“Growing up, I was fascinated by Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan movies. In fifth grade, I joined a karate summer camp, hoping to learn martial arts, but it turned out to be mostly watching fight movies and observing seniors. Disappointed, I dropped out.

After my 10th exams, I joined a martial arts academy. My first session was so intense that I couldn’t sleep due to body pain. I even thought of quitting, but I pushed myself to continue. That was the start of my fitness journey. I trained in Kung Fu for ten years and earned a third-degree black belt. Soon, I started competing, participating in 56 competitions across India and winning 55 of them. The only match I lost was my first one in 1999. Determined to improve my overall fitness, I trained rigorously for eight months and never lost a fight again.

Martial arts wasn’t widely recognised back then, and there was little support. While pursuing Engineering in Electrical and Electronics at Anwar Uloom College (2003–2007), I juggled training, studies, and competitions. Alongside, I studied French at RK Math and completed two levels.

In 2009, during a training session, my partner accidentally punched me while I was wearing glasses. The impact shattered the lenses, cutting my eyelid so badly that it was hanging down to my chin. I rushed to Sarojini Devi Hospital at 2:30 AM for emergency surgery. A week later, doctors found a tiny glass piece still inside, requiring another operation. I spent 12 days in the hospital for the recovery. My father urged me to stop my training and focus on getting a job.

I applied for an IT job and got selected at HSBC on my first attempt. I worked there for 12 years while continuing my martial arts training. By 2011, I began training others. I noticed people in IT found gym workouts monotonous, so I designed a fitness program combining martial arts, kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, and Kung Fu. I started freelancing and built a dedicated client base.

Over the years, I faced multiple injuries—ligament tears, hairline fractures, and more. I visited almost every physio in Hyderabad but wanted solutions I could use at home. A major bike accident left me with a third-grade ligament tear in my right wrist. I couldn’t even do a push-up. A physio suggested contrast therapy—alternating warm and cold water. This led me to research cold exposure, and I discovered the Wim Hof Method.

I immersed myself in books and videos, realising how well-documented foreign techniques were. But I also saw how Indian traditional wellness methods weren’t marketed properly. I travelled to Thailand to train with a Wim Hof-certified instructor, staying for a month to experience ice baths and breathwork workshops. Later, I trained in Dubai under breath control and ice therapy experts. My personal best? 18 minutes in 0-degree ice water.

In June 2023, I launched Iceman India—the first mobile ice bath therapy setup in India. The key difference? We use drinking water and maintain hygiene by changing the water and ice for every client.

One of my first clients told me he had the best sleep in years after an ice bath session. Many experience pain relief and mental clarity. The biggest challenge is educating people—some assume staying longer is better, but the key benefits happen in the first two to three minutes. After that, it’s about training the mind and body.

Ice baths aren’t just for fitness; they enhance wellness, productivity, and even help with childhood trauma. The dopamine release during ice baths has a significant impact.

We conduct regular sessions in Hyderabad with a facility at Narsingi and mobile sessions where we bring a tub and 130 kg of ice cubes to the client’s location.

Last year, I conducted an ice bath workshop in Thailand for Elite Fight Club, where fighters saw improved performance. I’ll be doing another workshop there this March. One aspect people rarely discuss is autism—clients with autism have shown remarkable improvement in calmness after ice bath therapy.

My ultimate goal is to teach people the right way to do ice baths and make it a part of their lives. It’s not just about endurance—it’s about centring yourself, letting go of fears, and improving overall well-being.”

— Shaik Azgar Sultan, Founder, Iceman India