Meet the Superhumans -- Videos of People With Extraordinary Skills

From: http://www.asylum.com/

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While we'd all like to have some sort of superhuman ability, the closest most of us will ever get to such talent is when we read a comic book or watch "Spider-Man."

However, as the ABC news magazine "20/20" reported on this week, there are folks with seeming-super powers who walk among us.

Through a combination of fortunate genetics, hard work and determination, these six "superhumans" have accomplished feats that you really need to see to believe, from a man who can survive 72 minutes in the freezing temperatures of the North Pole (in shorts) and a real-life mermaid who can swim in the open sea without an oxygen tank.

Read on the check out the superhumans.

Alain Robert, Human Spider
Ability: Scaling buildings like a spider
Quote: "I'm looking for a world which is full of danger."
Interesting fact: Was afraid of heights as a youngster
Accomplishments: Robert has climbed most of the tallest skyscrapers in the world using only his hands and climbing shoes.



Jeb Corliss, Birdman
Ability: He pulls off daring BASE jumps and soars through the air using a modified bird suit.
Quote: "When I was about 5 years old I was watching these birds, and I remember seeing them start to fly and remembering saying, 'When I get older, I'm going to do that.'"
Interesting fact: Diagnosed with counterphobia, a pathological compulsion to confront fear
Accomplishments: The judge overturned his conviction for attempting to leap from the Empire State Building, ruling Corliss "was experienced and careful enough to jump off a building without endangering his own life or anyone else."



Wim Hof, Iceman
Ability: Is able to function normally in conditions of extreme cold
Quote: "Cold is a noble force, and I want to be challenged."
Interesting fact: He controls his body temperature by using the Tantric practice of Tummo.
Accomplishments: Ran an Arctic marathon at 20 degrees below zero, shirtless. Hof also holds the world record for being immersed in ice for an hour and 44 minutes.



Daniel Tammet, Brain Man
Ability: Genius of language and math
Quote: "I'm able to look from the inside out, so that gives a new perspective that scientists haven't had before."
Interesting fact: Because of an acute case of synesthesia, he sees numbers as colors and shapes.
Accomplishments: Memorized and recited the first 22,000 digits of pi. Was able to learn Icelandic, one of the most impenetrable languages in the world, in only a week.



Dean Kamazes, Marathon Man
Ability: Can run great lengths without rest
Quote: "It hurts so much and your body is saying stop, and (you) kind of override those mechanisms and force yourself to go on."
Interesting fact: Kamezes hadn't run in 15 years when, on his 30th birthday, he made the snap decision to leave his party and run 30 miles. The 47-year-old hasn't stopped since.
Accomplishments: Ran 135 miles nonstop in 120-degree, Death Valley heat. Completed 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days.



Hannah Fraser, Mermaid
Ability: With her mermaid tail, she can swim in harmony with ocean life
Quote: "I have found a way to integrate with their environment and swim with them and have a level of comfortability that most people will never experience in their life."
Interesting fact: Made her first mermaid tail out of plastic when she was 9.
Accomplishment: Can free dive up to 50 feet, and her specially designed tail allows to her swim much faster than regular divers.