Douwe and Josephine met through their shared passion for cold exposure. They have been working and living together since 2017 and have a son. Together they accompanied thousands of people at national and international events. With the increasing media hype surrounding cold exposure, they felt the need to launch a training program with high safety and quality standards. The ICE Academy trains instructors to bring safety, knowledge, and mindfulness to cold exposure. The growing ICE community shares the joy of discovering and experiencing the transformative effects of cold exposure.

Dr Josephine Worseck

That means cold for me

In 2016, I supervised a study on a now internationally well-known method combining breathing exercises, cold exposure, and mental training. Although I am no longer an officially recertified WHM instructor, it was through my encounter with Wim at that time that my love for the cold began. 

The transformative power of cold deeply impressed me and led me to leave academia in 2017 to devote myself fully to the practical application and teaching of cold exposure.

Josephine, a PhD molecular biologist, naturopath, and yoga teacher, is one of the first experts to convey the health effects of cold exposure in a scientifically grounded and practical way.

With her book *“The Healing Power of Cold,”* she brings science and practice together, showing how cold exposure can be used deliberately to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and enhance performance. She regularly appears in the media—including *DER SPIEGEL*, ZDF, and ARTE—and inspires a wide audience with her clear, down-to-earth approach.

Whether in retreats, workshops, or books, Josephine combines solid scientific knowledge with intuitive understanding, depth with ease, and practical guidance with inspiration, showing that we hold our mental and physical health in our own hands.

Douwe van den Berg

That means cold for me

I discovered my love for cold water in 2010 in China, when only cold water was available to me for months during my kung fu training. The experience deeply shaped me and sparked my fascination with the physical and mental effects of cold exposure. Since then, I have been intensely engaged with this field.

Soon, I began guiding others wherever I could find cold water. I love the challenge and the invigorating feeling after cold exposure, as well as sharing this experience with others. 

Douwe is a pioneer in the field of conscious cold exposure and has been guiding people on their journey into the cold since 2015. Between 2017 and 2023, he trained more than 500 instructors worldwide as an educator at the WHM Academy.

Douwe stepped away from the WHM in 2026 and is now fully focused on implementing his own ideas and values within the ICE Academy.

Guided by his core values, Douwe places particular importance on physical and emotional safety, as well as providing the best possible support for each individual’s personal development. His approach is shaped by decades of experience, deep mindfulness, high standards of quality, and a playful, exploratory spirit that creates space for personal discovery and growth.

Dr Josephine Worseck

That means cold for me

In 2016, I supervised a study on a now internationally well-known method combining breathing exercises, cold exposure, and mental training. Although I am no longer an officially recertified WHM instructor, it was through my encounter with Wim at that time that my love for the cold began. 

The transformative power of cold deeply impressed me and led me to leave academia in 2017 to devote myself fully to the practical application and teaching of cold exposure.

Josephine, a PhD molecular biologist, naturopath, and yoga teacher, is one of the first experts to convey the health effects of cold exposure in a scientifically grounded and practical way.

With her book *“The Healing Power of Cold,”* she brings science and practice together, showing how cold exposure can be used deliberately to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and enhance performance. She regularly appears in the media—including *DER SPIEGEL*, ZDF, and ARTE—and inspires a wide audience with her clear, down-to-earth approach.

Whether in retreats, workshops, or books, Josephine combines solid scientific knowledge with intuitive understanding, depth with ease, and practical guidance with inspiration, showing that we hold our mental and physical health in our own hands.

Douwe van den Berg

That means cold for me

I discovered my love for cold water in 2010 in China, when only cold water was available to me for months during my kung fu training. The experience deeply shaped me and sparked my fascination with the physical and mental effects of cold exposure. Since then, I have been intensely engaged with this field.

Soon, I began guiding others wherever I could find cold water. I love the challenge and the invigorating feeling after cold exposure, as well as sharing this experience with others. 

Douwe is a pioneer in the field of conscious cold exposure and has been guiding people on their journey into the cold since 2015. Between 2017 and 2023, he trained more than 500 instructors worldwide as an educator at the WHM Academy.

Douwe stepped away from the WHM in 2026 and is now fully focused on implementing his own ideas and values within the ICE Academy.

Guided by his core values, Douwe places particular importance on physical and emotional safety, as well as providing the best possible support for each individual’s personal development. His approach is shaped by decades of experience, deep mindfulness, high standards of quality, and a playful, exploratory spirit that creates space for personal discovery and growth.

Die Heilkraft der Kälte (The Healing Power of Cold)

I am also delighted that everyone is reading my book. Feel free to order it directly from the publisher (or alternatively from Amazon).
Order from the publisher

Ice bathing – longing for cold

arte reportage (D 2025, 30 min)

How different people take an ice bath

YouTube (2023, 3:47 min)

Healthy cold: How cold showers and ice baths give us strength

Living smarter, DER SPIEGEL Podcast (2023, 30 min)