From facing the brutal cuts of NFL teams to hiking a Polish mountain in freezing temperatures wearing nothing but shorts and gloves, Mitch Matthews brings us on a remarkable journey of personal transformation that led to creating FlowHaus—a sanctuary designed to elevate human connection through hot and cold therapy.

Matthews opens up about the psychological challenges of transitioning from football stardom to the uncertainty of post-athletic life. "I'm done playing football, I just started this business, my mom had just passed away," he shares, revealing the perfect storm that pushed him toward a profound reset. When a fateful meeting with Wim Hof in Poland introduced him to breathwork and cold exposure, Matthews discovered something more valuable than physical resilience—he found a pathway to peak mental states and authentic human connection.

Flow House emerged from Matthews' realization that the transformative experiences he had in Poland could be accessible to everyone. But this isn't just another wellness trend or sauna facility. "FlowHaus is first a message and a feeling," Matthews explains. "Second, it's a community... and then, thirdly, it's a space." In a world where digital connection has replaced genuine human interaction, Matthews has created an environment where strangers become confidants through shared experiences in breath, heat, and cold.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Matthews shares his philosophy on success: "If you want a good career and you want a good business, listen to everyone who's gone before you and done it. But if you want a successful life, sometimes it means listening to nobody." This counterintuitive wisdom, along with his concept of the "celery test"—filtering all advice through your own intuition—offers a refreshing perspective on authentic living in an advice-saturated world.

Whether you're navigating a major life transition, seeking deeper community connections, or simply curious about the science behind cold plunges and sauna therapy, this conversation will leave you contemplating how intentional discomfort might be the gateway to your next level of growth. As Matthews puts it: "The feeling is like being in the zone where you just can't miss that shot—peak confidence, peak flow."

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Join Erik as he supports Fork Cancer on August 8th at the Gallivan Center—a night of food, drinks, and live music, all for a great cause. Grab your tickets at utah.acscanforkcancer.org and enter Erik Nilsson to help him hit his $12,000 fundraising goal!

Head to www.smalllakepod.com/merchandise for Small Lake City Gear!

Join Erik as he supports Fork Cancer, a night of food, drinks, and live music—all for a great cause. Grab your tickets at utah.acscanforkcancer.org and enter Erik Nilsson to help him hit his $12,000 fundraising goal!

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