Isabelle Hof and Laura Hof on the Secrets of the Icewomen

In this captivating episode, John R. Miles sits down with Laura Hof and Isabelle Hof, two remarkable women carrying forward the legacy of the legendary Wim Hof while forging their own empowering path. Together, they dive into their groundbreaking new book, Secrets of the Icewomen: The Power of Cold and Breathwork to Balance Hormones, Bolster Health, and Unlock Inner Potential.

This conversation uncovers the transformative benefits of cold exposure and conscious breathwork, especially for women, and how these ancient yet modern practices can help us reclaim our resilience, emotional strength, and hormonal harmony. From their personal journeys growing up with an unconventional father to building a global community of empowered ‘Icewomen,’ Laura and Isabelle offer wisdom, vulnerability, and tools anyone can use to awaken their inner power.

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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Stitcher, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Listen Notes, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube below.

Unlocking Resilience and Hormonal Health Through Cold and Breathwork

In this enlightening episode, John R. Miles welcomes Laura Hof and Isabelle Hof, daughters of Wim Hof, to explore the transformative power of cold exposure and breathwork, especially as it relates to resilience, mental clarity, and women’s health. The conversation takes listeners deep into the often misunderstood world of ice baths, intentional breathing, and the personal stories that shaped Laura and Isabelle’s approach to well-being. From navigating childhood with an unconventional, larger-than-life father to pioneering a global movement for women, the Hof sisters share how reconnecting with nature and the breath can become a life-changing tool for navigating grief, stress, and modern health challenges.

They also unpack how scientific research is finally catching up to these ancient practices and why women everywhere are reclaiming their power through the cold.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode With Isabelle Hof and Laura Hof:

• Harnessing Resilience: Laura and Isabelle reflect on the importance of developing mental resilience early on — and how cold exposure builds this both physically and emotionally.
• The Power of Breathwork: Breath isn’t just automatic; it’s an accessible tool to regulate stress, emotions, and hormonal balance.
• Impact of Loss: Laura opens up about the profound effect of losing her mother and how cold and breathwork became essential tools in her healing.
• Women’s Health Benefits: The sisters discuss how cold exposure and breathwork can help women manage hormonal cycles, improve mood, and increase energy levels naturally.
• Breaking Ice Queen Stereotypes: They address the myths and misconceptions surrounding women and extreme cold practices, celebrating the rise of empowered ‘Icewomen.’
• Community and Connection: Beyond the individual benefits, Laura and Isabelle emphasize the importance of building supportive, like-minded communities around these practices.

WHY IS THIS EPISODE WITH LAURA HOF AND ISABELLE HOF A MUST-LISTEN?

This episode isn’t just about the Wim Hof Method — it’s a deeply human, inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, and empowerment. Whether you’re curious about the science behind cold exposure, seeking tools to manage stress and hormones naturally, or looking for a story of strength through adversity, this episode offers practical wisdom and personal vulnerability. It’s a must-listen for anyone ready to reclaim control over their well-being and connect with a growing community of fearless, intentional people embracing the cold.

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The Icewomen’s Journey: Healing Through Breath, Cold, and Courage

What happens when we stop running from discomfort—and start breathing into it instead?

That’s the question sisters Isabelle and Laura Hof invite us to explore in their transformative new book Secrets of the Icewomen. And in this episode of Passion Struck, they join John R. Miles to dive into how the Wim Hof Method—pioneered by their father—can help women reconnect with their bodies, manage stress, and reclaim their vitality.

But this isn’t just about cold plunges and deep breathing. It’s about healing. It’s about facing the parts of ourselves we’ve neglected—physically, emotionally, spiritually—and offering them compassion through practice.

Isabelle and Laura open up about how the breath was a lifeline during their most difficult moments. Laura shares her journey with postpartum depression and how daily breathwork helped bring her back to center. Isabelle talks about using cold exposure not just for resilience, but as a tool for listening to the body’s whispers before they become screams.

The Hof sisters challenge the outdated narrative that women must suffer in silence through hormonal changes, societal pressure, and burnout. Instead, they offer a powerful reframe: that we can become co-authors of our own wellness story. Their method—rooted in science and self-awareness—isn’t just a protocol. It’s a path to empowerment.

John guides the conversation with vulnerability and curiosity, diving into the deeper emotional and psychological implications of this work. Together, they discuss the physiological benefits of the Wim Hof Method, including reduced inflammation, increased energy, and even improved skin and hair health. But more than that, they uncover the emotional healing that happens when we learn to breathe through our pain and meet ourselves with compassion.

At its heart, this episode is about honoring the feminine experience—not just in biology, but in the power of presence, intuition, and restoration. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your body or overwhelmed by the pace of life, this is your invitation to pause, breathe, and begin again.

The Rise of the Ice Woman Community: How Cold and Breathwork Are Empowering Women Everywhere

During the fascinating Passion Struck interview, Wim Hof Method experts Laura and Isabelle Hof shared their thoughts on a movement that’s rapidly gaining momentum: the Ice Woman Community. More than just a wellness trend, this growing sisterhood represents a powerful shift in how women worldwide are embracing resilience, empowerment, and holistic health through cold exposure and breathwork.

As daughters of the legendary Wim Hof, Laura and Isabelle have seen firsthand how these practices — once dominated by male-centric narratives of toughness and extremes — are being reclaimed and redefined by women on their own terms. The Hof sisters emphasized that, for many women, stepping into the cold is about much more than physical endurance. It’s about reconnecting with the body, regulating hormones, healing emotional wounds, and fostering a sense of inner strength.

This concept of the Ice Woman isn’t about being stoic or unfeeling; it’s about confronting life’s discomforts head-on and emerging stronger. Cold exposure combined with intentional breathwork has been scientifically shown to reduce inflammation, improve mental clarity, and balance key hormones — benefits that directly impact areas of life where women often struggle, from stress management to sleep, menstrual health, and emotional regulation.

Laura and Isabelle also spoke about the empowering communal aspect of this practice. Unlike the isolated, competitive energy sometimes associated with extreme wellness culture, the Ice Woman Community thrives on connection, shared vulnerability, and collective courage. Whether gathering in nature for group plunges, breath circles, or online challenges, women are creating safe, supportive spaces to push boundaries and redefine what strength looks like.

The Hof sisters beautifully capture this ethos in their new book, Secrets of the Icewomen: The Power of Cold and Breathwork to Balance Hormones, Bolster Health, and Unlock Inner Potential. In it, they share both the science and the soulful stories behind the movement, offering readers practical guidance on how to safely integrate these ancient practices into modern life. The book serves as both a guide and a call to action for women seeking deeper connection with their bodies, nature, and one another.

For listeners of the Passion Struck Podcast, this conversation offers a fresh, intimate look at a wellness revolution led by women, for women — one icy breath at a time.

THANKS, LAURA & ISABELLE HOF

If you enjoyed this interview with Isabelle and Laura Hof, let them know by clicking on the link below and sending each a quick shout on Instagram

Click here to show Isabelle Hof your thoughts about today’s episode on Instagram

Click here to show Laura Hof your thoughts about today’s episode on Instagram

Click here to let John R. Miles know about your number one takeaway from this episode!

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RESOURCES FROM THE SHOW WITH ISABELLE HOF AND LAURA HOF

Please note that some of the links on this page (books, movies, music, etc.) lead to affiliate programs for which The Passion Struck podcast receives compensation. It’s just one of the ways we keep the lights on around here. Thank you so much for being so supportive!

1. Wim Hof Method’s Website
2. Laura Hof’s Instagram
3. Isabelle Hof’s Instagram
4. Passion Struck Core Value System: https://passionstruck.com/the-passion-struck-core-belief-system/
5. Listen to Passion Struck’s interviews with New York Times bestselling authors Gretchen Rubin and Seth Godin.
6. Check out Passion Struck’s Episode Starter Packs on Spotify or Passion Struck starter packs to get started with the podcast.

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Check My solo episode on Why We All Crave To Matter: Exploring The Power Of Mattering.

About Today’s Guests, Isabelle Hof and Laura Hof

Laura Hof and Isabelle Hof are internationally recognized wellness leaders, breathwork facilitators, and certified Wim Hof Method instructors dedicated to making the transformative benefits of cold exposure and conscious breathing accessible to women around the world. As daughters of the legendary Wim Hof, they’ve not only inherited a passion for pushing human potential but have redefined it through a uniquely female lens.

Together, Laura and Isabelle are the co-authors of Secrets of the Icewomen: The Power of Cold and Breathwork to Balance Hormones, Bolster Health, and Unlock Inner Potential, a groundbreaking book that merges science-backed strategies with soulful storytelling. Through their workshops, retreats, and growing Ice Woman Community, the Hof sisters empower women to cultivate resilience, regulate their nervous systems, and reconnect with their inner strength in a way that’s deeply personal and powerfully communal.

Their work has been featured in global wellness circles, and they continue to inspire audiences through podcasts, live events, and educational platforms that champion holistic health, hormone balance, and mental well-being.

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