Evan McKinney-Robinson didn’t begin his career expecting to set up a wellbeing brand.
The 32-year-old, who grew up in Upton, Cheshire, initially worked as a software engineer for a number of corporate companies including Iceland Foods and Very.
But a convergence of factors – including the death of his father, the impact of the pandemic and some underlying mental health issues – encouraged him to step off his career path and do something else.
In February, after months of planning, dreaming and working behind the scenes, he opened his first public wood-fired sauna and cold plunge at Sandy Lane Park in Chester.
Suda Sauna was designed to be a place to slow down, warm up, cool off and connect with river views, sunset sessions and space for both community and private bookings – and it quickly took off.
To cope with demand, Suda Sauna has now relocated to a new home in partnership with the award-winning Aptitude Gym on the Barnston Estate at Monument Place in Farndon.
Evan said: “Cold water gave me something simple when I needed it most – a moment of presence, a way back into my body, a reminder that I could still choose how I met discomfort.
“My dad died during the Covid Lockdown and it triggered lots of things for me, particularly a number of underlying mental health issues related to grief and trauma. Like many men my age, I felt a bit trapped and isolated and these feelings were made more intense by the Pandemic working from home and being a new dad.
“I’d been working in tech and for a number of corporates for around five years and I realised that I felt dissatisfied, disillusioned and burnt out with it all. I didn’t feel like I wasn’t doing anything of value. So, even though I’m pretty risk averse, I left.
“I knew I wanted change, but I wasn’t sure what direction I wanted to go in. I’ve got connections in the music industry so I worked as a DJ while I figured out my next steps.
“I’ve always found it rewarding to get involved with community events and to raise funds for local charities such as KidsBank, Soul Kitchen Chester and Steppin’ With Friends. I knew I wanted to do something where I could work for myself and also benefit my local community too.
“I’ve always found nature to be super beneficial for my mental health. I love going for walks in Wales with my wife Cleo and our two young children.
“I got into wild swimming and cold wild-water immersion fairly recently and try to do it as much as possible. I like how interlinked it is with the Nordic sauna culture. Over there they do it to build resilience during their cold, dark winters because they know if gives them a rush of happy hormones and endorphins.
“I know what a difference it can make, it’s special, and I wanted to make it more available in the UK. We have a real lack of community spaces in Britain. Historically we’ve gone to places like church, or the pub, to find our community but now lots of those traditions have fallen away. People are yearning for a sense of community and today they’re finding it in running clubs, gyms and saunas and cold plunges.
“Cold water immersion has remarkable benefits, not just in the winter but throughout the year. The simple act of shedding your clothes and stepping into the cold brings a sense of euphoria that can last all day – best followed by a few rounds in a soothing, hot sauna. Your body feels alive, your mind is clear, and you’re hit with a natural high that lasts long after you leave. It’s remarkable and gives me goose bumps just talking about it.
“If something this raw and simple can help me to heal, it shouldn’t be hard for others to access. I want more people to experience and benefit from it, which is why we’re moving Suda Sauna over to Farndon.
“Most people in the UK have only experienced a gym sauna – a warm, dry room where they sit for ten minutes, struggle to breathe and then leave. Our wood-fired sauna is authentically designed and engineered to Finnish standards, the heat is softened by steam and we let fresh air continuously flow in. We’ve got brilliant drainage so customers can throw lots of water over the coals to create steam.
“The setting on the Barnston Estate is amazing with incredible views across to the Clwydian Range. You can enjoy a sauna and ice bath while listening to the birds singing in a private and secluded spot.
“We’ve got customers between the ages of 25-60 and a wide variety of sessions to choose from including silent saunas, ambient session, women only, mixed community sessions, private hire and even disco saunas with the music kept deliberately low to preserve the tranquillity.
“We’ll also be holding wellbeing events in partnership with yoga instructors and other wellbeing experts – bringing together elements like yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, sound and music.
“My plan is to keep building saunas – it’s a nice break from building software – and to open more across Cheshire. These slow spaces have the potential to change the world and feel almost sacred right now.”
