My Cold Plunging Beginnings

I grew up in Kitsap, where beaches like Illahee State Park and Bachman Park were part of childhood. My mom made sure we were swimming as soon as we could. Water was simply part of growing up.

As I moved into adulthood though, I stopped choosing pools and water experiences for myself very often. My mom has a pool in her backyard, and my kids grew up playing in it, many summers there with Grandma creating beautiful memories. I loved watching them enjoy it, but the water itself was not a personal source of joy for me.

That began to change in 2018 when BEMER was introduced to me as part of a wellness lifestyle. Through BEMER, I met new people and was exposed to new ways of thinking about health and wellbeing. For so long, health had meant trying to eat better and follow an exercise routine. Suddenly, my perspective expanded.

The positive impact I experienced opened my mind to more possibilities. Networking with others, improving my physical health, and stepping outside my comfort zone socially, all created a growing openness in me to try new experiences.

Then one day, I noticed a polar plunge opportunity in the community. Something about it stirred curiosity and excitement in me. I let the first year pass without participating, but the desire stayed with me.

By January 2024, I was determined. I showed up to the Seabeck New Year’s Polar Plunge — and I absolutely LOVED it. It was fun, energizing, and surprisingly joyful.

After sharing how much I enjoyed the experience, a friend invited me to go cold plunging again. I loved it just as much the second time. Then another friend invited me. Suddenly, this new world was opening up for me.

Eventually, I wanted to go more often than my friends were available, so I started going alone. I absolutely love solitude when I feel safe, and some of those solo beach moments became deeply meaningful. There were mornings filled with mindfulness, gratitude, stillness, and connection — heart moments with life while immersed in cold water.

There were also times I arrived at the beach and didn’t feel safe. On those days, I simply drove home without plunging. Listening to myself became part of the practice too.

In January 2025, I came across an online cold plunge challenge and immediately knew I wanted to participate. I also knew I would need a plunge setup at home. When I express a desire to Tony, and he’s able to help bring it to life, he does. Soon, an inflatable cold plunge appeared on our porch, and I was ready for the challenge.

That January became something special. My mornings began with candles, affirmations, prayer, music, and whatever else felt nourishing in the moment before stepping into the cold water. It became spiritual for me. Mind and body training. Presence. Discipline. Peace. I was hooked.

As spring and summer arrived, though, maintaining cold temperatures in a portable plunge became difficult. Tony mentioned building a permanent one, and my answer was immediate: “Yes, please.”

Now here we are in May 2026. My sturdy, lovingly built cold plunge is here at home.

I feel deep gratitude that I get to choose this practice — this mindfulness practice, this mind-training practice, this moment of returning to myself.

A cold plunge for me is more than just cold water.