Sean and Lauren Foster, avid long-distance trail runners, found solace in the Wasatch Mountains and the rejuvenating icy waters of the Provo River. Cold plunges became a ritual, significantly reducing Sean's anxiety and panic attacks, and alleviating Lauren's insomnia.
Inspired by the Finnish tradition of contrast therapy, Sean and Lauren realized a hot sauna could enhance their routine. Surprisingly, a local sauna and cold plunge studio didn't exist. Their response? "What if we built one?"
After years of planning, PLUNJ opened its doors in June 2021.
On a personal note, Sean and Lauren, best friends since high school, share two children and a decade-plus of experience in software. Their interests range from skiing, trail running, and mountain biking to paddle boarding, traveling, reading, and the joy of cooking delicious food.
Derek, a Las Vegas native, and Kimberly, hailing from Idaho Falls, graduated from BYU in 1990—Derek with a law degree (Summa Cum Laude) and Kim with a bachelor's degree (and a baby on the way). After practicing law in Vegas, Derek became a partner in the Harrison, Kemp & Jones firm, while Kim pursued a Master's degree from UNLV.
In 1997, the family moved to Idaho Falls, where Derek served as in-house counsel for Ball Enterprises. Involved in hotel development, he managed a portfolio of over twenty hotels. Kim, a writer and educator, received her MFA from Columbia University in 2021.
Now residing in Park City, Utah, the Ence family plans to open PLUNJ PC in early 2023.
