Faster, Stronger, Safer, Saner: The Power of Breath Training with Coach Andre Hamm
After suffering a concussion at Mt. Hood, slopestyle skier and Olympic hopeful Andre Hamm withdrew from sports and life. Breathwork brought him back. Today, Andre is a professional coach who teaches athletes how to train their breath for peak physical and mental performance, in the gym and outdoors.
In summer of 2017, slopestyle skier and Olympic hopeful Andre Hamm was at Mt. Hood, Oregon teaching young rippers when he decided to take a warm up run without a helmet. Coming off a rail, he got caught in slush and hit his head on the hard snow. “I just had these consistent symptoms of a headache, of feeling like things weren’t right,” says Andre during a conversation with OTM’s Ben Van Treese.
The concussion symptoms and fear of further injury led Andre to stop skiing and playing in the mountains. He started to feel depressed and anxious.
During this dark time, Andre discovered breath training. “For me, it started as a way to stay sane,” he says. “I needed 20 minutes a day of just doing breathwork, getting some perspective on my life.”
Andre began studying the Wim Hof method, known for its combination of breathwork and cold exposure training. Intentional breathing enabled Andre to overcome his anxiety about returning to the slopes. He is once again skiing, mountain biking, skateboarding, and climbing—and teaching everything he has learned as the head of ReSpirit Wellness.
Certified in Wim Hof Method, XPT Performance Breathing, and BREATHE, Andre has a wealth of knowledge. In this conversation, you’ll learn about the science of breath and pick up techniques you can start using immediately to manage fear and stress in tough situations.
Best of all, Andre is teaching a four-part breath training series at OTM, "Breathing for Mountain Athletes: Strength and Endurance," starting October 22. Click here to sign up.
Here are some highlights from the conversation:
“Getting high on your own supply” of endorphins (6:16)
“A lot of the time, we have that heightened sense of fear or anxiety for a reason” (10:08)
The Physiological Sigh, a technique for regaining composure. Take a double inhale through the nose followed by a long, slow exhale through the mouth (10:42).
Dr. Belisa Vranich and The Breathing IQ, a way to test the quality of your breathing. Click the link for step-by-step directions with photos (13:23).
The brace, a breath-based technique that protects your spine during heavy lifts (14:05).
Metabo Reflex: When your body diverts blood from your legs to breathing muscles (15:32).
The O2Trainer, former UFC Heavyweight Champion Bas Rutten’s breath training tool.
Visit https://www.respiritwellness.com/ to connect with Andre Hamm.
For questions about Andre’s seminar at OTM, visit the event page: https://www.respiritwellness.com/events/breathing-for-mountain-athletes-strength-and-endurance
