Have you ever wondered why three grown men would willingly leave the warmth of their beds at 0530 on a Sunday to take a cold plunge at Coogee Beach?
I don’t blame you. Cold exposure has become a ritual of mine, particularly before my gym training sessions. Let me share the lead-up to this seemingly crazy adventure and why we decided to embark on it.
As I transitioned into working from home full-time, I felt unsettled by the lack of social connectivity that an office environment provided. The days started to blend, and I knew I needed a routine to maintain my mental health. Drawing from past morning rituals, I incorporated something new (cold exposure) into my routine, leading to this memorable experience.
The above video by Andrew Huberman was an eye-opening one that inspired me to try to optimise my morning routine, and I’m pleased to report it’s working thus far! (See 11mins in for the cold exposure section)
The motivation behind the Beach Plunge:
Two primary motivators drove us to take on this beach plunge. It started with the suggestion of doing an ice bath, but then we thought, why not go to the beach instead? When did you last do something that sounded crazy, defying your logical brain’s objections? We all decided to push ourselves and go for it, and we’re so glad we did.
In the video, you’ll witness Dylan’s role as the hype man, motivating us to take the plunge even if we initially resisted. Having a supportive friend by your side, urging you to face challenges, can be truly transformative. Then there’s Tim, the organizer, who had doubts but eventually committed and realized the experience wasn’t as bad as he anticipated. As for me, my mindset was focused on conquering my mind and resistance. And lastly, thank you to my lovely partner Juema for providing moral support, a hug and a warm cup of coffee when you are back in the car driving home. You can see in the video how we played our parts, each relating to different aspects of the experience.
*Excuse the french, it was cold indeed :p
Final Thoughts and a Challenge
Reflecting on this experience, I encourage you to ask yourself when the last time was that you stepped out of your comfort zone to do something crazy. Whether you embrace the role of the hype person, the connector, the quietly confident, or the supporter, there’s something remarkable about taking on these roles. Embrace the opportunity to challenge yourself and experience personal growth.
One love,
Trevor