Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Ruiter.
Hi Eric, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was in a snowboarding accident in 2004 and fractured my back. I had a friend tell me about the Wim Hof Method, which involves breathwork but also cold water therapy. I went that day and bought the largest tote I could find, and my quality of life has done nothing but go up! Every day since August 2021, I have done a daily ice bath, whether it’s at my house or up in the mountains somewhere. I can now hike and do anything which I never thought I’d be able to do again. It has helped me beat depression and take my life back! I knew I needed to tell Wim Hof about my story, and it had to be in person. So I manifested this, and sure enough, I got to meet and learn from the ice man in the Netherlands at his compound! I had a conversation with him and instantly started balling as he gave me a hug and thanked me for telling him. We still keep in touch to this day, which blows my mind. Since I found these incredible tools, I haven’t stopped letting everyone know!
At first, I was a crazy person, and nobody understood why I could get in my ice barrel in the middle of winter after all broke up all the ice. Now between so many people spreading the word and getting together in groups to plunge, this message is now spreading like wildfire. There are numerous groups here in Utah that all get together to heal and face fears, and it honestly brings me to tears thinking that I may have been a part of helping that grow. My Instagram started blowing up once I started posting about my plunges and dips, and people started to get interested in it. This leads to now where I have my own business around it called Eric In Da Cold. I am working with some of the “coolest” brands while meeting and teaching so many new people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I dealt with the pain as it progressively got worse and worse over the years.
I got back ablations multiple times that didn’t last long. I tried physical therapy, which didn’t help. This led to me giving up and just binge drinking to numb the pain away, and it led to a deep depression.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I work with multiple brands that I fully believe in and love. I also am in the process of getting my Wim Hof certification, where I will be holding retreats to teach breathwork and cold water therapy all over the world. My basement is turning into a studio where these practices can take place.
Currently, I am a part of 3 different cold plunge groups from Ogden all the way to Provo. The community that comes together for these plunges every week really makes my heart so full.
What I’m known for is being a teacher and going into some of Utah’s coldest waters year-round.
What I am most proud of is hearing how many people’s lives are all over the world I have been able to impact by teaching the Wim Hof Method. So many people struggle with depression and anxiety, and this practice has changed so many people’s lives.
It’s not just about ending inflammation, but it helps fight so many diseases. Cancer is being studied heavily right now because the cold is able to stop or drastically slow down the growth of tumors. I also haven’t been sick since I started, and I used to catch every cold!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Yes, I am very passionate about helping to spread Wims’ message so don’t hesitate to ask.
And if I don’t know the answer I’ll run it by the man himself. He was the guinea pig for all these years for us. If you don’t know of his accomplishments I highly recommend you go down that rabbit hole.
Contact Info:
- Website: ericindacold.com
- Instagram: @Eric_In_Da_Cold
- Facebook: Eric Ruiter
- Other: https://linktr.ee/ericindacold?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=d2cce470-5f02-4a9e-bda7-14cc2ad83517
