Wim Hof Experience Day at The Shire

Last weekend, we hosted a transformative Wim Hof Experience Retreat Day at The Shire with Dan from The Breathing Hub. Dan guided the group through a powerful combination of breathwork, cold-water immersion, meditation, and nature-based reflection.

The day was designed to help guests strengthen mental resilience, not by pushing harder, but by learning to be present and release the noise that feeds feelings of overwhelm.

Set on our 150-acre re-wilded countryside retreat, with lakes, woodland trails, a sauna and outdoor spaces for reflection, the retreat embodied our commitment to simple, purposeful wellness experiences that help people reset, reconnect and return to daily life with renewed clarity.

The Challenge:

In a world of constant noise, many people find themselves stuck in loops of overthinking, over-stimulation and intense pressure. Participants arrived feeling what most of us feel at times:

• Busy and overwhelmed after the work week

• Mind elsewhere worrying about things they need to do

• Difficulty switching off

• But they all had a desire for tools that go beyond surface level wellbeing

The goal was to provide a day where they could dip out of mental noise and feel present using breath, movement, nature and cold immersion to experience resilience from the inside out.

What the day entailed:

Session 1- Exploring Mental Resilience

Our facilitator Dan began by reframing resilience, it's not about controlling thoughts, but choosing where we place our energy.

The group explored:

• How overwhelm often comes from predictions and interpretations

• How much clarity returns when we stop feeding the things outside our control

• How presence creates space for better decisions and calmer responses

Through structured reflection and guided conversation, guests learned to untangle their automatic reactions and come back to what’s real and workable right now.

Session 2- Breathwork & Meditation

The morning centred around breathwork and mindfulness practices that helped participants:

• Slow their inner pace

• Observe rather than react

• Let go of unhelpful mental patterns

• Reconnect with their body

This created the foundation for the afternoon’s physical challenges after they enjoyed a seasonal lunch in the farmhouse meeting room

Session 3- Re-connecting with nature

Dan shared that The Shire’s environment was integral for every part of the retreat experience. The group spent time walking around the lakes, grounding themselves in the woodland, and enjoying the peace of being surrounded by nature.

Session 4- Cold Water Immersion & Wild Sauna Session

Cold-lake immersion was the moment the teachings were put to the test.

Participants practised:

• Meeting sensation instead of resisting it

• Remaining calm during discomfort

• Using their breath to regulate the mind and body

After swimming in the lake, the group ran around the property and then warmed up in our Scandinavian sauna. Here whilst relaxing everyone had a chance to reflect and enjoy the shared sense of achievement.

The Outcome:

By the end of the day, guests described feeling:

• Lighter both mentally and physically

• Clearer with less mental noise and more grounded presence

• More connected to themselves and the friends they made in the group

• More capable, having experienced resilience through practice, not just theory

The most powerful takeaway was that nothing dramatic needed to happen for transformation to occur.
Being fully present was the shift.

Every participant left with techniques they could take into daily life: breathing to regulate stress, pausing before reacting, and recognising when they’re feeding thoughts that don’t serve them.

Why This Matters for Teams & Organisations

This type of retreat aligns with a growing need in modern workplaces for team development that supports real wellbeing, real resilience, and real human connection.

The Shire specialises in wellness focused, nature based day retreats for SMEs, B-Corps and purpose-driven businesses seeking meaningful team experiences, all without the disruption of overnight stays and within an hour from London.

The Wim Hof Experience with Dan offers teams:

• Calm nervous system regulation

• Bonding over a shared challenge

• Space for strategic clarity

• A reset from the pace of city and screen life
  
  

  Book A Resilience Day or Corporate Wellness Retreat

  If you'd like to bring your team for a day retreat that combines strategy, wellbeing and authentic connection, we’d love to help you curate a day built around your goals.