What Doesn't Kill Us

How Freezing Water, Extreme Altitude and Environmental Conditioning Will Renew Our Lost Evolutionary Strength

By: Scott Carney

Narrated by: Scott Carney

What Doesn't Kill Us, a New York Times best seller, traces our evolutionary journey back to a time when survival depended on how well we adapted to the environment around us.

Our ancestors crossed deserts, mountains, and oceans without even a whisper of what anyone today might consider modern technology. Those feats of endurance now seem impossible in an age where we take comfort for granted. But what if we could regain some of our lost evolutionary strength by simulating the environmental conditions of our forbears?

Investigative journalist and anthropologist Scott Carney takes up the challenge to find out: Can we hack our bodies and use the environment to stimulate our inner biology? Helping him in his search for the answers is Dutch fitness guru Wim Hof, whose ability to control his body temperature in extreme cold has sparked a whirlwind of scientific study. Carney also enlists input from an army scientist, a world-famous surfer, the founders of an obstacle course race movement, and ordinary people who have documented how they have cured autoimmune diseases, lost weight, and reversed diabetes. In the process he chronicles his own transformational journey as he pushes his body and mind to the edge of endurance, a quest that culminates in a record-bending 28-hour climb to the snowy peak of Mt. Kilimanjaro wearing nothing but a pair of running shorts and sneakers.

An ambitious blend of investigative reporting and participatory journalism, What Doesn't Kill Us explores the true connection between the mind and the body and reveals the science that allows us to push past our perceived limitations.

©2017 Scott Carney (P)2017 Scott Carney

Wow!

All I can say is wow book was amazing love the story I've already started doing some of the breathing techniques!

Great Book

extremely informative. packed full of scientific data to back up claims. good story. I am now obsessed with following the Wim Hof Method and taking freezing showers is my thing! this book opened my eyes to the science of what our bodies and immune systems need in order to be healthy. thank you Scott! and that k you Wim Hof!

very educational <br />

good shit.
very inspiring. related and now feel confident sharing experiences with others on doing what I already do.

Intriguing Listen

I appreciated how Mr. Carney entered this endeavor as a skeptic prepared for the letdown. But upon meeting Wim Hof and becoming a disciple of his method, they accomplish some pretty amazing feats. I won't spoil anything, but it is a real testament to the boundaries of human accomplishment. Oh, and I also started taking cold showers.

Take a deep breath and take in this book

The story of Scott Carney's encounter and adventures with Wim Hof are enticing. This book provides an a way for you to experience the absolute pleasure and feel as though you are a part of the race up mountain, enduring the cold as you freeze with the author, and finding moments throughout the read to take a deep breath with Scott as if you are breathing together. I want in.

Through intriguing!

I think one of the best parts is that the author is openly skeptical throughout the book. Despite having evidence and doubts, he effectively tackles the project as a professional journalist.
He's quick to point out when incidents are anecdotal, but he's also free with the numerous case studies.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it serves well as a gateway to more learning of this method.

Have you ever wondered? I have...

As a former high level athlete (NCAA DI) I had always wondered why I craved to go for a run in a snow storm. Couldn’t explain it to others...

...now I can at least explain it to myself. I have been re-energized to work on myself and my body in my 40s. The biology is fascinating and observations of experiencing cold showers and purposeful breathing for a straight month is something everyone can do and would be worth the effort to experience.

Yesterday went for an hour walk shirtless and in shorts in the snow in 30 degree temperatures. Went in a nature preserve in the city I live with my wife. She chuckled at me, but saw the joy in my face. We saw one other walker bundled in full winter gear head to toe. He could see us coming for a good 5 minutes prior to crossing paths.

As we crossed paths, I could see him struggling to process what I was up to shirtless and in shorts in the conditions. He then said with a confused tone, “You training for a polar plunge?” I simply said with a smile, “Just trying to catch the cold”.

Recommend the read or listening.

great read!

loved the process of Scott's journey and took a huge amount from it. I wanted more though!

Awesome

Be forwarned this book will motivate you to do some physical activity that you wouldn't normally do. Heed all precautions and warnings! I personally enjoyed this book for its dense storyline, it's appeal to science, it's super amped up climactic ending, and its application to my life. I have some unique struggles that I believe the Wilm Hoff method is helping with. Another kudos to the book, the sheer pragmatism of the author is just like mine. Questioning every thing at every turn, being strictly logical yet open to what yeilds results, and cautiously accepting of the possibilities stemming from everything "ice man", the author takes you on a trip you will want to try more than once.

superhuman to me

Holy crap it was a great book. I will probably listen to it agian real soon