David Rutherford Show: “22 Minutes Without Air” – World Record Holder Stig Severinsen on the True Limits of Human Performance | Ep. 86

📍Stig Severinsen is a four-time world champion freediver, multiple Guinness World Record holder, and the first human being to hold his breath for more than 20 minutes. Known globally as “The Human Dolphin,” Stig combines elite physiology, Eastern philosophy, and decades of scientific research to explore the limits of human potential.

In this conversation, Stig and Rut go deep into:

• How Stig learned to hold his breath for 22 minutes

• The Viking childhood that shaped his connection to water

• Training Navy SEALs, fighter pilots, and elite performers

• The biology of breath, CO₂ tolerance, lactic acid, and nervous system control

• Why modern medicine misunderstands the mind-body connection

• The psychology of pushing past fear and physical limitation

• Breathwork as a tool for mental toughness, resilience, and healing

• The story behind his world records, including the under-ice swim

• How anyone can begin training their breath today

Stig brings together science, nature, and spirituality in a way few people can. This episode is a masterclass in human performance.

Follow Stig: https://www.breatheology.com/

Next Steps:

• 🏫 Get coaching by David Rutherford: https://www.froglogicinstitute.com/
• 📕 Get David's novel, The Poet Warrior: https://www.ballastbooks.com/ballast-bookstore/the-poet-warrior
• 📰 Sign up for David's weekly newsletter for free coaching tips, updates, and more: https://davidrutherfordletter.substack.com/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Early Childhood, Connecting To Water, Inspired By Nature

17:01 - What Ignited Stig’s Competitive Spirit & Will To Be The Best?

32:23 - Breaking World-Records & Pushing Human Limits

42:30 - The Physiology of Freediving

01:02:41 - Mindfulness, Performance Psychology, The Power of Breathwork

01:14:37 - Conditioning The Mind & Body For Superhuman Performance

01:37:04 - Coaching World-Record Setting Athletes

01:48:32 - Where To Learn More About Stig & Breatheology

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