I have a habit of jumping into things out of pure excitement — swept up in the thrill of a new experience before I’ve thought it all the way through. Then, as the moment approaches (or hits me head-on), I start wondering what I’ve gotten myself into. That exact scenario played out for me this past week.
Let me back up a bit.
Recently, I joined a spa in the Seattle area called Soak and Sage. It’s a contrast therapy spa — think rotations between saunas, steam rooms, cold plunges, and hot tubs, all within a two-hour window. It’s also a social environment, where people can relax, chat, and enjoy drinks in a peaceful, curated setting. They also offer massages and facials, though I haven’t tried those yet.
My typical routine? About 15 minutes in the 210°F hot sauna followed by a 3-minute cold plunge for the duration of the 2-hours. I leave feeling totally refreshed, and honestly, I sleep better after a spa night than any other night of the week. It’s become a cornerstone of my recovery and self-care.
Because I love the experience so much, I often tell others about it. So when Soak and Sage posted on social media looking for volunteer models for an upcoming ad campaign, I jumped at the chance. No hesitation, no second thought — just, “Sure, I’ll do it!” I even joked that this was the start of my modeling arc… though anxiety was already quietly creeping in.
Suddenly I was in panic mode: Should I fast for five days? Double my workouts? I’m too old for this. What a way to kick off Mental Health Month — spiraling into insecurity. And in classic stress-response fashion, I didn’t fast, didn’t work out harder… I ate junk food and avoided the gym altogether. The anxiety grew.
Still, one thing kept me from backing out: I really love this place. And I wanted to follow through — even if it meant doing something uncomfortable for something I care about.
So I showed up. Twenty-five minutes early, naturally, to give myself extra time to overthink everything while sitting in my truck. When I finally walked in, things seemed chill — the spa had closed for the shoot, and the team was prepping. Then I headed into the men's locker room to change... and there they were: two guys, absolutely shredded, resistance bands in hand, getting a pump before the shoot. Meanwhile, I was contemplating how to keep my shirt on for the next two hours.
I retreated to my safe space: the sauna. It’s my happy place, both here and at my home gym. Sitting in that heat, the stress started to melt away. It felt familiar. Normal. Conversation flowed easily, and I started to feel like myself again.
From that point on, the night felt like any other at the spa. I cycled between sauna and cold plunge. I chatted with new people. Some were there for the three free spa visits offered to participants. Others, like me, were just curious — looking for something new to try. And you know what? No one was there to judge. We were all just there to experience something together, each in our own way.
By the end of the night, I was grateful I didn’t back out. I had stepped into something uncomfortable and found peace in what was familiar. That’s the part I want to share with you.
If you're reading this, I challenge you: sign up for something uncomfortable. Something that stretches you. And when the discomfort hits, focus on what is familiar. Running a race? Don’t stress about the crowds — focus on the fact that you’ve been running for weeks and you’re doing what you enjoy. Taking a dance class, even though you’ve got two left feet? That’s still movement. That’s still joy.
Growth doesn’t come from staying in our comfort zone. It comes from stepping out — and finding our way back to ourselves within the newness.
And if you’re ever in Seattle, I highly recommend Soak and Sage. Whether you do the full contrast rotation or just soak in the hot tub, the vibe is next-level. The music, the energy, the people — it’s a reset for your mind and body. I don't think my model arc goes on past this, but my days in the cold plunge are looking pretty chill.