2012 - 2019 Special Forces & Investment Banking

After a very difficult time in school I was left with no confidence & guidance. Through my curiosity and certainly the need to prove myself to the outside world, through immense effort, I made it into the Special Forces of the Austrian Army. I didn’t feel good being there, I literally tortured myself with the illusion that this will fill the big hole inside of me. My life continued like that. I wanted to become an Investment Banke r but I understood only later in life that this was just a compensation strategy. 2018 I quit . 7 years later, I have absolutely no regret’s. Life only just begun..

2016 - 2018 Psychedelics & the Wim Hof Method

The irresponsibly use of psychedelics almost killed me. BUT it also somehow woke me up, even though it wasn’t in a nice way. Of course I had no idea what I was doing and I certainly wouldn’t recommend this to anyone. Only later in life, after years of studying plant medicine I slowly started to understand the meaning behind set & setting. A view months later I discovered by accident the Wim Hof breathing which literally changed my life . I didn’t know anything about Wim or Breathwork. But this profound experience made me studying the Method and initiated the starting point of an intense journey of self discovery. 7 years later I have supported Wim many times in his personal expeditions and was invited to teach at the Wim Hof Academy.

2018 - 2020 2 years with a Buddhist Monk & walking across Europe

The Wim Hof Method started a journey to my inner world, but it also didn’t stop there . For almost two years I studied buddhism & meditation with a Japanese monk. Every morning I got up at 4am cycled 30 minutes to the temple and participated in the daily 90 minutes morning meditation. I learned about their rituals, their lifestyle and way of spreading their dharma. Inspired from their walking meditation practice around the whole world I decided to walk across Eastern Europe towards India merely with my tent & backpack. I walked until the border of serbia & bosnia when life hit me as it never hit me before .

2019 Life can be unbelievably painful. The event that changed my life

I will never forget the phone call that changed my life forever. A very close Person within my family committed suicide. Its hard to describe what we went through but these times of darkness carry also a strong light within them . For me it was a wake up call: „Stop running away from life and take the responsibility for the gifts that have been given to you. Start to share your light with the world!“ This event is the reason why I started teaching Workshops & Retreats.

2018 - 2022 Studying with Laird Hamilton & Ido Portal

I traveled all over the world to train and learn from people that inspired me deeply. 2018 I flew to California to study with Laird Hamilton and learn about his approach to Breathwork, Apnoe, Co2 & Water Training. 2019 – 2022 Ido Portal. For three years I studied Ido portal’s Movement approach, 2021 I spent two full months with Ido in person, which left me with deep insides and big open questions. A long the way I met many so called gurus or maestros, but they are all “just” human beings who try to figure out life. To take responsibility for one’s own life by starting to trust oneself is very difficult & scary yet the path into freedom.

2016 - 2024 Plant Wisdom and healing ceremonies

Engaging with plant medicine is a very tricky path. I would describe it as walking on the edge of life . For many years I believed everyone should do it and it will heal the world. Years later I recommend people to be super careful about it and to approach it with great responsibility and careful consideration. Yet it helped me tremendously in my life and I am forever grateful to this experiences.

2022 - 2024 Trauma Therapy & Men‘s Work

I was one of those who thought they have no traumas and everything was great in their childhood and youth. One of the tricky things about trauma is that it makes you forget what really happened. It changes the way how you perceive world and usually shows itself in our very close relationships. This years have been mainly devoted to understanding, feeling & relieving specific traumatic experiences from my past with amazing facilitators in very supportive and safe environments. I also participated in a year long archetypal journey with a group of men. This was as well a truly eye opening experience on many levels.

2024+ Founding a Start-up

Founding a Start Up is a super challenging and demanding journey. Everything I learned in the past years is truly being tested. It is the perfect opportunity for testing one’s personal development skills in the real world. Together with a beautiful team we are developing an app that helps us to navigate and learn about our emotional states. The app is called: myLumii.

2019 - 2024 My business journey

When I started this path I told myself: I give myself 5 years to see where this is leading me. All the years I never focused on creating a business, but on doing real deep research about myself, life, the approaches and methods I am interested in. I wanted to teach from a place of authenticity and experience which takes time, failure and dedication. I hosted more than 100 Retreats & Workshops and worked with thousands of people. I learned so much from these teaching experiences and I will continue to explore, heal, share & teach. Searching for truth is a difficult path, but the only one there is, if you are looking for peace & love inside and outside of yourself. On this path there are no quick fixes, magical tools and saviors. It is a path that no one can walk for us, yet we can support each other with gratitude, humbleness & deep compassion.

How can I prepare for the workshop?

Preparation is super important if you want to get really profound effects from the whole thing. Detailed information is sent out before each workshop & retreat. You can find more information about preparation, mind-set & intention on my Instagram channel: https://www.instagram.com/maximilianfreiler/

Is ice bathing possible without previous experience?

I would definitely not recommend getting into an ice bath without adequate preparation. The cold is a powerful tool and I would like to remind you of the wisdom of Spider Man’s uncle: “With great power comes great responsibility”. The cold can free us, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, it can also harm you. YES, that is definitely possible.

How long can I stay in the ice bath?

This is a very individual question. Ice bathing is definitely not a competition. I always say: “The real ice bath is after the ice bath”. By that I mean that ice bathing should simply do you good, so it should be more of a self-love practice than self-flagellation. If you’re shivering warm afterwards or feel cold for hours, it’s probably going in a counterproductive direction.

What should I look out for during breathing sessions?

I can only repeat myself at this point: breathing, like cold, is a powerful tool and “with great power comes great responsibility”. Breathing techniques can liberate us, but if you don’t know what you’re doing, they can also harm you. YES, that is definitely possible. What do I need to watch out for when ice bathing? You can find a detailed explanation on this topic on my Instagram channel: https://www.instagram.com/maximilianfreiler/

Are there any undesirable side effects?

Only if you are not well informed beforehand or know what you are doing. Preparation, a safe space and an approach to these topics can almost completely eliminate unwanted side effects.

Do you also offer individual coaching sessions?

YES. You can find more information here: LINK COACHING

Can children or young people take part?

Participation is possible from the age of 16. I also organize events for teenagers where we dive into the topics of personality development, self-regulation, dealing with your own emotions and an authentic way of life.

Where do the courses & workshops take place?

So far, my courses have taken place in Austria, Germany, Poland, Spain and Portugal.

Do I need previous knowledge?

Previous knowledge is not absolutely necessary. Detailed preparation information is sent out before each event. Some special events require a certain amount of experience, and these are also marked accordingly.

Are there any health requirements?

The Wim Hof method can be practiced by anyone in good health. I always recommend using ice baths with caution and starting with cold showers first, especially if you have a specific medical condition. If you have a serious medical condition, consult a doctor before taking an ice bath or trying the Wim Hof method. It is not recommended to use the Wim Hof Method if you have problems with your heart (e.g. angina pectoris, panic attacks), blood pressure (high blood pressure >160 mmHg) and/or kidneys, asthma, epilepsy, cold urticaria or Raynaud’s syndrome type 2. The Wim Hof method is generally not recommended for pregnant women. You can find more information at www.wimhofmethod.com

Are there also workshops for closed groups?

I have already given a number of private workshops, for more information please send me an e-mail: info@mindfulstrentgh.at

What do I need to bring?

What you need to bring will be sent out by email before each event. Normally you will have everything you need at home.

Max Freiler - Life beyond fear

🔥 Special Forces Training (Austria)

Mindful Warrior Module 1: A PHYSICAL AND MENTAL RESTART.

•⁠ Activate your primal forces and willpower

•⁠ Learn to deal with fear & stress through lived adventures

•⁠ Unlock unknown physical limits safely and consciously

•⁠ Embody the Special Forces mindset: Preparation. Execution. Integration.

Training includes water, heat, cold & height exposure, tactical scenarios and resilience drills to build energy, adaptability, and will.

28. - 30. November 2025

DETAILS & TICKETS

5 seats left

❄️ Official Wim Hof Training (Austria)

Dive deep into the Wim Hof Method and experience an adventurous weekend with activities such as:

•⁠ cold exposure

•⁠ extensive breathing exercises

•⁠ Mindfulness training

•⁠ deep connection to nature and music

•⁠ traditional temazcal ceremony (sweat lodge).

...and more surprises!

5. - 7. December 2025

DETAILS & TICKETS

5 seats left

🏔️ 5-Day Intensive Deep Reset (Poland)

Start the new year consciously with a real-life adventure, the Deep Reset Retreat!

Led by experienced Wim Hof instructors Maximilian Freiler and Michael Nuss, you can expect:

•⁠ climbing Poland's highest mountain in shorts

•⁠ cold exposure adventures

•⁠ extensive breathing exercises

•⁠ Vision Board for 2026 & Integration of 2025

...and many more surprises!

28. December 2025 - 02. January 2026

DETAILS & TICKETS

5 seats left

💨 Altered States of Consciousness (Austria)

Mindful Warrior Module 2

Liberate yourself from limitations of your mind by expanding the doors of perception through:

•⁠ the breath
•⁠ mystical dance, movement & music
•⁠ darkness & heat (traditional sweat-lodge ceremony)
•⁠ lucid dreaming
•⁠ visiting ancient, energetic places

*Inspired by 7+ years of experience with the Wim Hof Method, extensive psychedelic research, ongoing exchange with indigenous tribes and a 3 year study with a Buddhist monk.

16. - 18. January 2026

DETAILS & TICKETS

5 seats left

💨 Altered States of Consciousness (Austria)

🌳 Embodied Awareness (Austria)

Mindful Warrior Module 3: THE BODY'S LANGUAGE OF TRUTH

•⁠ How to cultivate presence, joy and motivation in the everyday life

•⁠ Move from thinking to sensing, from analysis to embodiment

•⁠ Build a sustainable process for awareness, focus, health and physical development

•⁠ Develop sensitivity to perceive the subtle universal physical forces - learn the language of posture, gravity, rhythm and much more.

*Inspired by years of Movement training with Ido Portal, Mixed Martial Arts, the Feldenkrais Method and Somatic Healing.

13. - 15. February 2026

DETAILS & TICKETS

5 seats left

💧 Emotional Mastery (Austria)

Mindful Warrior Module 4: EMOTIONS - THE WARRIOR'S FINAL TRIAL AND GREATEST TEACHER.

•⁠ HOW to shift from emotional reactivity to calm, constructive response

•⁠ HOW to break self-sabotaging patterns and move beyond self-regulation into freedom

•⁠ HOW to awaken from numbness into aliveness

•⁠ HOW to set clear boundaries while cultivating connection and depth

•⁠ HOW to allow vulnerability and reach new level of self-mastery

20. - 22. March 2026

DETAILS & TICKETS

5 seats left

You function. But you feel Empty and Disconnected.

You function. But you feel Empty and Disconnected.

There is a way out of that confusion.

What you feel is true: Life is more than just a soulless grind.

Living in your power, following your purpose and feeling deeply connected to life is your birthright.

But let’s be honest. You’ve drifted far away from yourself and from what truly matters.

And that’s ok. But if you keep going, where is this path leading you?

Life won’t transform by chance – it’s takes clarity, aligned action and companionship.

Be warned: depth and discomfort are part of the journey – they open the door for awareness that heals.

Ready for the initiation you’ve never had?

"Who are the crazy ones? Us? The ones who really enjoy life and get in contact with their feelings, live adventures & build authentic relationships or the ones who just vegetate all their lives?”

Martin

Dentist

“The breathing sessions were much more intense than expected, it was actually very challenging on an emotional level as well as on a physical level. Nevertheless, I felt an incredible development”

Alex

Job / description

“It's an extreme, but a good extreme. Because I'm not running blindly at something, there are people there who really know their stuff, it's a good space to let go & heal”

Jonas

Social worker

„All of that really helps to connect with yourself and stay true to the life that you want. Since then I moved countries, changed roles within my job and become so physical active from having so much energy“

Larisa

Investment Industry, New York City

“It was said at the beginning that if you leave here, you won't be the same. Of course I thought to myself, yes, big words, but it's definitely like that, unbelievable”

Stefan

IT Consultant

THE PATH OF THE MINDFUL WARRIOR

Clients before..

Clients after..

“It was said at the beginning that if you leave here, you won't be the same. Of course I thought to myself, yes, big words, but it's definitely like that, unbelievable”

Stefan

IT Consultant

„All of that really helps to connect with yourself and stay true to the life that you want. Since then I moved countries, changed roles within my job and become so physical active from having so much energy“

Larisa

Investment Industry, New York City

“It's an extreme, but a good extreme. Because I'm not running blindly at something, there are people there who really know their stuff, it's a good space to let go & heal”

Jonas

Social worker

“The breathing sessions were much more intense than expected, it was actually very challenging on an emotional level as well as on a physical level. Nevertheless, I felt an incredible development”

Alex

Job / description

"Who are the crazy ones? Us? The ones who really enjoy life and get in contact with their feelings, live adventures & build authentic relationships or the ones who just vegetate all their lives?”

Martin

Dentist

Mindful Warrior Training

Wim Hof Retreat Center Waldviertel

Wim Hof Retreat Center Waldviertel

Wim Hof Retreat Center Waldviertel

Wim Hof Retreat Center Waldviertel

Is this for you?

Is this for you?

FROM INVESTMENT BANKING INTO FREEDOM AND HEALING

Real Adventures & Personal Development

Frequently asked questions