Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Zickler.
Hi Cody, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Surge began from a personal journey with mental health combined with a passion for woodworking. Cody began following Wim Hof and taking cold showers and doing his breathwork in 2020. Then, built his first barrel sauna in 2021 from wester red cedar. As a full time middle school teacher, I (Cody) grew to desire working and helping adults through my dissertation research. As I wrapped up my degree, the idea for combining all the things I love became Surge.
As an adult I always found strong communities when I needed them. Contrast therapy has been a significant boost for my overall quality of life and I wanted to create a communal space where people feel supported along their journey. Alli is a mental health therapist and found contrast therapy once we began dating and prior to getting Surge opened. She has noticed a significant benefit across mental and physical health as well as the social aspect of meeting some amazing people at Surge.
We actually utilize everything we offer on a daily basis and love learning more about how to help people. We have members that come in for all sorts of reasons from mental health, needing to recharge from work and kids, physical ailments, grief, longevity, recovery and more! We both have a strong desire to help people in all stages of their lives. People need a community and an outlet outside of bars to socialize and better themselves.
The layout and design of Surge caters to socialization, however we do offer private sessions as well as a space for large group events and parties.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In many ways, it has been smooth. People do not always notice everything behind the scenes and we have constantly battled our cold plunges not working as well as anticipated. The list of things we never thought of quickly outran our ability to keep up, but moving into our second year, we are hitting our stride.
Social media has been a big challenge. We are both personally very private people, so putting ourselves out on social media and giving insight into our lives has been very difficult. Finding time to edit and create content is difficult, especially because it is not our favorite, but we do enjoy it once we actual take the time to do it!
We are tucked away in a little bit of a hidden location, which we love personally for our members and people that come in, but getting our name and services out there is always tricky.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Surge Sauna & Cold Plunge?
Surge Sauna & Cold Plunge is a community-focused wellness and recovery studio located in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. We believe recovery is more than just sore muscles and going through the motions physically — it has to include the mental element to ensure emotional and physical well-being. They work in harmony together to improve your life both personally and professionally.
Our studio combines traditional saunas, infrared saunas, cold plunges, and red light therapy in one space, for one price! Unlike places where everything is an “add on” we think all of these work together and if chosen, should be done together! Whether someone is an athlete looking to improve recovery, a busy parent searching for an hour of peace, or simply someone wanting to sleep better and feel healthier, Surge is designed to meet people where they are.
What sets us apart is that we are locally owned and independently funded, so we care so deeply for the space! We are typically the ones here working both the hours you see and don’t see. We purchase the best equipment we can afford and cater the experience to be top notch. We’ve intentionally built a space that encourages community, conversation, and slowing down. Many of our members arrive as strangers and leave as friends. We know our members by name, celebrate their milestones, and strive to help everyone find their best self.
The furniture and wood around Surge was custom milled and built by Cody and his friend Will from local pine trees that fell just 25 minutes away by Struble Lake. Our products we sell are from local artisans, and our shirts and hats were completed by Northbrook Press. We believe strongly in supporting our local businesses and members!
We’re proud to be helping make wellness more approachable. You don’t have to be an elite athlete or wellness expert to benefit from contrast therapy – it is for just about anyone! Our goal is to educate people on the science, but more importantly, focus on the anecdotal data on how their bodies feel after certain routines.
Above all, we want readers to know that Surge isn’t just a place to recover—it’s a place to reset and make a lifestyle change. We’re here to help!
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
We want to continue to build a strong community, host more events and be more accessible. We do have plans of upgrading our cold plunges to having all Blue Cube Cold Plunges with the river mode for an enhanced experience! We currently have 3 horizontal immersion tubs, but our goal as we upgrade is to have 2 horizontal and 1 vertical tub within the next year.
We stick to what works and what humans have been doing for a very long time. Cold water immersion, heat exposure, and red light is essentially just the morning sun! These things are tried and true and we do not need, nor wish to, provide anything that is not rooted in a long history of helping people. Are there potential risks for certain people? Yes, but overall, the therapies and services we provide are very straight forward and easy to figure out if it will help you. We are happy to discuss any concerns and we do our own research to ensure we can help as well as encourage people to do their own as well.
Pricing:
- Drop in Day Pass $35
- 5 Visit Day Pass $160
- Memberships from 4 visits/$85 or unlimited/$120
- Private 1 Hour Sessions $85
- Private Parties $375-450 for up to 8 people
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.surgesaunacoldplunge.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surgesaunacoldplunge/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Surge-Sauna-Cold-Plunge-61574399321746/
