The Global Sauna Industry is forecast to surpass $4.6 Billion by 2025. Global Sauna and Spa Market Report*

For Valterri Rantala, sauna culture has always been a way of life. He grew up in Finland where it is estimated that there are 3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million.

Rantala moved to Vancouver, British Columbia and sought out a place to enjoy the benefits of sauna. When he couldn't find the type of space he was after utilized his entrepreneurial spirit to bring it to life.

The Finnish Sauna became a mobile sauna experience. It provided enthusiasts a space to take part in Squamish, Vancouver and wherever the mobile sauna could travel.

Now Rantala has expanded his venture to a permanent secret space in Vancouver and is introducing people to The Ark Spa. The Ark Spa provides sauna therapy and cold therapy through cold tubs in a natural backyard setting. Rantala shares aside from the health benefits of sauna the ultimate reward is the community and conversation sessions can generate.

Chloe started out pursuing a career as a Doctor due to her love of science, however it was the MuchMusic VJ Search in 2013 that changed her entire life.

After taking the title she has now had a celebrated decade long media career. The journey has not been without struggle and Wilde is quite open about her battles with mental health.

On her quest to heal her relationship with mind and body she started using the hashtag #healthyishot. What started out as an accountability tool quickly transformed into a community. "Hot" (a popular word in the early 2000s) had nothing to do with a number on a scale or a body type. As Wilde shares seeking optimum wellness and health for oneself is truly what is hot at the end of the day.

Her hashtag evolved into a blog, podcast, and even a television series on Crave. Despite amassing a following and popularity the real achievement has been creating a community of like minded people to have a safe space to be motivated toward living a healthy life.

Rest is an essential component of overall wellness, creativity and productivity. Whether you are a C-Suite executive or an entry level employee, carving out space for deliberate rest can boost performance and productivity. However, rest is often slated to the side of the agenda until all the 'important work' is done. The reality is that generally what we view as our important work does not end and new tasks are always around the corner.

A newly released report (2022-2023 Aflac WorkForces Report) found that more than half (59%) of workers are experiencing at least moderate levels of burnout. This is an increase for numbers reported in 2021. Burnout quickly destroys engagement and blocks new ideas from bubbling to the surface.

Author Alex Soojung-Kim Pang joins this episode of The ATFW Industry Series podcast to share how and why deliberate rest is a key tool for growing a business. He shares insights from his book Rest: Why you Get More Done when You Work Less, which illustrates that rest is a key component for unlocking your creative self. Some of your best business ideas may be blocked as you aren't giving your mind the time and space to draw them out.

If you wish to gain wisdom and knowledge, you have to be curious and ask about anything in life. You become wise when you start to wonder. - Socrates

When it comes to pillars of wellness, curiosity may not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, getting curious about our minds and bodies is an ideal launchpad for creating the change we seek and life we envision for ourselves.

Entrepreneur and Adventurer Julian DeSchutter joins The ATFW Celebrity Series podcast to talk about the power of curiosity, the misconceptions over meditation and why we should be paying attention to our nervous system.

DeSchutter is a serial entrepreneur who co-founded Chasing Sunrise in 2016. The entire goal of that endeavour was to harness community and create epic memories. In the podcast he opens up about learnings from that experience and after watching you may strive to never miss a sunrise again!

Hustle culture may have you believe as an entrepreneur that self care should be an afterthought. This is a falsehood and those who want to level up in life have to take the time to go inwards. Caring for yourself is imperative if you care to reach your goals.

CEO Selene Dior of Vitae Apparel joins The ATFW Industry Series podcast to share how she started her own swimsuit and fitness apparel line at the age of 18. In a few short years she had transformed her idea into a 7 figure business. Her favourite quote when she started out was 'Get Shit Done', but the pressure of hustle culture ultimately led to burnout.

In this podcast she shares how investing in her self-care and mental health has ultimately helped her become a better leader and grow her business in a more sustainable way. She opens up about her foray into therapy, meditation, and reconnecting with exercise. She shares her business growth story and provides helpful tips for leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Bodybuilder Tyler Okowinsky joins The All Things Fitness and Wellness Celebrity Series podcast to share his journey to winning an IFBB Pro Card.

Okowinsky does not hold back as he opens up about the loss of his infant son, his struggles with drugs and alcohol, and how he shifted his life off of a destructive path.

His journey was far from linear and involved changing weight classes, missing shows due to covid cancellations, and having to work out solely with band exercises.

His tale is a true inspiration and emphasizes that we have a choice each day of pushing past perceived limitations and letting go of what is no longer serving us.

Jose Teixeira is the Head of Customer Experience for SC Fitness. In this podcast episode Teixeira shares the impacts of the global energy crisis on gym and leisure centres.

Delvin Breaux Sr. is changing the game and the conversation around mental health.

Men statistically have been less vocal over mental health struggles and less likely to seek treatment when needed. When it comes to professional athletes there has often been even more pressure to appear tough, which has not helped the stigma.

However, the narrative is shifting. There have been many recent instances of high profile athletes speaking about their mental health and a shift from the industry to create safe spaces for these conversations.

Delvin is an open book about his struggles quite literally. He authored his autobiography Un-Breaux-Ken. In his book he details the years of abuse he endured at the hands of his father, his life growing up in the projects, and his suicidal ideations as a nine year old boy.

Football was his release from the stressors his young mind was coping with.

Delvin Breaux Sr. has had a successful football career. He plays for the BC Lions in the CFL. He previously played with The Hamilton Tigercats and in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints.

His journey to the stadium was not without challenges. In 2006 as a highly recruited high school senior he broke his neck fracturing his C4, C5 and C6 vertebrae. His unstoppable mindset helped him move forward toward his goals.

Chris Craytor shares the biggest mistake health club operators are making that results in losing business, how to become the most valuable part of the fitness stack, and some of the top trends heading into the new year.

Craytor's journey began as a trader and hedge fund analyst prior to transitioning in to the fitness industry. This gives him a unique viewpoint and perspective as operators head toward an impending recession.

On this episode Andrea Ross joins The ATFW Celebrity Series Podcast. Ross is a multi-skilled athlete and stunt performer. She boasts a stacked skill set of acrobatics, parkour, gymnastics, taekwondo and Filipino Martial Arts. Her stunt performing career took flight after she was not able to realize her Olympic dream. That's right--her destination was original the Olympics due to her epic talents in the international wrestling circuit.

Ross has an impressive portfolio of work such as, DC Comics Legends of Tomorrow, Wynonna Earp, Man in the High Castle, Supernatural, Supergirl and Jupiter’s Legacy.

Ross opens up on her unique journey into stunt performing, gives insight on her training, a day in the life on set, rehab, and her new balance of Motherhood.

Smith opens up on his perspective on having to execute mass lay offs in March 2020, buying a business during the pandemic, and growing health club memberships while the industry recovers as a whole.

His decades of experience offers a unique viewpoint and ample advice for those looking to thrive as health club operators across the spectrum navigate digital advancements and changing consumer habits.

Nunzi aka "Da Bootee King" is widely known on social media for his 46 inch peach. He is a certified nutritionist, personal trainer, entrepreneur, life coach, and Tik Tok sensation. People may make ASSumptions over the man in front of the peach, but in this candid podcast style interview he opens up about his true passion to help others achieve an appreciation for life.

On this episode of The ATFW Celebrity Series Nunzi talks about his relationship with fitness and his transformative weight loss journey after injury. He shares how his passion for life translated into becoming a personal trainer. He opens up about his unique foray into Tik Tok and the 'how' behind amassing a nearly three quarter of a million followers. He talks about his exile off Instagram (now a triumphant return) where his 200k following disappeared due to his account being disabled. He provides plenty of tips for those looking to gain traction on social media. Plus, he talks about his mission to motivate others to achieve their glute goals. The 46 inch peach may even dance at the end!

If you venture onto social media you may not be a stranger to Nunzi, but this episode provides a true deep dive into this motivating soul. You're sure to gain a massive spark of inspiration inside of you while you listen.

Daniela Dib has had a storied career that has consistently celebrated movement.

Dib started out in gymnastics and nailed the floor routines. So much so that she decided ballet was more her forte. Although she gave dance her heart and soul she had to overcome a sudden end to her ballet career at the National Ballet Academy of Canada.

Her adventures then took her to the United States. She was landing gigs in music videos and movies. However, one audition entered her sphere that she wouldn't have envisioned pursuing.

SoulCycle was looking for talent. At the time it was a hard pass for Dib due to it being cardio focused. However, with a little bit of persuasion she went to the audition. Her entire life journey shifted immensely from there.

On this episode Dib opens up about her path to perseverance to becoming one of the most celebrated spin instructors in Vancouver. Her style is truly her own where the spin bike becomes an extension of her being.

Mark Mastrov has often been referred to as the “Steve Jobs of the Fitness Industry” and the “Godfather of Fitness”. In this episode he humbly reflects on his journey and sheds light on industry trends as operators navigate recovery.

Sara Hodson, President of The Fitness Industry Council of Canada joins The ATFW Industry Series to take a candid look at the physical activity crisis in Canada and around the globe.