or mental health conditions, I present a set of scientifically-grounded tools that will allow you to cultivate greater happiness, health, and strength.
My Story
Part I: Chronic stress
In my mid 20s, I got my first "real" job. Working 50-60 hour weeks (sometimes more) was not uncommon and having grown up in the Maine outdoors and enjoying several athletic outlets, the sedentary, computer-driven day was a brutal transition. I spent my day making money for others but wasn't yet ready to sacrifice my hobbies or the things that brought me joy. So I went for it - I fit it all in. I lit the candle wherever I could find a wick.
Things were great for a while but little did I know that I was steeping in a corrosive bath of stress hormones. Acute stress became chronic stress, which created an internal environment that enabled several debilitating conditions to take root. Over time, my body eventually broke.
Part II: Getting very, very sick
I was ultimately diagnosed with or suffered from the following:
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7 low-level chronic viral infections
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Chronic Lyme (w/ co-infections)
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Heavy metal accumulation
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Biotoxic mold exposure
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Chronic urticaria (hives)
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune)
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Massive endocrine issues (CFS, no cortisol, low testosterone)
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White blood cell and neutrophil counts on par with someone going through chemotherapy
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Chronic sinusitis
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Chronic inflammation and tendonitis
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Intestinal permeability
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Endless food allergies
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Histamine intolerance
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Brain Fog
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Etc....
This is a photo of half the medications that I would take multiple times per day. I had to develop a large spreadsheet and numbered each medication to track how much to take (and when). It was a basically part-time job.
Part III: Resurrection
In October 2016, I began a 10-week Wim Hof course. After a few weeks in, I felt as good as I had felt in years. I kept going and my symptoms began to abate. Inflammation in my body began to quite down and instead of simply surviving, I was getting stronger. My immune system went through a "hard reset" and I began to feel... normal.
I've been doing the method ever since and have never felt as strong - physically or mentally - in my entire life.
Becoming a Wim Hof Method instructor was a natural next step and my way of attempting to pay it forward. Not only does it provide a means to get back to your former health and wellness baseline, it dramatically increases it. The ultimate goal of the method is to become the best versions of ourselves, which is what the world desperately needs.
There was once a point where if I physically exerted myself for over 45 minutes, I wouldn't be able to get out of bed for days (due to adrenal exhaustion). This is a picture from a 2019 race that included 6.5 miles of swimming and 23.5 miles of running. Finished and felt great!