Holder of the Guinness World Record for the fastest swim between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Moroccan swimmer Hassan Baraka has pushed the boundaries of mental endurance with each of his adventures since 2009. Beyond the physical achievement, he shares an ever-evolving life story, recounting this second chapter in «The Power of Cold» while exploring themes related to alternative medicine.
World record holder for the fastest crossing between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the first Moroccan swimmer and the youngest athlete in the world to connect five continents by swimming (2014), Hassan Baraka first shared part of his life story in «The Power of Failure», recounting his unprecedented achievements between 2009 and 2017. This year, he returns with «The Power of Cold», an independent sequel that extends the narrative from 2017 to 2024.
For the athlete, physical performance and writing are two sides of the same introspective journey. «When I swim alone in the open sea and spend ten, eleven, even sixteen hours in the water, I am constantly introspecting. I discover my strengths and my weaknesses. I believe that is the true foundation of my career,» he tells Https://Positivibemind.com.
«I am neither the strongest nor the fastest swimmer, but I have a mental strength that allows me to swim in any circumstances, even in waters where a shark circles me, as happened in the Red Sea. I can also swim in icy water at -1°C, with an outside temperature of -20°C. It is through these sporting challenges that I’ve developed this introspection. In my two sports autobiographies, I share the secrets, the ingredients, of my success: the connection to the present moment.»
A Therapeutic Dimension
According to the author, this key element «allows for performances we never initially imagine possible». During his challenges, Hassan Baraka has experienced moments of surpassing himself without even realizing it at the time. He vividly recalls his Red Sea crossing.
«When I saw a shark near me, my brain wanted to disconnect to protect me. I began swimming automatically. My arms kept moving for four hours, and I have no memory of that time,» he says. He describes experiencing a similar dissociation during his nearly 16-hour crossing of the English Channel.
«It is in those moments, when I dissociate my body and my mind, that my imagination expands. The ideas for all my books, whether sports autobiographies or the initiatory tale I wrote, are born in those moments.»
In the Channel or at the North Pole, conditions are extreme. The body feels almost weightless, with «the sensation of floating». In «The Power of Cold», Baraka explores these experiences, including the medical dimension of cold exposure.
«Immunity develops thanks to cold, which stimulates blood circulation and hormone secretion, including endorphins,» he explains. He also highlights the impact of cold-water swimming on depression.
«Your vital organs, the heart, lungs, brain, are activated. Studies on the BDNF molecule show that cold exposure promotes the formation of new synapses, which may help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s», he adds.
A Spiritual Dimension
Beyond performance and science, Hassan Baraka describes cold-water swimming as a spiritual experience. «I am devout, and I feel spirituality during prayer. But in the water, I feel another connection, to the universe and to God. I am rocked by the waves. I feel as though I am in amniotic fluid. It is an introspection filled with emotions that resonate with many dimensions of life,» he explains.
«My body becomes the surface of the ocean. When I look above me while swimming, I see the sky, space, the planets, I imagine the stars. I tell myself the universe is infinite. And when I look below, that is, within myself I see cells, another infinite world. I am convinced that within me, there is an entire universe (…) Since God created us in His image, we carry a part of creative power within us because we are His creatures.»
This introspective approach is also reflected in an event he organizes in the Atlas Mountains. For nearly ten years, Ice Swimming Morocco has brought together participants from several countries.
«During the second edition, an 81-year-old Belgian participant told me he had been swimming in icy water for 60 years and had not seen a doctor in 60 years. That’s why I wanted to explore the scientific benefits of cold, not just its sporting dimension,» he says.
For Athletes and Beginners
Hassan Baraka says his work is addressed «to anyone seeking meaning, inner discipline, and self-improvement». He notes growing interest among young people as well.
«During Ice Swim Morocco, we organize short immersions for teenagers aged 16, guided carefully. The essential element is letting go, through breathing and meditation,» he explains.
According to him, «letting go initially creates discomfort, which then transforms into well-being».
«To benefit safely, you must not exceed ten minutes in cold water, otherwise you risk severe hypothermia. If the body temperature drops to 30°C, cardiac arrest becomes a real danger. Everything must be done in moderation: there are benefits within five minutes, and between five and ten minutes maximum.»
Between physical endurance and mental discipline, the swimmer’s journey ultimately seeks to «answer fundamental questions: who am I, and why am I?»
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