Ep 33 - Intentional Immersive Experiences: How Hot/Cold Therapy Can Improve Your Mental Health w/ Myles Farmer

In this episode of ResistingBeta: The Men’s Health Podcast, host Andrew Bontz interviews guest Myles Farmer, a trailblazing entrepreneur who made his mark at just 23 years old as a Tim Hortons franchisee, rapidly expanding to seven locations and winning multiple awards for his exceptional growth. Myles continued his success, founding some of Toronto's most acclaimed restaurants and nightclubs, co-founding the award-winning hospitality PR firm Blue Door Communications, and serving as managing partner at Barbanti Capital Inc, a private equity firm in Toronto. After facing personal challenges, Myles embarked on a transformative journey, committing to a project to improve daily lives, particularly during a global pandemic. Driven by his passion for wellness and a vision for fostering awe and belonging, Myles co-founded Othership, a groundbreaking physical and digital platform dedicated to shifting states of mind and offering peak experiences.

Summary:

• Andrew introduces Miles Farmer, a trailblazing entrepreneur who has transitioned from owning businesses to co-founding a wellness platform that offers peak experiences. Miles shares his journey and his passion for wellness and fostering awe and belonging.
• Myles started his entrepreneurial journey with a Tim Horton's franchise, grew it to eight locations, and diversified into restaurants and PR, but at 31, felt unhappy and made the tough decision to leave his successful business to start a new journey.
• Andrew asks about how the Ayahuasca experience contributed to clarity, and Myles shares his perspective on why he did it, what it was like, and how it affected him upon his return.
• Myles decided to try Ayahuasca after seeing the positive impact it had on his friend who struggled with alcohol and drugs, and he found clarity through the experience which helped him make tough decisions and change his perspective on his business ventures.
• Myles did research in different industries but found nothing until he went to a Russian bathhouse and noticed the difficulty in getting people to come, but those who did love it, which sparked the idea of creating a new social experience around hot and cold modalities and led to the creation of Othership.
• Andrew asks Myles about the benefits of the hot and cold experience and how it has helped him and the community. Myles explains the physical benefits it has on the body and the mental benefits it has on the mind, including relaxation and improved sleep. He also discusses the importance of community and connection in today's world.
• Myles explains the physical and mental benefits of cold and hot therapy, such as increased energy, boosted immune system, and improved emotional regulation, as well as the potential for longevity and improved health outcomes from regular sauna use.
• Andrew discusses his interest in the scientific components of ice baths and saunas and how they can reduce stress and improve longevity, and how creating peak experiences fits into Other Ship's adventure.
• Myles describes Other Ship, as a physical space in a digital platform offering guided classes, social events, and bathhouse access for peak emotional and physical experiences as a community, helping people connect in authentic ways and combat loneliness.
• Andrew and the speaker discuss the issue of loneliness despite being surrounded by people and the importance of deeper connections through meaningful conversations. They also talk about men's struggle to connect and their personal experiences with transformation in this regard.
• Myles discusses the importance of being authentic in conversations, especially when it comes to discussing emotions. He also talks about the benefits of sauna culture and how it can be healthy for both mental and physical health.
• Myles suggests finding activities like bathhouses, incorporating health and wellness routines, and seeking out communities in your city to build closer connections with people.
• Andrew and Myles discuss the importance of an intentional mindset and exploring options to connect with others, such as local wellness routines or communities, and they mention the benefits of using the Othership app for intentional breathing exercises.
• Myles and Andrew discuss the benefits of incorporating breath work and a morning routine into your daily life to reduce stress and increase productivity, while Myles credits ice baths and the sauna for helping him unwind at the end of the day.
• Andrew and Myles discuss the benefits of ice baths and the Wim Hof Method. Myles explains how he got into the Wim Hof Method and how it has helped him in his personal and professional life.
• Andrew and Miles discuss the benefits of hot and cold therapy, breathwork, and creating authentic connections in this episode.

 

Conclusion:

In this episode, Andrew introduced Miles Farmer, an entrepreneur turned co-founder of Othership, a wellness platform that offers peak experiences through hot and cold modalities, guided classes, and social events. Myles shared his journey and how he found clarity through an Ayahuasca experience, which led him to create Othership. Andrew and Myles discussed the physical and mental benefits of hot and cold therapy, the importance of authentic connections, and the benefits of incorporating intentional breathing exercises and a morning routine into daily life. They also touched on the Wim Hof Method and the potential for ice baths and saunas to reduce stress and improve longevity.

 

7-Day Homework:

• Day 1: Try a hot and cold therapy session, such as a sauna followed by an ice bath. Pay attention to how your body feels before, during, and after the experience.
• Day 2: Practice intentional breathing exercises, such as box breathing or Wim Hof breathing. Notice how your breath affects your mind and body.
• Day 3: Connect with someone you care about in a meaningful way. Share your thoughts and feelings with them, and listen to them share theirs.
• Day 4: Start a morning routine that includes intentional breathing exercises, meditation, or journaling. Notice how your day goes differently when you start it off with intention.
• Day 5: Learn more about the Wim Hof Method and its potential benefits. If you're interested, try some of the exercises yourself.
• Day 6: Explore local wellness communities or activities in your city. Find a group of people who share your interests and connect with them.
• Day 7: Reflect on your week and how you've been incorporating the practices from this episode into your life. What changes have you noticed? What are you grateful for?

Follow :

Instagram: @mylesfarmer 

LinkedIn: Myles Farmer

Quotes:

"Hot and cold therapy can improve your physical and mental health."

"Breathwork can help you relax, de-stress, and improve your focus."

"Creating authentic connections with others is essential for a happy and fulfilling life."

"The most important thing is to be authentic and real in your conversations."