So far, he said his most extreme effort was braving -10C for seven hours, stripped to the waist in hiking boots and running shorts. He says he can withstand floating in icy water for up to 15 minutes. In recent years, "cold exposure therapy," such as ice baths and swimming in frozen lakes, has gained global popularity. For Stevanovic, although his initial inspiration was the spiritual practices of Tibetan monks, the general appeal of icy plunges is a little less mystical — overwhelming shock of "extreme cold." "When you put cold water on you, it is very unpleasant for the first one or two seconds, and then you get very relaxed.

Source: Philippine Star February 15, 2026 08:44 UTC