About Us
We aim to be the go to name for contrast therapy experiences who honors tradition and fosters community, helping people reset, recharge, and reconnect.
Meet the Founders of PLUNJ
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.
Meet Our Partners: Derek and Kimberly Ence
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 has opened PLUNJ locations in both Park City and Idaho Falls.