Spotlights by Melissa Westphal 2/3
Peter Nelson
Founder of Sisu Sauna, Husband, Father of 2 , 28x Ultra Runner
What has been the most rewarding part of building SISU?
No one tells you when you’re getting your initial idea off the ground the potential impact it may make on customers, friends, family, internal team members, and even the impact on people philanthropically. One of the most rewarding parts has been the process of giving to those in need through our ability to run a profitable business. Last year and headed into this year, our aim has been to provide a sauna completely free of charge every single month to a veteran with PTSD or who’s on disability. This process has been way more rewarding than I could’ve ever thought and is a huge motivator for everyone in the business.
How do you envision the future of wellness and sauna culture evolving, and how does SISU fit into that vision?
The future is truly now in the wellness space. We’re seeing it shift from a thing we prioritize for an hour a day to making it a true lifestyle. Something we breathe 24/7/365. I see sauna, cold plunge, and better for you alcohol alternatives becoming main stream in the next five years where more and more people will be less at bars, and more hosting at their own homes. For SISU, our goal is to forge grit and connection in every house of through the use of sauna and our other outdoor wellness products we will release in the future.
What advice would you give to someone new to using saunas to get the most out of the experience?
Consistency, like any positive habit, is key. The more you do it, the better results you’ll yield. Aim for a goal of 4x weekly for 15-20 minutes at a time at a minimum of 176F. This is what the research is pointing to. To maximize your sessions, aim to hit your workout prior and jump in the sauna with friends or even people you’ve never met before. Some of the best business ideas and conversations I’ve had came from sauna sessions where I was meeting someone for the first time.
