Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Sorenson.
Hi Robert, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I spent my entire childhood dealing with compromised health. As a result of being misdiagnosed with a medical condition, I was heavily medicated with high doses of prednisone, which took its toll on my physical health and caused me to become overweight. This led to torment and bullying during my elementary school years. I turned to food for comfort, which only further prevented me from being physically or socially active. My best friends became video games and fictional worlds.
One memory from my childhood is trying out for the basketball team in sixth grade. After just one practice, I was cut because I couldn’t keep up with the other kids. This experience only exacerbated my situation, and I began using my health as an excuse to avoid participating in physical education classes. In middle school, I joined the track team as a backup shot-putter, but I never actually got to throw. Instead, I would go to the concession stand during track meets and load up on cheeseburgers, convincing myself that I needed the energy in case the starting shot-putter got injured.
High school was a continuation of this pattern. I tried out for the football team but, despite some encouragement from friends, I quickly quit due to the physical demands of the very first practice. Once again, I found comfort in food that was far from nourishing and spent most of my time in front of the computer.
However, the computer also provided a connection to my brother, who was seven years older than me. He was the stereotypical cool kid – popular, athletic, good at everything he tried. As a teenager, I finally felt worthy of his attention when he invited me to play online games with him. We grew closer, and I cherished those moments of bonding. When I was 15 years old, my brother tragically passed away in a car accident. This loss sent me spiraling into depression, and I isolated myself from the outside world. Online gaming was my only social interaction through the second half of my high school experience.
As I graduated from high school and moved into college I did find myself beginning to move my body a little more, only by the encouragement of my mom. She had been physically active her entire life – I have many memories of her running on the treadmill in the same room that I was playing on the computer. I started to bicycle a little bit, but was still engaging with unhealthy eating patterns. Getting active was a good start, but I was a long way off from establishing a good relationship with my body and my wellness.
In college, I initially pursued a degree in Biology with the intention of becoming a veterinarian. My family had a strong love for animals, and I often found it easier to connect with them than with humans. However, I struggled with the advanced biology courses and couldn’t to maintain the high grades I was used to. It became clear that I lacked the dedication necessary for success in this field. At 20 years old, I found myself without direction, out of shape, and finding solace only in the digital worlds of my computer.
Approaching my 21st birthday, I had to consider my next steps in education. While browsing the university degrees, I stumbled upon a new program being offered – Human Performance. It focused on the science of improving human abilities, making them healthier, faster, and stronger, much like leveling up in a video game. The courses I had already completed for my biology degree aligned well with this program. I changed my major and spent the next year completing the prerequisites for acceptance into the two-year program.
During this time, I turned 21 and decided that if I was going to help others improve their health and wellness, I needed to do it for myself as well. With the support of my mom, I bought my first pair of running shoes and went for my first run. I could only manage 200 meters on my first attempt, but I pushed myself to double the distance the next day and triple it the day after that. I quickly became hooked on running and purchased a gym membership. I set a goal to transform myself physically before starting the Human Performance program.
Once enrolled in the program, I became even more active and formed friendships with like-minded individuals. Within a year, I ran my first 5k, 8k, 10k, 20k, and even completed a half marathon alongside my mom. Despite the physical challenges, my grades remained among the best in my class, and I found myself continually inspired by my own physical accomplishments.
I purchased equipment for at-home workouts and began doing P90X. I pushed myself to do two workouts per day – one in the morning and one in the evening. High-volume training became my passion, and I found myself craving longer runs and more intense strength sessions. I wanted to discover and expand my own capability. As a result, I ran my first self-supported ultramarathon at the age of 23, even though I was unprepared and carried only a single water bottle. I relied on the support of my mom, who provided a water drop for me around the 30-mile mark. Without her, I don’t know where I would be.
Over the next 12 years, my commitment to fitness grew both personally and professionally. Following graduation, I started in an entry-level position, working to support the health and well-being of seniors in a retirement community. By the time I resigned from my position, I had operational oversight of an award-winning wellness and campus life program for over 1,000 residents.
My journey through health and wellness has been incredible, both physically and mentally. I constantly challenge myself, not only for my own benefit but also to inspire and support others. Leading by example, and using yourself as a test subject, is essential in this field. In my pursuit of this, I have completed countless marathons, ultramarathons, CrossFit competitions, paddle boarded across the ocean, and more.
Through both the highs and lows, I have learned many valuable lessons. I have faced surgeries and injuries, but one practice that has always supported my longevity in sports is sauna and cold plunge therapy, whenever, wherever, and however I could do it.
This is where Sauna House comes into the story. During a road trip through Asheville in route to competing in an Ironman in Chattanooga, I did a drop in at the then, only Sauna House location. It was an incredible experience where I experienced all my favorite recovery mechanisms bundled into one environment. I fell in love with the vibe and knew I wanted to bring it back home to southwest Florida. It was October of 2022 when I approached the Sauna House owners and expressed my interest. Many conversations were to follow, and about 26 months later Sauna House Bonita Springs opened it’s doors for business. Since December of 2024 over 2500 different guests have been welcomed into our space to enjoy all of the wellness benefits associated with contrast therapy, digital detox, and community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Building and opening a commercial business is not for the faint of heart. Especially when it’s something as unique as Sauna House, a place where water touches literally everything, and internal rooms are getting upwards of 185 degrees. If I was a cat I would have used most of my nine lives in trouble shooting through construction. The biggest challenge for us was executing a floor coating that was both durable and safe for guests. To-date we have had 6 different revisions done to our floor, with more to come as we identify ways to improve the guest experience. You have to know where to adapt and when to compromise.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sauna House is a modern take on an age-old wellness ritual. Sauna, cold plunge, and good vibes in a tech-free space. Inside the 4,500-square-foot, biophilic space, guests are welcomed into a 30-person communal bathhouse featuring a large 185-degree Finnish-style sauna and three plunge pools maintained between 40 and 60 degrees. Additional amenities include heated furniture and a spacious communal locker room equipped with private dry changing areas, lockers, and showers. Private rooms with the same suite of amenities are also available. We also offer infrared sauna, and access to locally crafted non-alcoholic beverages.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Gwen, my partner has been ever present and supportive of the journey. Whenever the walls seemed like they were closing in, it was Gwen who redirected me to see the forest through the trees. She has been an advocate for the idea of Sauna House from the first day I spoke the idea out loud.
Pricing:
- 2 Hour Public Bathhouse Visit – $50
- 2 Hour Private Sauna & Cold Plunge Room for up to 4 people – $150
- 1 Hour Private Infrared Sauna – $40
- 2 Hour Private Party Sauna and Cold Plunge Room for up to 10 people- $325
- 1 Hour Public Bathhouse HOT LAP Visit (Weekdays Only) – $30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.saunahouse.com/pages/bonita-springs
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saunahousebonitasprings/?hl=en
Image Credits
Fabiana Solano @Byfabianamsolano
