Intentional Cold Exposure Academy – Coaching Education (in English)

Our mission is to create good coaches that can guide people in a mindful & safe way with different forms of cold exposure.

What is Intentional Cold Exposure (ICE)

Intentional Cold Exposure is a mindful way of using cold exposure for connection and growth. Cold exposure has many different aspects. It can be practiced for physical or mental health, as a challenge, to improve recovery, as meditation, as group ritual, a tool for self-development and a way to connect to Nature.

Depending on the person and intention the specific practice might be very different. For example long ice baths can be a great challenge, but are not necessary if you want to do ice baths for improving your general health.

The ICE approach is about understanding the science, practice, and safety of cold exposure and learning principles that can be applied to find one’s own way with the cold. ICE is not a rigid method but a varied and dynamic practice that can be continually adapted to one’s own intentions and needs.

What is the intentional cold exposure Academy?

Our mission is to create good instructors that can guide people in a mindful & safe way with different forms of cold exposure.
The program consists of 2 modules. In the first module (4 days), you learn all the essentials of guiding beginners in an icebath. After that there is a practice phase until the second module. In the second module (5 days), you will deepen your teacher skills and be evaluated.

We will have a maximum of 16 participants.

Who is the ICE Academy intended for?

The ICE training is for any cold enthusiast who wants to teach others about cold exposure in a safe and mindful way. For example, fitness trainers, physiotherapists, doctors, wilderness educators, psychologists, yoga instructors, alternative practitioners, and survival trainers.

A prerequisite is at least one winter of experience with ice baths and the ability to relax in the cold.

Prior work with coaching is not required; you will receive the necessary knowledge and practical coaching experience in our training to safely and mindfully guide people into the cold. A start-up, business, or marketing consultancy is not part of the ICE training.

Program 2026

Module 1: (4 days)

The goal of the first module is to equip participants with all the tools they need to safely guide people into ice baths. The focus is on learning how to safely accompany beginners. The main topics are theory, safety, and coaching practice.

Some of the subjects:
• Science of Cold Exposure (what happens in the body, health benefits, how to explain the science, and more)
• Contraindications, side effects, and safety
• Different relaxation methods
• Lots of coaching practice
• Principles for guiding people (before, during, and after an ice bath)
• Experience with many different ways to take an ice bath

Practice Phase:

Until the next module, trainees are expected to practice with guiding people in ice baths and cold baths in nature.

At the same time, they continue their own cold exposure practice and become proficient in understanding and explaining the theory.

Module 2: (5 days)

In this module trainees will be evaluated on their skills (knowledge of science and safety, ability to guide people, etc.). At the same time skills will be further improved and we go into other aspects of cold exposure (meditation, hiking, cold challenges and rituals)
Some of the subjects:
• Evaluation of teaching and coaching skills and knowledge
• Guiding people into challenging ice baths
• Different forms of cold exposure: Meditation and hikes in minimal clothing
• Cold exposure as ritual and way to connect to nature

About your teachers

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.

Douwe van den Berg

Douwe discovered his love for cold water in 2010 in China when only cold water was available during his months-long Kungfu training. He loved the challenge and the invigorating feeling after cold exposure. Soon, he began taking people along wherever he found cold water, from the beaches of the Netherlands to the Arctic regions of Finland. By now, he has guided thousands of people from many different countries.

Through his love for cold water, Douwe also came into contact with the „Iceman“ Wim Hof in 2012 and became one of the first Wim Hof Method instructors in 2015. Douwe worked closely with Wim Hof on many adventures and also trained hundreds of instructors in the Wim Hof Method. He left the WHM in 2026, to focus on his own projects.

Out of the desire to share his own creative ideas, quality and safety standards and a broader approach to cold exposure, he founded in 2024 the Intentional Cold Exposure (ICE) Academy together with Josephine.

Douwe’s approach to cold exposure is full of playful exploration & mindful challenges, while at the same time placing an emphasis at creating a physical and emotional safe place to learn and explore.

Dr. Josephine Worseck

In 2016, Josephine assisted with a study on the Wim Hof Method, and Wim Hof himself encouraged her to take her first ice bath. Although she is no longer an officially recertified Wim Hof Method instructor, it was with Wim Hof that her love for the cold began.

The transformative power of cold deeply impressed her and led her to leave academia in 2017 to devote herself 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 both a scientifically grounded and practical way.

With her book “Die Heilkraft der Kälte” (The Healing Power of Cold), she brings science and practice together and shows how cold can be used specifically to strengthen the immune system, reduce stress, and increase performance. She is regularly featured in the media—including SPIEGEL, ZDF, and ARTE—and inspires a wide audience with her clear, down-to-earth manner.

Whether in retreats, workshops, or books, Josephine combines solid scientific knowledge with intuitive understanding, depth with ease, and practical guidance with inspiration.

Price:
Early bird Price (till 31st of march 2026): €2750; afterwards €2900
– Includes Module 1 & Module 2
– Includes all meals
– Includes accommodation in double room (tent, triple room, or private room are also available for a lower or higher price). See the website for the price differences.

Times and Dates: (English group)
Module 1: 27.09.2026 (arrival 14:00) -30.09.2026 (departure 14:00)
Module 2: 7.12.2026 (arrival 14:00) – 11.12.2026 (departure 14:00)

At the same year we also have a German spoken group, the dates of this group are:
Module 1: 17.09.2026 (arrival 14:00) – 20.09.2026 (departure 14:00)
Module 2: 18.11.2026 (arrival 14:00) – 22.11.2026 (departure 14:00)

For more information, registration and room reservation please contact:
Website: intentional-cold-exposure.com
E-mail: douwevandenberg42 (at) gmail.com