Up for a challenge? This CEO starts every day in an ice bath
“The pain when I first hit the water is excruciating,” says frntlne’s founder. So why does he do it? Mark John answers our Time Out Q&A.
Mark John is chief executive and founder of frntlne, an edtech company that helps train retail, hospitality and pharmacy staff. He lives in Melbourne.
How did you get into taking ice baths?
A mate first introduced me to them a few years back during a scorcher of a day in Melbourne when my aircon had broken down and I was complaining about the heat. What started as a little fun has now turned into a daily ritual.
There are easier ways to wake up. “But every time I step into the icy water, it’s a little victory against my natural inclination to stay warm and cosy,” says Mark John.
Why do you do it?
I have dark skin, was born in the tropics, and reach for a jumper when it is 25 degrees. Ice baths are not my natural habitat. I do it because it’s completely outside my comfort zone and at the end I feel a great sense of achievement. The pain when I first hit the water and ice is excruciating, and tests my mental resilience. It’s like this exhilarating personal challenge that wakes up every part of me – especially the parts that I didn’t even know could feel cold. But every time I step into the icy water, it’s a little victory against my natural inclination to stay warm and cosy. It’s a reminder that I can push past my limits, embrace something completely different and not only survive but actually thrive.
What are the health benefits?
For me, the mental challenge and stimulation of overcoming the initial burn is a huge benefit. After each ice bath, I feel amazingly alert and switched on. It also seems to speedily revive my short-term memory.
Do you combine it with any other health-related activities?
Most pre-gym workouts are caffeinated beverages – mine is an ice bath. I also practise daily meditation, which my grandmother taught me many years ago.
John in his office. After an ice bath, “I feel amazingly alert and switched on,” he says.
How often do you do it and for how long?
It’s part of my morning routine and follows my meditation. I usually go for about 10 minutes at a time, more on weekends, always with the temperature at about 2 degrees. I will occasionally get an extra one in for the day if I need a mental reset or something to give me a boost. We have a number of international clients and partners, so it is not uncommon for me to be still doing Zoom meetings at 11pm. I don’t think I could manage the concentration or fresh appearance on camera without a pre-meeting ice bath to wake me up and get me in the zone.
Do you ever meditate during an ice bath?
Yes. Often. It’s the only way for me to get through the first 60 seconds. I usually spend the rest of the session practising breathing exercises. I am blown away when I see people online talking, laughing or singing in an ice bath – I need to focus and be silent; otherwise, I could cry.
Do you ever alternate with a warm-water bath or sauna session?
Sometimes, yes. Love it. In the ’80s one of my mates had a cold plunge and a sauna, which I thought was crazy at the time, but looking back, he was ahead of the curve.
Do you have a high-tech tub set-up?
No, very low-fi: freeze, smash, suffer. I have a giant freezer on my rooftop full of five-kilo ice blocks, and I grab six to eight of them every morning, and attack them with an ice pick.
Thoughts on Wim Hof, the extreme athlete noted for his ability to withstand low temperatures?
What a legend! Caveman vibes. The first time I did a Wim Hof breathing exercise, I did 50 push-ups in a row; my previous record had been about three.
What’s your most meaningful experience during an ice bath?
Seeing God? Seriously, I’m not sure I have had one. As much as I am an advocate, most days I can’t wait to get out, to be honest.
John spends up to 10 minutes in a bath with a water temperature of just 2 degrees.
What do people say when you tell them you take ice baths?
They walk away or just shake their heads in bemusement, especially when I tell them about the set-up I have at home.
What does your partner think of it?
My wife, Maria, thinks I’m a moron, which is largely accurate. She’s also the beneficiary of a wet bathroom and towels all over the house. Oh, and wet footmarks on the floorboards. Oh, and the 5am wake-ups ... the list goes on (although, now that we have a newborn, she is often up at 5am anyway).
Any hazards to be aware of?
A couple of times I’ve almost slipped getting in, which is not ideal with a bathtub full of broken ice blocks and freezing water.
Can you get addicted to it?
Totally. I would call myself an ice-bath addict, in a positive kind of way.
lifeandleisure@afr.com
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