After living abroad in Northern Ireland for one year I was inspired by the seaside mobile saunas along the Irish Coast. As an avid cold dipper for many years, I was intent on cold dipping in as many wild places as possible. Having a long history with Ireland, the land was calling to me. The Irish Sea beckoned. I knew I would find the wild raw beauty in the mountains and coastline. I did not expect to find a sauna on wheels at every beach. Yet there they were!

I began going weekly and was very quickly enveloped in the sauna culture community. There is an acceptance among sauna goers that is unlike anything I have experienced. The vulnerability of sweating together somehow opens your heart to be vulnerable too. Many deep chats were had in those saunas. Particularly with an older gentleman nicknamed "Gerry the Panda". Big like bear, but clumsy and gentle like a panda. We became the best of friends. It was with Gerry's love and encouragement that I believed I could bring this experience back to my community on the South Shore.

When the time came, I boarded a plane back to Canada with tears in my eyes as I said a goodbye for now to my dear friend. Despite the tears, I had a heart full of hope, a path I wanted to pave and a name for it all. The Sweaty Panda. Love you Gerry ❤️