Meet Gavin Jocius of Sauna House Durham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gavin Jocius.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve spent the past 20 years working in technology and eCommerce here in the Triangle, building a career that kept me deeply plugged into the digital world. But over time, I became increasingly aware of how mobile devices and constant connectivity were eroding our well-being and our ability to be present. That led me to seek out more analog, restorative experiences—and that’s where my love for international bathing culture began.

I’ve been fortunate to live abroad, studying in Germany and snowboarding in Japan, where I was introduced to the communal, ritualistic beauty of saunas, onsen, and bathhouses. These experiences were transformative. They weren’t just about relaxation—they were about connection, presence, and balance. I wanted to bring that feeling home.

That’s when I found Andrew, the founder of Sauna House. His vision aligned with everything I cared about, and I knew I wanted to be involved. I spent five years searching for the right building in Durham—eventually signing a lease, raising the capital and debt, and helping make Sauna House Durham a reality. It’s a space where people can reconnect—with themselves and with others—through the simple but powerful practice of hot, cold, and rest. No phones. No distractions. Just presence.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. A major challenge hit us when Hurricane Helene forced us to temporarily close our Asheville location—just months before we were set to open in Durham, Charlotte, and Bonita Springs. It was an incredibly stressful time, but our team really came together. We relocated staff, hosted mobile sauna pop-ups in Durham and Knoxville to stay connected to our communities, and pushed hard to reopen Asheville while still launching Charlotte.

The Durham project had its share of ups and downs—from navigating permitting and health code regulations to unforeseen construction delays—but in the end, the community’s response made it all worth it. Seeing people embrace contrast therapy and treat the space like a second home has been deeply rewarding.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sauna House is a modern bathhouse rooted in the ancient practice of contrast therapy—hot, cold, and rest. We offer communal and private spaces where people can unplug, reset, and reconnect with themselves and each other.

We specialize in building high-quality intentionally designed bathhouses in adaptive reuse buildings that honor the past while supporting modern health practices. Whether it’s your first time trying contrast therapy or part of your weekly ritual, our goal is to make you feel welcome and cared for.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
To do my best in life—whether at work or beyond—I have to find ways to quiet the mental noise and reconnect with my body. Freediving has been one of the most effective practices for that. I’ve trained with Evolve Freediving here in North Carolina and Freedive Tulum in Mexico, and those experiences taught me how to regulate my nervous system, stay calm under pressure, and tap into the mammalian dive reflex—a deep, primal response our bodies have to cold water and breath-holding.

That reflex is something I rely on to reset and realign, especially when things feel overwhelming. It’s also why I’m so passionate about what we offer at Sauna House. Stepping into a cold plunge is a daily reminder to slow down, breathe with intention, and come back to yourself.

Pricing:

• You can book a 2-hour public bathhouse visit for $40 Mon – Thurs and $50 Fri – Sun.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.saunahouse.com/pages/durham
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saunahousedurham
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gjocius/