Embracing Discomfort
THE ELEMENTAL INSIDER: Issue No. 5
Hello, Elemental Community!
I've been thinking a lot lately about discomfort. Not just the kind we experience stepping into 40-degree water, but the kind that comes when we decide to go after something we really believe in.
For years, I've guided people through cold plunges, encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones, breathe through the uncertainty, and discover what they're capable of.
And lately, I've realized I'm being asked to do the very same thing.
I'm learning what it means to be uncomfortable in a whole new way.
After years of dreaming, planning, building, and more unexpected challenges than I could possibly count, Elemental Wellness Club is finally open. We've officially moved beyond our soft opening, and it's time to really put ourselves out there.
And if I'm being completely transparent, that's a little scary!
When you share something you've poured your heart into with the world, you also open yourself up to opinions, criticism, and people who simply don't understand what you're trying to create.
Some people want private sauna rooms. Some want to visit once without becoming a member. Others would prefer to skip the cold plunge altogether.
And that's okay. There are wonderful places offering those experiences.
But Elemental was never meant to be everything to everyone.
I had a very specific vision: a place where strangers could become friends, where people would encourage one another through something uncomfortable, where we could put our phones down, connect, learn, laugh, and challenge ourselves to live a little differently.
A social wellness club where we're not just working on our physical health, but expanding what's possible for ourselves mentally and emotionally.
And watching that vision become a reality has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
The response from Cleveland has been incredible. So many of you have reached out, visited, joined, shared our story, and encouraged us. I'm beyond grateful.
And while we're still navigating a few state approvals for our indoor cold plunges, I'm learning that you don't have to have every single detail figured out before you move forward.
Sometimes you just have to believe in what you're building and keep going.
Which brings me to something I'm incredibly passionate about...
Frequency: The Secret Everything — Thursday, October 22
On Thursday, October 22nd, we're helping bring the documentary Frequency: The Secret Everything back to Cleveland.
If you've spent any time around me, you probably know that I've been fascinated by consciousness, energy, frequency, and the incredible potential of the human mind for years.
Dr. Joe Dispenza's work has been a significant part of my life since 2021. In fact, the original vision for Elemental came to me during a walking meditation, back when I was still selling real estate.
I believe there is so much more to discover about ourselves and the world around us than what we currently understand.
And I love exploring those possibilities.
This documentary invites us to be curious, to question what we think we know, and perhaps to look at ourselves and the world a little differently.
You don't have to agree with everything in a film to find value in the conversation it starts. Sometimes simply being open to a new idea is an exercise in stepping outside our comfort zones.
We're hosting this screening at the beautiful Capitol Theatre, and we've already filled approximately half of its 400-plus seats!
But I have a bigger vision.
I'd love to see every single seat filled.
Not because I need a sold-out theater, but because I believe there's something powerful about bringing hundreds of curious people together to explore something new.
If this sounds like something that might interest you, I would love for you to join us. And if there's someone in your life who loves asking big questions, bring them along.
Speaking of Trying Something New... Mahjong!
On Thursday, October 29, we're bringing Mahjong to Elemental!
And here's the funny part: I have absolutely no idea how to play.
Not a clue.
But I keep seeing those beautiful tiles and boards, and something about it has been calling to me. So rather than waiting until I know what I'm doing, I'm going to show up and learn.
Imagine that!
It's another reminder that growth doesn't always have to involve a freezing cold plunge or a giant leap of faith. Sometimes it's as simple as sitting down at a table, admitting you're a beginner, and trying something new with other people.
I'd love for you to learn alongside me.
There's So Much More Happening at Elemental
One of my favorite parts of building this community is seeing the different ways people want to connect.
We're creating opportunities to learn about topics like hormones, menopause, and sexual wellness from medical professionals. We're bringing people together for meditation, breathwork, and education. We're hosting birthday rituals, corporate wellness experiences, and gatherings for groups of friends who want to do something a little different.
Of course, at the heart of it all are our Finnish saunas, cold plunges, and recovery experiences.
But it's becoming so much more than that.
It's about surrounding ourselves with people who are curious, intentional, and willing to try something new.
Maybe that's what Elemental is really about.
I've often said, "It's in the discomfort we grow."
I used to think about that primarily in relation to cold exposure.
Now I'm realizing it applies to almost everything.
Building a business. Meeting new people. Learning a game. Sharing an idea that others might question. Walking into a room where you don't know anyone. Being willing to be seen before everything is perfect.
All of it asks us to become a little more comfortable with the unknown.
And I'm right there with you, practicing it every day.
So whether you've been part of Elemental from the beginning or you're just discovering us through this newsletter, I hope you'll join us for something. A sauna, a plunge, a conversation, a movie, a class, or a new experience you never imagined yourself trying.
You never know what might happen when you're willing to step outside what's familiar.
And wouldn't it be wonderful if we did a little more of that together?
With gratitude,
Elise
Founder, Elemental Wellness Club
