Walruses are a struggle to break down barriers of body and mind. Episode 21

Monika Rachtan:
I'd like you to tell our viewers in a few words what you do for a living, although this can be difficult as you are a scientist, researcher and expert in the field of walruses, which expose your body and mind to extremely cold temperatures.

Valerjan Romanowski:
I am definitely interested in the effects of cold on our body, both on the body and on the psyche. I study how the body reacts to contact with cold, what effects it has on the body after such contact. I am also interested in defining the limits of the human body and, above all, the psyche. It turns out that these boundaries are completely different than we thought, which is why I am undertaking various projects and records in connection with walruses.

Monika Rachtan:
Of course, this is really serious research. But you're not just researching the cold, you've also broken many Guinness World Records that involve extreme exposure of the body and mind to the cold.

Valerjan Romanowski:
Yes, I have completed at least 20 different projects. Not every one of them ended with a Guinness record or a world record. But I have more than 10 confirmed records to my credit, both Guinness and world records. One of the more interesting records is that I was the first person in the world to spend more than three hours in the ice. But this is just one of the projects. I also participated in a project where I rode my bike in temperatures of minus 170 degrees. This seemed impossible, but it was made possible thanks to a cryogenic chamber. In addition, I have been walrushing at minus 120 degrees, in air temperature. It's an amazing experience that feels like stepping into icy water. These are just some of my projects, and I hope to have many more interesting challenges ahead of me.

Monika Rachtan:
It's really fascinating. But going back to the walruses that are available to our viewers, a lot of people started walrusing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you think it was a good phenomenon that so many people were persuaded to do this activity?

Valerjan Romanowski:
I remember this period very well, because at that time I was in Lapland and lived by the rivers for 50 days. At that time the phone was ringing non-stop and people were asking why walrting was so good and what effects it had on the body. That's when I found out that walrushing had become hugely popular in Poland. It was a real scourge of walruses due to the pandemic.

Monika Rachtan:
Yes, this is true.

Valerjan Romanowski:
I think this was influenced by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, and also by the fact that contact with nature was one of the few permitted ways to spend time outdoors. This led to a huge interest in walruses and many people began their adventure with the cold.

Monika Rachtan:
However, some treated walruses as an alternative leisure activity. This was often accompanied by alcohol consumption and parties at lakes or rivers. Does such walrushing also have benefits?

Valerjan Romanowski:
Yes, unfortunately, we notice that society abuses alcohol and the problem is often downplayed. When a person is addicted, they often try not to admit it and say that it is only occasionally. That is why we put a lot of emphasis on not combining alcohol consumption with walruses. We run various educational campaigns and I myself am an ambassador for the DKMS Foundation. During the International Walrus Rally, we give numerous lectures on the negative effects of alcohol, especially in the context of walruses. We have also created educational films in which we share the testimonies of people who have managed to overcome their addictions thanks to cold water.

Monika Rachtan:
This is very important. Walrus bathing is becoming a form of therapy for many people.

Valerjan Romanowski:
Exactly. That's why we are now focusing on studying how cold water and cold stimulus affect our psyche and mental health. We are seeing many positive effects. My next book is coming out soon entitled. 'Cold Therapy', which contains many testimonies of people for whom cold water has become a key factor in helping them recover from their addictions. I also run a support group for addicts, which was started by Kenny, a former alcoholic and drug addict. Through bathing in ice-cold water, he found a peace of mind that he couldn't experience otherwise. This proves that cold and cold stimulus can calm our minds. Our research is still ongoing.

Monika Rachtan:
I saw the table of contents of your upcoming book 'Cold Therapy' on your Facebook profile. There seem to be a lot of people involved who have contributed to the book. Could you tell us more about this project?

Valerjan Romanowski:
This book is my third publication on the subject. We wanted it to be unique, so it contains many testimonies from different people. There are 15 or 16 testimonies in total, which cover different aspects of cold therapy. They tell the stories of people with depression, drug or alcohol addiction. Each testimony is unique and touches on different topics, showing the diversity of the effects of cold stimulus on people.

Monika Rachtan:
I would still like to return to the subject of walruses, one that our viewers may have opted for during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people who tried walruses for the first time may have done it incorrectly. Tell our viewers how to prepare for such first-time walruses and how to walrus in order to do it according to the art.

Valerjan Romanovski:
In our approach, we avoid classifying walruses as 'correct' or 'incorrect'. Our aim is to connect people through the experience of the cold. We call this 'conscious walrusing'. This means that we seek to understand how the cold affects our body and how it reacts. Education is key to understanding the limits of safety. Our approach is to take an informed approach to walruses, rather than avoiding them. Learning about the possible risks and benefits allows us to better exploit the potential of the cold.

Monika Rachtan:
However, I would like to return to my question. Suppose someone wants to try walruses for the first time. Should he or she go to a doctor first and do some tests to make sure it is safe for him or her?

Valerjan Romanovski:
In my approach, walrting is not considered an extreme activity. I do not believe that a young, physically active and healthy person needs to see a doctor before starting walruses. The exception may be those with existing medical conditions or doubts about their health. Older people or those taking regular medication should consult a doctor. There are certain conditions that may affect whether walrting is suitable. For example, a person with high blood pressure may need some adjustments. However, it is worth striving to understand that walrushing is an activity that is accessible to virtually everyone.

Valerjan Romanovski:
If someone comes to me to start their walrus adventure, I offer an individual approach. I prepare the person mentally so that they know what awaits them in the water, and I avoid these reactions being a surprise. During the walruses, I maintain contact and observe how the person reacts. We act together, adapting to her needs. Every person has a different way of reacting to the cold, and this is normal.

Monika Rachtan:
We talked about special groups of people who should consult a doctor before walruses, such as people with certain medical conditions. Can a pregnant woman walrus?

Valerjan Romanovski:
A pregnant woman should always consult her gynaecologist. There are pregnant women who walrus, provided there are no contraindications identified by a doctor. Usually such people do not stay in the water for long periods of time, which minimises the risk of hypothermia for the foetus. There are many factors to take into account, and each case is different. However, in many cases, walrting during pregnancy can be safe, provided the doctor's advice is followed.

Monika Rachtan:
We know that your approach to raising your child differs from the standard norm. Could you share this approach with us?

Valerjan Romanovski:
Yes, we are raising our child in the spirit of the Scandinavian approach, which includes contact with the cold from an early age. Our son had his first trip to Lapland when he was one and a half months old. He participates in various outdoor activities, even in very cold temperatures. We aim to ensure that our child does not perceive the cold as something negative, but as part of life.

Monika Rachtan:
We have talked about the first walrus and what body reactions are normal. Can you tell us which of these reactions are considered normal and which might be abnormal?

Valerjan Romanovski:
All the body's reactions to walruses are normal, as our body works smart and adapts to the cold. The first reaction is often fear or reluctance to enter the water, which is natural. Once in the water, the body reacts by centralising the circulation, leading to a feeling of pain in the toes and feet. Accelerated breathing is also a normal reaction. As time passes, these reactions cease, allowing us to enjoy the cold.

Valerjan Romanovski:
It is important to understand that these reactions are natural processes that vary from person to person. The key is awareness and control to get the most out of the cold experience.

Monika Rachtan:
Such classic images of walruses, which we also see on TV, are people wearing hats, scarves, getting into the icy water, sometimes wearing special shoes, and you don't use all these things. Why?

Valerjan Romanovski:
A few years ago, during the organisation of the first Polish championship in walruses, we interviewed the Polish champion on the radio and at that time publicly emphasised that knowledge about walruses in society is insufficient. Walruses can look different, and walrus practitioners are often burdened with many myths about the cold. How do these myths affect us? What myths can be mentioned? For example, it is suggested not to immerse the hands, claiming that we get colder through the hands, or that we should enter at heart level and not immerse the head. All this information is myths, resulting from a lack of knowledge. Therefore, I believe that there are some mistakes in the way people who start walruses are trained. A newcomer to the club is often immediately constrained by a lot of rules, which creates a fear of doing something they shouldn't do, which may harm them. A person with this fear and restriction passes these misconceptions on to other people. This is why we often see 90% in a walrus group standing in the water with their hands up, wearing caps and not submerging their heads. Our approach, which we promote as more conscious, is different.

Valerjan Romanovski:
In fact, most people come to the bathing area to simply have fun in the water, doing different activities such as jumping off the pier or diving. How can you do this without submerging your hands or head? This is fun, but it also introduces some limitations. That's why we approach it a little differently.

Monika Rachtan:
When people who want to enter icy water for the first time come to you, with what purpose do they do so?

Valerjan Romanovski:
The reasons vary, and it is not always necessary to analyse these purposes in detail. Some people get into the water to take a photo and upload it to Facebook, and this is acceptable, especially in large groups where there is a social aspect. Membership of such a group is important. I think that is also important. However, some people want to improve their health, not just physically. Since we have so much information about how cold affects our bodies, there is now more of a focus on understanding how it affects our psyche and mental health. These people are seeing that it helps them and are starting to continue this practice. However, it is important to remember that there is more to health than just one activity, such as walruses.

Monika Rachtan:
What else needs to be done?

Valerjan Romanovski:
We need to take a holistic approach to looking after our bodies, including what we eat, how we recover both physically and mentally. When we add walruses to this, it becomes part of our thermal approach. It's important that we look at what we drink and what we eat. A holistic approach to our bodies makes us healthier. This cannot be limited to just one activity, like walrushing.

Monika Rachtan:
And what is your health like? How long have you been dabbling?

Valerjan Romanovski:
I have never described myself as a 'walrus'. I rather experiment with the cold and it is not always water-related. In my opinion, it is a good idea to start your cold weather adventure with dry walruses. This term refers to the effect of cold air on our bodies. For example, I walk around all year round in a T-shirt and sandals, dressed in an unusual way, which I don't mind. As a result, I achieve a higher tolerance to the cold, as our society often over-warms itself. This is also evident in children, where over-protectors try to dress them for the cold, which often leads to overheating and illness. Contact with cold air is therefore advisable and simpler than wallowing in icy water. It does not always have to be cold air, but, for example, a change of clothing during everyday activities, such as filling up the car or going out to the station in a vest, for a few minutes. This stimulates our body and gets us going. A cyclical approach to this type of activity leads to a change in our perception of the cold. Our reaction becomes different, we are more resilient, we get sick less and the cold stops surprising us. We are able to cope with it because our body is ready for it.

Monika Rachtan:
How do you feel about being ill, Valerian? When was the last time you had a cold?

Valerjan Romanovski:
I have lived in Poland for 30 years. In fact, I can't remember the last time I was sick. I have never had to visit my family doctor. However, my body is systematically stressed. In one week I can be in environments with a temperature difference of 100 degrees. I am soon off to Dubai for a training course where I will be teaching. On arrival, I enter the thermoclimatic chamber at the polytechnic, where we spend an hour and a half in a perceptible temperature of -65 degrees Celsius. This intense exposure to various stimuli puts quite a strain on my body. It is important to understand that this intense exposure to cold and physical activity can lower the body's immunity. This is not as simple as it might seem. The popular belief is that walrushing boosts immunity, which is true to a certain extent, but excess can also weaken the body. Therefore, regeneration is equally important. If I notice that my immunity is weakened, I take intense care of my sleep, change my eating habits and sometimes reach for supplements. I can take care of my body, which is why I don't experience any injuries.

Valerjan Romanovski:
I don't usually get sick because I am aware of my health.

Monika Rachtan:
You spoke earlier about the health benefits of walruses. You mentioned the benefits for the body and soul, but I would like to focus on the health aspect as we are on the Patient First programme. Are there any diseases or ailments common in society that can be helped by walrting? Obviously, we're not talking about replacing hypertension medication with cold water, but do you know of stories of people who have been ill and experienced an improvement in their condition thanks to walruses?

Valerjan Romanovski:
You make a good point that walruses are not a panacea for illness. We should not forgo doctor's visits and medication in favour of icy water. Nevertheless, cold can support and complement therapy. That is why I refer again to my forthcoming book, in which I present 15 testimonies of people who have benefited from walruses. Each of these stories is supported by evidence of how the cold brought relief. In my first book, I also discuss various aspects of walruses and present the results of research carried out in collaboration with scientists from the Academy of Physical Education in Krakow and the Krakow University of Technology, which confirms the benefits of the cold. To give an example, we found out that cold has a beneficial effect on masculinity. This could be an additional motivator to start walruses. Of course, there are many health benefits associated with walruses, which have been confirmed both in my book and in scientific studies conducted in cooperation with the Academy of Physical Education in Krakow.

Monika Rachtan:
I read in an article or saw in one of your videos that someone said walruses are addictive, but with a smile on their face. Where does this come from, this mechanism?

Valerjan Romanovski:
Walrus addiction can be divided into several aspects. For example, there are people who have recovered from various addictions such as drugs, alcohol or depression. They often get involved in walruses. It is worth noting that these people who start a new sport, which they have not done before, may be inclined to over-intensify their activity. This can be dangerous because the body has never experienced such stress. That's why, as I've mentioned before, I run a support group with people recovering from addictions. I help them control and set boundaries to avoid overdoing it.

Monika Rachtan:
Is it possible to overdo walruses?

Valerjan Romanovski:
Of course, as with many other things. It is the same with physical exercise. Physical activity is recommended, but there are certain limits that must not be exceeded. This is why I always aim to make walrushing a conscious approach. There are some people who test their limits and try to break their own records. I even run Polish walrus championships, but it is important to remember that such sport and extreme walruses should be conducted under the supervision of paramedics. There is a limit that we should not cross.

Monika Rachtan:
You are working with a team of professionals who care about your safety. Do you sometimes think that a project is too extreme and dangerous for your health? However, do you challenge yourself to complete it?

Valerjan Romanovski:
10 years ago it seemed that many projects were absurd and impossible, but it turned out that they were feasible. The psyche has to mature for such a challenge. I always tell myself that if I'm able to plan a project, understand the execution and consistency, then I'm capable of completing it. If the opportunity presents itself, taking on the challenge is almost mandatory. An example is my project where I experienced the biggest temperature difference in a day.

Monika Rachtan:
What was the temperature difference?

Valerjan Romanovski:
The difference was 240 degrees. I started cycling at minus 170 degrees and finished at plus 75 degrees. It was an amazing experience. In addition, I consumed a variety of products, also in frozen form, while staying in negative temperatures in the cryogenic chamber. This was another challenge.

Monika Rachtan:
What feelings accompany eating so cold?

Valerjan Romanovski:
You have to learn to eat such frozen food, because it is not easy at all. The difficulty depends on the water content of the food in question. For example, an ice cube at minus 150 degrees requires some eating skills. There are special eating techniques to avoid the ice sticking to the mouth, a process that is worth mastering. I teach these skills at the Cracow University of Technology during sessions in low-temperature chambers. In these conditions, we also learn how the body reacts to the cold and how it restores the right temperature. It's a process that needs to be understood.

Monika Rachtan:
You mentioned the projects you have worked on. Is there a project you are particularly proud of? Could you name your biggest success from the last 10 years?

Valerjan Romanovski:
Every project is different and brings something of value. Each also affects our psyche. However, what I value most are the projects that required us to step back or rethink our approach. It is from such projects that we learn the most, even if they are not completely successful.

Monika Rachtan:
Could you give an example of such a project?

Valerjan Romanovski:
Of course, there have been many such projects. I once tried to break the Guinness World Record for cycling for 12 hours, but had to abort the attempt because of the changeable weather. I later made another attempt and broke the record for cycling the highest elevation in a day. However, after 20 hours I had to give up. This experience made me analyse why the pace could not be maintained. It turned out that the body needed much more energy to maintain the right temperature in cold weather, which affected my performance. Conclusions from such trials help to better understand the body and prepare for future projects.

Monika Rachtan:
It's interesting that these scientific experiments can also be useful for practitioners, such as paramedics, right?

Valerjan Romanovski:
Yes, it is true. By organising the Polish walrus championships, we contribute to research into the body's reactions to prolonged exposure to cold water. In emergency situations, such as the Titanic disaster, such knowledge can be extremely useful. First aid often comes after a long time, so being able to persevere in cold water greatly increases the chances of survival. It is worth gaining experience in assessing the state of hypothermia and the skills to restore proper body temperature. This allows you to help those in need more quickly and effectively.

Monika Rachtan:
You are currently preparing for a major project, which we have tentatively named 'Titanic'. Could you share some information about it with us? What exactly will this project be and what is its purpose?

Valerjan Romanovski:
The 'Titanic' project has been a long time in the making and will soon be realised. The project involves a group of about 10 people who have no previous experience of dealing with the cold. For six months we will prepare these people to understand how the cold affects the body, what the reactions are and what our limits are. In January, we will simulate the Titanic disaster in the Baltic Sea, with all participants entering the icy water dressed as people from that time. We will show that with knowledge and experience we can survive longer and safely in such conditions.

Monika Rachtan:
It's an interesting project because similar situations still happen. Maybe not to the same extent as the Titanic, but people still die in cold water. If they had the knowledge of how to behave, the chances of survival would be much higher.

Valerjan Romanovski:
Exactly. Having the knowledge of how the body reacts to the cold can significantly extend the time spent in cold water and increase the chances of survival. It all depends on our mental attitude. If panic and fear take over us, the body cools down faster. This is why it is so important to train the mind for extreme conditions.

Monika Rachtan:
You are a media person because you produce videos that you publish on your YouTube channel. What is your mission? Why do you do all this?

Valerjan Romanovski:
As I have already mentioned, our knowledge of the cold is insufficient. As a society, we often have a negative attitude towards cold. We hear a lot of information in the media that creates a negative image of the cold. For example, when we hear on the radio that it is cold and unpleasant and the temperature is minus 5 degrees, a negative view of the cold immediately pops into our heads. However, cold does not have to be unpleasant if we understand the phenomenon. Even contact with temperatures of minus 20 or minus 50 degrees can be pleasant, because we can benefit from it and gain a lot. I sometimes compare this to our approach to heat. When it is warm and hot, we know what steps to take to cool down, we take off our clothes, we seek shade, we drink something cooling. These actions help us survive the heat. It is the same with the cold. We need to understand the cold and approach it differently.

Monika Rachtan:
You said earlier that you've been in Poland for 30 years, so you probably weren't born here. Can you say where you came from? What was your path to where you are now?

Valerjan Romanovski:
I was born in Vilnius, in the Vilnius region, to a Polish family. I started my adventure with extreme conditions with cycling. It was from cycling that it all started. I broke the Guinness World Record in cycling. Then I decided to face the cold and see if I could beat it. I carried out expeditions to Siberia, to Yakutia, to the coldest villages.

Monika Rachtan:
What exactly did you do in Yakutia?

Valerjan Romanovski:
I felt like tackling the cold and tried to beat it. However, I soon realised that fighting the cold was a mistake. The cold cannot be defeated, especially in the Siberian conditions where the temperature dropped to minus 50 degrees. We have to learn to live with the cold, cooperate with it and harness its potential. In Siberia, I experienced humility in the face of the cold, which sparked my interest in the subject. To this day, I remain fascinated by the cold and believe that we can derive many benefits from it.

Monika Rachtan:
You said that everyone has their limits. Do you think there are limits to the human body and mind when it comes to the cold?

Valerjan Romanovski:
Yes, everyone has their own limits because everyone's physique is different. Everyone has to define their own limits. When it comes to cold-related world records, these limits are unknown. I used to think that spending an hour in icy water was already an exceptional achievement, but it turns out that you can achieve much more. It seems to me that our psyche and mind have more potential than our body. Our psyche decides what our body can afford to do. That's why working on the mind is more important than physical fitness alone.

Monika Rachtan:
Do you think it is worth pushing boundaries that seem impossible to reach? If so, what are the benefits of such attempts?

Valerjan Romanovski:
It is worth experimenting and pushing the boundaries. The longer we think about taking on a challenge, the more our psyche hesitates. That's why it's important to make quick decisions. It is worth finding a club or group of people who walrus and joining them. To start with, all you need is a towel with you. Also, good physical condition and mental preparation are crucial to enjoy walruses and avoid possible health problems.