Our Story

In my late teens, I convinced my father to buy a sauna for the numerous health benefits. At the time, my relationship with hot and cold cycling was very surface level. I would do occasional sauna sessions with cold showers mixed in here and there. Coming from this purely physical health perspective, I never would have guessed how much of an impact this ritual would end up having on my life.

Fast forward several years where I had stopped using the sauna regularly. I unfortunately underwent the most challenging, traumatic experience of my life. Following this event, I experienced extensive mental health challenges. Due to constant anxiety, I was only able to sleep for 2-3 hours a night for months on end. I tried many things, but nothing was able to restore my ability to rest. I knew that if I wasn't able to fix my sleep, I would not be able to fix my mental health. I truly thought my life was ending or that I was going to live a life filled with suffering.

Throughout this time, I ended up going to my local community center to use their sauna. I knew there were extra benefits to pushing myself past my comfort zone, and I found this sauna push to be a wonderful way to connect to my body instead of being so focused on my state of mind. Later that evening, I noticed I was sleepy. I hadn't felt tired before bed for months, so clearly the sauna had effected something within my body to have this feeling return.

I ended up falling asleep easier and earlier, and over time, I was able to resume a sleep schedule that was much more cohesive with optimal health. In the mornings I would cold plunge, which would assist with mood regulation and blunting anxiety, and in the evenings I would sauna to assist with sleep. Throughout this recovery period, I would pair these activities together on a daily basis in order to continue my healing.

Over time, with the assistance of both heat and cold exposure on my body, I was able to regulate my nervous system, which helped guide me towards a path of having stable mental health.

Once I was much better, I decided that I would share this healing practice with the local community. The main sauna and cold plunge facilities at the time were in Vancouver, so I thought it was important to bring this ritual to the Fraser Valley. Through a year of planning, fundraising, working with regulators, designing, and constructing we finally ended up out the other end being the first properly health approved sauna and cold plunge facility east of Vancouver. I was extremely pleased that we found a spot to rent in the picturesque town of Fort Langley.

Since opening up shop in 2024, I am so grateful to see how Arctic Heat Retreat has helped others disconnect from day to day life, reconnect with their bodies, and heal themselves whether that be their physical aches and pains, or mental struggles. If you have yet to try sauna and cold plunge and have questions, or if you would ever like to chat more about how this practice helped return me to normalcy, please feel free to reach out below!