As a pioneer who has changed paradigms and upset the status quo, Wim Hof has faced years of skepticism and criticism. Early in his career, his groundbreaking method was ridiculed, and his claims were dismissed by the scientific community and the public alike. Not too long ago, Wim and the organization behind his method were sued for 67 million dollars over a tragic incident allegedly involving the Wim Hof Method. Many publications quickly denounced the method as promoting dangerous exercises, but when the lawsuit was dismissed and Wim was vindicated, the more positive news barely made headlines, leaving the public with a distorted image. Despite scientific studies confirming the benefits of his method, the journey has been full of challenges, particularly when media outlets are quick to jump on sensational stories.
Most recently, De Volkskrant published a one-sided narrative of an unhealthy relationship from Wim’s past, portraying a distorted version of events during that period. Wim acknowledges that mistakes were made, particularly in staying in that unhealthy relationship for so long while trying to make things right, which only added to the tension. Wim is deeply saddened by how the situation is being portrayed. The article is based on one-sided and some unreliable sources, while omitting critical perspectives from those who also lived through that period, including Wim’s children.
Laura, Wim’s daughter, has shared her perspective, focusing on the emotional and physical abuse she experienced from Wim’s ex. The difficult period left a lasting impact on her and her siblings. Now, with the recent media portrayal, they are being forced to go through these painful moments once again.
Laura’s account adds critical context to the narrative being spread, offering a fuller picture of what really transpired. She emphasizes that this isn’t just her father’s story—it’s also her own, her siblings’, and the story of everyone who lived through that period. You can see Laura’s full account of these events in this video.
Wim and the organization remain committed to their mission of bringing health, happiness, and strength to the world. We will keep you updated as developments unfold.
Update: October 10
Wim Hof and his four children have filed a lawsuit against the Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant for defamation and slander, following their articles containing serious allegations of domestic violence. The family demands a retraction and compensation.
In the most recent article by De Volkskrant, dated September 28, 2024 and written by Anneke Stoffelen and Robert van de Griend, Wim Hof is portrayed as a perpetrator of domestic abuse. Despite repeated warnings from Hof, via demonstrable proof, that at least one of the sources quoted by the paper was unreliable, De Volkskrant decided to go ahead and give these sources a platform without conducting thorough research.
Sources that contradicted the accusations or provided a completely different perspective were omitted from their article, or only briefly mentioned, contributing to a one-sided portrayal. After publication, De Volkskrant immediately contacted the production company of the feature film about Wim Hof, with their accusations. This led the production company to respond that the project was temporarily put on hold. De Volkskrant then published an article on September 30, 2024, regarding this decision. The newspaper continues to approach other business partners of Wim Hof with the speculative allegations, including publishers of his new books.
The lawsuit will be filed on October 30.
