The Official Isagenix Podcast How One Woman Thrived Alone, In Norway’s Frigid Winter | Heather Atkinson |David T.S. Wood
Have you learned to master fear and discomfort to push yourself to places you thought were unreachable? Heather Atkinson thrived for 5 weeks alone in Norway’s bitterly cold winter. How did she do it? How does she find comfort and joy in being alone? Heather shares her fascinating journey in this episode of My Extra Mile with David T.S. Wood.
You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in...
- Heather’s frigid journey in Norway’s winter
- Understanding the influence of fear
- Heather’s experience with the Wim Hof method
- Creating a sanctuary in the space that you live
- The challenges that Heather has navigated
- How Heather got into network marketing
- How YOU can live with a joyful heart
Heather’s journey into Norway’s bitterly cold winter
Heather wanted to see how far she could push herself, so she went to Norway in the middle of winter—alone. She wanted to answer the questions: How much would you push yourself when you’re completely alone in a remote place? What will your mind and body allow with no outside influence? How can you control your fear? So she took 5 weeks to see what she was capable of. She told no one where she was or what she was doing. She didn’t need anyone to push her—or congratulate her.
Her biggest fear was not being able to completely commit and realizing that she could fail. So she had to push herself every day. She constantly thought: “What will you feel like at the end of the day if you haven’t done it?” She didn’t want to feel disappointed or mediocre. If she could make it through one day, she could make it through the next. When people set their minds to something, they don’t necessarily have an agenda. They just reach their goal with whatever means necessary. Heather did what she set out to do.
Embracing the Wim Hof Philosophy
Not only did Heather spend 5 weeks alone but every day she spent time buried in the snow—in her bathing suit. How? By training under Wim Hof and following his methods. His courses help people understand their own thresholds. His whole philosophy is to help you understand that you can do anything. You can train your brain to do as it’s told and not let fear kick in. The breathing techniques can help your pain receptors turn off. You lower your heart rate and don’t feel the cold as intensely. It’s built around controlling the breath.
Her trip to Norway was her way of taking his courses and putting them into practice. When you’re buried in the snow and 100% immersed in the cold, there’s a point where you reach a euphoric stage in your brain. Your whole-body tingles, your ears ring, and you feel as if you’re going to pass out. You don’t feel any pain. She learned to harness that feeling of elation the entire day and then she learned to carry that through her everyday life. The joy she found far outweighed the fear she faced.
Live in a state of joy: Find what makes your heart sing
Heather grew up in a tough home. At a young age, she vowed that she would never live like that again. She wasn’t going to let the little things in life bother her. At 17 she left home and she lived for 10 years in a van. She always told herself she was the luckiest person on the planet—and truly believed it. You can resolve to choose joy. Being able to see the joy in everything is her greatest gift to herself.
When Heather is feeling anxious, afraid, or in a negative state of mind she does something physical—she trains hard. She emphasizes that everyone can do something that makes their heart sing. For her, it’s something physical. You NEED to take time to find something you find joy in. Find something that makes your heart sing and do it every day. To hear Heather’s powerful and adventurous life story, listen to the whole conversation!
Resources & People Mentioned
- Wim Hof Method
- History Channel’s “Alone”
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