Why Recovery Matters After 40: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Technology | with Lisa Benson of PAUSE

We spend so much time focusing on workouts, nutrition, and doing more for our health—but what if the missing piece is actually recovery?

In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa Benson, founder of PAUSE East Cobb, to talk about why recovery becomes essential after 40 and how to better support your body as it changes. We dive into what recovery really means (beyond just rest), common misconceptions, and how practices rooted in ancient traditions—like sauna and cold exposure—are now being paired with modern technology to support energy, strength, and long-term health.

While these methods have been used for centuries, there is also a growing body of research supporting their role in reducing inflammation, improving circulation, aiding muscle recovery, and supporting overall wellness and longevity.

If you’ve been feeling run down, low energy, or like your body just needs a different kind of support—this conversation will give you a new perspective on how to approach your health.

Learn more about PAUSE East Cobb:
https://pausestudio.com/locations/east-cobb

Special offer for listeners:
Use code KatieEADC for 30% off your service, plus a complimentary Cryotherapy or Red Light session during your visit.

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:00

We become so focused on our physical health and improving it. But what if the message should also be how do we support our body in recovery? Today we're exploring where recovery lies and how ancient wisdom meets modern technology for the resolution. Welcome to Wilkins After 40, how is the goal of meditation for women? The podcast that empowers women in the 40s and the other thing with vitality and your body finding it. This podcast will give you the tool to do your best at every stage of life. Let's dive into the journey of not just surviving, but thriving after 40. Welcome to the podcast, Wellness After 40. I am your host, Katie, and today I brought a very important guest to the podcast. Welcome to the podcast, Ms. Lisa Benson. Let me tell you a little bit about Lisa. Lisa is the owner of Pause Ease Cobb, a wellness and recovery studio focused on helping people feel, perform, and live better through intentional recovery. With a passion for creating elevated, approachable wellness experiences. Lisa is focused on shifting the conversation from doing more to supporting the body so it can perform at its best. Through Pause, she brings together cutting-edge recovery modalities in a space designed to help individuals reset, recharge, and reconnect with their bodies. Welcome to the podcast, Lisa.

SPEAKER_00 2:14

Thank you. Thank you so much for having me. I love the conversations that you're creating, and I'm just really excited to be a part of it. So excited for today.

SPEAKER_01 2:24

Yes, I am too. I have done so much research on my own on different types of recovery modalities. And so I'm so thankful that you're on today to kind of help demystify these things because you know the internet's wild and you can learn one thing and another. So I'm excited to actually bring an expert on to talk about all these different types of modalities of recovery and how they really help us as we age. Because I truly believe in them. So I'm so thankful that you're on today. But to kind of get us started, can you tell us a little bit more about pause? Like why you created this business and you know how it really helps with the gaps in wellness and recovery?

SPEAKER_00 3:06

Yeah. So I think that for me, pause came about in a very personal way. And so it started with uh right before COVID hit. Um, I am a mother of four. And I, my second born, um, I said wonderfully gave me strep throat. And so I've never had strep throat uh prior to that, which again, right? Not never had that, which is also wild to think about, but I didn't have that. And so what ended up happening is that it created an autoimmune response where my body started fighting against itself. And so uh that then created uh psoriasis. And so as I kind of navigated through what that was and what it meant, uh it felt like a life sentence. It felt like I was sentenced to have to take medication for the rest of my life. And I just didn't want to give in to that. I wanted to understand how can my body can heal from this? And so I started doing some research, and that's when I started learning about the effects of uh sauna. And uh as I learned about sauna, I began to understand um the impact and the long-term benefits. And you know, this is the all of our services are so old, school, there's centuries of data behind it. And so uh then I started exploring, okay, where can I access this? And so at that time, there was nothing. We did not have access to any kind of sauna or recovery services within the community. And so um, a while that happened, I would say a month or so later, my husband started learning about cold tubs and the impact uh and benefits from that. And then I called my big brother. We just started learning about franchise opportunities and what brands existed at that time. And so um we, long story short, learned about pause, pause being one of the only services out there, brands out there, that offer so many services in under one roof. And so once we met the founders, we felt incredibly aligned with them, but also with the business. Um, and so that's where we said, okay, from there, honestly, it just kind of kept rolling because that's where I personally began to see and obviously personally understand as a woman, a woman that we're so incredibly good at pushing through. And so we're managing careers, families, responsibilities. And the wellness space was largely telling us to do more, work out more, have more discipline, have give more effort. And so, uh, but there was very little focus on how to recover so that your body can actually keep up with the life that you're living. And so, you know, pause is was there, it's there to uh fill that gap. It's not another thing to add, but it's just one, it's something that makes everything else work better.

SPEAKER_01 5:55

Amen to that. But I I think that it would be really helpful to define recovery because I think that we think we're recovering when we, you know, sleep in on the Saturday or we, you know, go get our nails done. Like we kind of do these self-care things. But can you help us define recovery a little bit more? Like, what does recovery actually actually mean?

SPEAKER_00 6:21

Yes, recovery isn't just rest, it's not sitting on the couch or taking a break when you're exhausted. Recovery is active support for your body system, your nervous system, your muscles, your circulation, your cellular health. It's the difference between just stopping versus actually helping your body repair, reset, and perform better. Most women think, oh, I'll I'll rest when I'm tired. Recovery says, let's support your body before it gets depleted.

SPEAKER_01 6:51

I can't agree with that more. Like I think that is, I think that's a really important nuance to understand. It's not about just stopping, it's about supporting. And I mean, we all we all need to support ourselves, we all need to rest. But you know, it was thank you for sharing it that about having your autoimmune response after having a virus. And I mean, so recovery isn't just about like, oh, I worked out hard, it's really about supporting our body as we age and any type of changes that we go through. So recovery is just so impactful.

SPEAKER_00 7:26

And you don't ever know it until you actually start doing it, so for sure.

SPEAKER_01 7:30

Oh my that's the truth, right? It's like we don't really know what we're missing. So I I want to definitely ask about specific recovery services that you offer because this is where I get into the weeds and I'm like, well, what do I really need? And what which ones are like the real deal and which ones are kind of like the snake oil? Like I I've seen so many different types of advertisements for different things. So I'm curious a little bit more about some of the services that you offer at Pause and really kind of like what they are. So I know that you offer like LED and float and coal plunge and Ivy drips. Can you tell us a little bit more about like which services you think are the probably the most impactful for us as we age?

SPEAKER_00 8:16

That is a difficult one because I say all of them, uh, because they all really and honestly kind of like cater to your body's needs depending on what's happening in the moment. I say if you are feeling like you need a nervous, you know, nervous system reset, my gosh, float, right? So if you go in and uh there's uh chronic pain, uh I went in and I had a migraine as a great example. I get uh suffer from like chronic migraines uh from and so what ends up happening is I go in and I do a cry a quick cryotherapy session and then follow that by red light. Um, and then I went and knocked it out completely with the flow. When I came out of that flow, I was like, I did not realize how much tension I had in my neck. I did not realize that um, you know, that I could feel this way, just with these natural ways of healing your body, allowing your body to decompress and giving it what it needs because of all of that magnesium, it's allowing your body right to um become fulfilled with the nutrients that it needs with all that essence salt, um, because so many of us are depleted in magnesium. And so that's that's just one example. If you are, if you have skin health issues like myself with the inflammation with psoriasis, my absolute favorite thing to do is red light therapy. Um, it not only helps you recover at the cellular level, but it also gives you a nice little bump of mood. And so I say that because I didn't know that I didn't know, right? Like you hear it, you read it, um, and then you go in, and once you feel it, it is completely different. Uh so I go in and we have we offer uh full body red light. And so you just get in there and it's just 10 minutes and you come out just feeling in a better mood. I don't know how many of you who could relate to, you know, sometimes arguing with your husband or being frustrated with your children or uh, you know, employ employees, right? We could just go down the line, but uh going in there just feel makes you feel more at ease. You're just like, hey, it's okay. Just let's talk this through, right? Like you go from that from feeling like an inner rage. I mean, it's it's just wonderful. And then I can keep going down, but I'm like, it just depends on how you're feeling. Contrast. I thought float would be my favorite because um, I will tell you the majority of women that come in will tell will say, I do not like the cold. And I will say, Amen, sister, I'm with you. I do not like the cold. I do not think that it's like something that's super enjoyable. But my favorite service is contrast because of the absolute euphoric feeling you feel after you just feel at complete rest and ease. And it just feels like this the most natural high that one can experience. And that's just by allowing yourself to like go through that discomfort and then immediately get into that sauna, uh, which is what is called a hot cold therapy, uh, for contrast. And oh my gosh, the way that you feel that the the it just overcomes your body and you just feel like an ultimate level of relaxation, and so it's amazing.

SPEAKER_01 11:12

And so contrast is uh cryotherapy and sauna, correct?

SPEAKER_00 11:17

Uh contrast therapy is cold plunge and cold plunge.

SPEAKER_01 11:22

Okay, yes. I also know you don't you do cryo, so I have questions we did that, but contrast therapy is to help with like inflammation, joint care, and then balance of the hormones. Like, what does contrast therapy do for our body?

SPEAKER_00 11:37

Yeah, contrast exactly all the things that you just named, immunity building as well, and helping to build your uh your tolerance of stress because it helps you. Obviously, you're under stress in those moments, and so it helps your body when it's helping your body kind of come down from that, it helps you uh with your uh breathing, practice, the the entire thing. So it does cover all the things that you just named in addition to, like I said, immunity and stress response.

SPEAKER_01 12:03

And I know you house two really big ones that are like just very popular in the space, and you you can you've I've seen them for a really long time and in lots of different places, but you offer cryotherapy and you offer sauna. Can you tell us a little bit about like why someone would need cryotherapy and why someone would want to go into a sauna?

SPEAKER_00 12:22

Yeah, I consider cryotherapy, well, cryotherapy and contrast, number one, are I think that's what you were right?

SPEAKER_01 12:29

Mm-hmm. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 12:30

Trying to okay. So um the cryotherapy and the cold tub both give you the same benefits. The difference is that the cold tub will give you a deeper level, it penetrates your tissue more deeply. And so that is why it feels more extreme. And so you will hear the cryotherapy is negative, you know, 140, 150 uh degrees. And so that sounds jarring, and it sounds like this is so cold, but it is the air that's circulating around you that is that cold. Whereas when you get into the cold plunge, you you're you are getting cold from within. So that is what's happening, and that's why you know they call it the shiver response. You are basically all of your organs are saying, like, warm me up, what is happening? So many people will talk about their fingertips growing numb or their toes at first, and that's because that's where our body is going to drop blood from first to warm you up as a survival uh technique. And so it you will feel cold plunge more on a deeper level than you will um cryo. So it's a good way, and it's also faster. So for somebody who just, you know, if you're coming in from a hard workout uh and you want a quick hit of recovery so that you're not feeling as sore and that you can kind of replenish because you have the rest of the night to go, you can come in and do cryotherapy and then go on about your way, where obviously cold plung is more involved because you're submerging in water.

SPEAKER_01 13:53

Okay, so they both have that added benefit of just helping your body repair itself naturally. That's super interesting. And so, what about saunas? Like, why does someone want to go into a sauna?

SPEAKER_00 14:04

Oh, why doesn't someone not want to go? Oh my gosh. Just because I'm an avid sauna user. Again, um, my father also was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. And so that being in our family line, I sauna has so much research talking about the, you know, the benefits that it has against um uh cognition decline. And so that is something that is a long-term benefit, but sauna is something that obviously detoxes you, so you have that most immediately in addition to skin glow, like you know, the things that we care about, but inside is what's what is the most important uh because done with consistency, it's helping to uh repair your body and the damage that's been done. So I know that there's a lot of topics that I'm hearing about now about microplastics, and we're talking about that being detoxed from your body through sauna. Uh, and so there is there's a lot there that really helps your body um again with inflammation, uh, immunity. So all of these things kind of target um you will find at different levels and layers, but uh long-term use. There's so much strong data that tells us about the healing that a sauna can provide you.

SPEAKER_01 15:11

That's so interesting. And I I love how all of these modalities are really about supporting the body to repair itself. So to me, that automatically just seems safe, I guess is a uh one way to describe it. Like it feels like it's sustainable and it's safe because your body is able to adjust and change based on what your body really needs. So I I love these ideas, and I and I like this idea that you were, or I appreciate this idea that you were saying that it's been you know studied for centuries. So I think that that's a really important nuance for people to understand. It's not like it's not new, and we have so much data to say like this stuff actually really does help with inflammation, help with mood, help with chronic disease, help with better sleep. Um, and then obviously help with your body if you have worked out hard or are adjusting to changes in the body, like it helps the body naturally prepare. So I think this stuff is really fascinating.

SPEAKER_00 16:08

Oh, it is, and it's and again, uh you'll keep hearing me say it. You can say these things, you can read these things, but it's when you feel it that it's really like, oh, okay. Like I I I I heard it, but you didn't kind of like transition that to what it actually feels like when you're in there and have done it consistently, which is another word you'll hear a lot, is being done with consistency. There's absolutely, you will absolutely feel something your first time, but you will, it's just a different level of what you feel when you're doing it consistently. And let's just say you stop and you say, Okay, well, I'm gonna take a month off. Oh, you're gonna be like, What? Well, what's off? Something's not right, it's not good. And so then that's when you start to notice like it is going to that sauna that made made me not be so stressed or like really helped me at the end of the day, or that red light, man. My skin is not as glowy anymore, right? Things like that. So, so yeah.

SPEAKER_01 17:02

Yeah, I definitely want to ask you about like what is a frequency look like. But before we get into that, I want to go back onto that feeling portion because I think so many of us know, okay, well, I worked out really hard, I maybe strained my muscles, I'm gonna go and do XYZ modality or therapy to help. But can you give us a list of maybe other symptoms that we would be having that can help with any of these modalities? Like something that we, you know, as we age, that we should probably know that this is a symptom that can be resolved with these therapies.

SPEAKER_00 17:37

Oh my gosh, so so many things. Uh, chronic stress. Let's start there, right? So I think for me, I'm only speaking personally, and I say because I've heard so many women talk about it as well, is but I don't feel stressed, or this is just everyday life, or this, you know, what what is the other choice? You just kind of gotta keep moving. And so all of these really help with chronic stress um load in your inside of your system. And so the chronic fatigue, it helps with the fatigue when you're feeling really tired. It really helps you uh re-energize anxiety. I mean, in this world that we live in, who's not feeling anxious at some way, shape, or form. And so it really helps uh to target that as well. Um, sleep, again, right? We were talking about women in our 40s. That's a lovely gift that we receive uh where you start having more and more problems sleeping. And so that helps you sleep better, sleep longer, and have more quality sleep with consistency. Um, I'm like, what else? What else? All the things. Um, you already talked about soreness. Uh, that definitely helps. It helps lymphatic drainage. You know, we have compression and it I said it makes your legs feel like you're back in your 20s again once you kind of like get the compression boots.

SPEAKER_01 18:55

Oh, yes. I've done those before. That's that is amazing. That is amazing.

SPEAKER_00 18:59

Yes, it is so, so, so helpful and feels so wonderful.

SPEAKER_01 19:03

So, from nervous system to lymphatic drainage, inflammation, joint care. I mean, it sounds like it sounds like a no-brainer to add this to our life. So, and I know you you mentioned consistency. And I mean, I I know like if you lift a weight one time a week, you're not gonna get the results that you're looking for. So I'm always like, yeah, that's why people say you have to, you know, work out multiple times a week. You have to eat healthy most days to get the you know results of a healthy diet. So when we talk about recovery, what is a frequency schedule that you would suggest?

SPEAKER_00 19:43

I mean, essentially you just named it all right. So women who feel the biggest difference are the ones who make it a part of their routine. And so the ideal would be in some way, shape, or form, getting recovery two to three times a week. And obviously, if you have more, the better, but even once a week consistently will make a noticeable difference. The biggest mistake is that we're treating recovery as occasional, uh, where the benefits do come from consistency, just like anything else. And when we be when it becomes consistent, that's when it becomes a part of how you live and not just something that you're trying. Um, and and that's when you will feel, like I said, the biggest addition in your life and the biggest shifts that happen. And again, there are levels of shifts that happen, right? Like you immediately can feel better, but then what's happening inside of your body that you have no idea about, though those are that's where the magic happens, you know, in my opinion.

SPEAKER_01 20:34

Okay. And so frequency kind of depends on whatever brought you in, but at least at least one time a week and consistently. So when we say consistently, do you have like kind of a ballpark? Because I know a lot of people kind of like to measure. It's like, is it should I hold out for a month? Do you think like, you know, traditionally it's like three months? Like, what do you think is like when we should start to see a difference?

SPEAKER_00 20:58

Yeah, so I would say so. You it's kind of like a compounding effect. And so the first time you'll feel better, the second time, like, okay, right? Like, what's going on here? And so then you start to like experience the benefits more and more, but to start to really see like, wow, this is really impacting me, I would say a month. And then what uh always our site, our body body cycles every three months, and so that is where the cellular changes are happening. So doing it consistently for three months is where you will see it at the cellular level. Um, but I would definitely say um you it just compounds right more and more uh every week that you're doing it.

SPEAKER_01 21:35

And so when someone is trying to choose a modality, how would you suggest they go about like picking a service? Should they start with going in like, this is my list of symptoms, and this, or should they go in with like this is my result that I'm looking for? Like, how does someone kind of pick through what where they should start?

SPEAKER_00 21:53

Number one is just like starting really simple and just giving your body something uh that it needs and Of asking more from it, and so you know, you don't need to overhaul your life, you just need to take one moment where your body is feeling supported because once you feel it, then it clicks. And so, um, where they start is exactly what you named. It's what is it that you're feeling? What are your goals? And so then we can build a plan around that because someone who's coming in with chronic pain, that's going to be very different. And someone who's coming in because they're uh need better bounce back from working out, right? So they just look different depending on why you are there and what your goals are.

SPEAKER_01 22:34

And so, what do you typically see in clients when they start prioritizing these recoveries? Like, what are some of the positive outcomes that you've seen?

SPEAKER_00 22:43

Yeah, at first it's subtle, just like I started naming. So, first it's you know going to be like, oh, I feel so much better, or I feel like more relaxed. And you know, then you'll start to see um and hear, okay, and have better sleep, a little more energy, less tension, and then it builds, and then all of a sudden it's I'm being more consistent with my workouts. I'm not feeling as overwhelmed, I just feel better. That's the goal, right? To get to that place of just feeling better um and being able to do life better. I need it right now. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 23:16

Uh so are there any misconceptions on recovery that you like to domystify for people that are listening?

SPEAKER_00 23:25

Oh, the biggest one is I don't need it unless I'm injured or exhausted. Uh, it's like saying you only need to hydrate when you're dehydrated. Um, another misconception uh that I hear is recovery is a luxury. Like, you know, it's something that's indulgent. Um, it's something you do when you have extra time or when you've already hit a wall. And in reality, it's one of the most practical results-driven things you can do for your body. Um, the data is there. So it's not something that we can say, like, oh, this is brand new, and you know, they're still studying it. There is so much data. And everything that we offer at pause is there is no gimmick behind it. It is everything in there is science-backed, science-driven. And so, um, so yeah, so just if you go in there, now it's about to see and feel the results for yourself versus having to worry about whether this is just the latest fad that, you know, someone wants to get you in and try.

SPEAKER_01 24:24

Yeah, and that's where, you know, people I think get confused because if they don't have a pause locally to them, you know, they're trying to like figure it out on all these different types of wellness services. And so I think that this has been really helpful to start to kind of understand like what are these services and how do we start to work with our symptoms?

SPEAKER_00 24:45

Oh, absolutely. And I also want to name, you know, uh obviously we're offering pause, and I like to also say like we're making the uncomfortable comfortable and making it really easy for you. But there are so many things that you can do to mimic the effects, you know. Again, they're not going to be to the same scale, but you can take a really cold shower, right? That will give you that cold, you know, cold shock that you need. Um, you can, you know, uh mimic, right? Like heat exposure. Um, again, they're not going to be the same. So I'm not naming that, but it's to say like these things are more accessible for us. It's just that we, as anybody wants, you know, I want to go away to do that to be able to get away um from everything, you know, from life. So I can sit there in a really pretty setting and somebody else takes care of me instead of you know me having to then have to worry about, you know, being interrupted or anything like that. But but I just want to name that too, because for us, it really is about the effects of these services, not just about coming in specifically to pause, even though we would love to see you at pause. It really is about the biggest um what things we're doing for ourselves as women, especially, but for anybody.

SPEAKER_01 25:54

That's so interesting. I didn't even really think about that. Like, yeah, you could just turn on your shower and get in a really cold shower every day and do it. But no, I agree with you. It is so much better to go to a place because no one's gonna bother you and you have that unsolicited time just to really focus on recovery, which I think is something that like you had already kind of mentioned, we just don't prioritize, we just prioritize the work. And it's like, well, how can you keep working if you never pun intended pause?

SPEAKER_00 26:25

No.

SPEAKER_01 26:28

So if someone is completely new and they do want to come to pause, if they are local or if they have a pause in their neighborhood, what would a first visit look like?

SPEAKER_00 26:38

Oh my gosh, it's so simple. It just starts with a conversation, it's not intimidating, not overwhelming. It's actually just really approachable. Um, we meet you where you are, we understand what you're feeling, then guide you into the right services, not into everything, just what makes sense for you. Um, you know, and then we guide you uh into something that's gonna help you feel better right away. Um, and then you know, most people leave thinking, um, oh, I didn't, I didn't know I needed that. You know, as most of us women, I know that I I do. I was doing these services for a while, and then I I had to stop and to, you know, because it was just a moment in time where it's just too much going on. And I was just like, oh no, I need to get back in. I didn't realize, I didn't know that I needed that. I didn't know that it was impacting me in this way. And so um, you just become much more alert to what your body's, you know, telling you.

SPEAKER_01 27:29

And that's a great information too, that I I'm really happy that pause like takes a very brief, like introductory, like questionnaire. And I think that's an important nuance for listeners to take away. Like, wherever you go and get these services, they should be asking you questions like about what your goals are and how you're feeling. And and that should be really the first conversation rather than trying all the things. It's like, well, let's fine-tune what is the thing that you're looking for, like maybe the results or the symptom relief that you're looking for.

SPEAKER_00 27:59

Absolutely. It's not going and you know, again, for people who say, I hate the cold, I'm not going to do the cold. That's fine. This is going to wait here right for you when you are ready to give it a try. Um, in the meantime, let's let's go over here and you know, work you through these other um ways that feel better and a better fit for you, uh, specifically.

SPEAKER_01 28:22

So, I mean, I have to say I have done the float before. The float is magical. I mean, just like the de-stress alone, I've done the compression um cuffs before. Those are just really great for like if you have had some like really heavy. I like I did them after a Disney trip because we walked one million steps, and that was just like all I needed. I was like, I just need someone to like I want an elephant to sit on my legs and squeeze them out. It's not the same feeling, but you know what I'm talking about. And I've and I have done lots of sauna in my life. Um, cold plunge and cryo is one of the ones that I've all I am when you're like, oh, the people like I hate the cold, that is me. So I'm happy to like learn more about it and be like, well, why would I put myself in that? And you said it was for inflammation, you said it was for immunity building. So I was like, ugh, okay. That makes it makes a lot of sense.

SPEAKER_00 29:16

And so it may be something that I'll try in the future, but I am one of those people that I'm like, I'm telling you, yes, yeah, I'm telling you, number one, uh, the cryotherapy in particular, most people walk out and said it wasn't as bad as I thought. That is something they walk out and they walk out feeling great, and then the cold plunge, they say, Okay, I can try it again. Like it wasn't, I didn't love it, but I can because they feel so good, it's like I can I can do it again. And um, and I also want to add, like, you know, so many, it's about your body. Um, you know, you will hear, you will read about so many protocols and go in for nine minutes. And I call it the bro, the pro session, where you know, the guys are just like, who can go in for longer? That is not, that is not what the science is telling us. That is not what your body is telling you, you know. So you go in um as as long as you can tolerate. I do think it becomes a battle between mental and physical. And so if you can go in there and make a goal, that's what it's about. Make a goal. I can do this for a minute, you know, then you're going to be great. If you win in for 15 seconds, you won. You will not lose no matter what your exposure is. You do not lose. And that's also the beauty in this. There's so many things that we try in life, and oh, we failed. And people try to make this into another thing that you might fail at all because you only did it for 15 seconds. No, you win in for 15 seconds and now you've won, you've exposed yourself to the cold. Now you mentally understand what it feels like. And so next time, if you feel like it, go and try a little more. Go in for 18 seconds, right? And so until you can build up um your tolerance um to that. But that's how I say it's just go in. It's not as bad as you think, ladies, at all.

SPEAKER_01 31:00

Ah, well, and I think kind of going back to your original description of what these modalities are for, they are for like personalized support of your body. And so going in to pause, there's definitely a lot of science behind like the measurement of time, like how long you're in there is based on scientific data. But going back to that original statement of, well, this is a personalized support for your body. So if 15 seconds is all that you mentally want to do, like that's kind of part of the process. So any of these modalities are all about like personalized support of building yourself from like the inside out. And so, I mean, I for me, I'm like, okay, next time I do it, maybe I'll do 20 seconds because now I know like this is like about my body and how I need it to be. And maybe eventually I'll get up to that standard of what the science is saying for the most benefit. But if I'm doing this for like a personal reason, then I can allow my body to help me dictate.

SPEAKER_00 31:57

It can be the compass here, and you'll be met with high fives and so much happiness for you that have done it and gone through that. We I just personally get so excited um when women go in there because again, it's mostly women that will say, like, no. Um, but it is so joyful when they come out and say, you know, number one, you see and feel the lift off of them, like they just like I feel that they feel better, but it's also the joy of like I did it. And you know, especially when you come and you do it with a friend, it's so much. Oh my gosh, so cool. So I just I get joy from all of those things.

SPEAKER_01 32:32

And we think a lot about how it is for like the muscles and and the joints, but it feels like that euphoria as well. Like that's a horrible thing. Oh my gosh, yes. So that's a very interesting. I mean, I don't want to ride roller coasters anymore. So I think a cool plunge would probably be that euphoria hit that I'm looking for in a probably better way.

SPEAKER_00 32:52

Oh, in a much better way.

SPEAKER_01 32:55

So while I have you, what would you say is your favorite service?

SPEAKER_00 32:59

No, that's so hard. People ask me that all the time. I will tell you, yes, I will tell you the ones that um um again, most women say it, and I do, I do say it too. Um, I don't only reason I don't love flow is because of my hair. I don't want my hair. I'm like, oh so I was like, somebody come up with an invention for you to be able to do flow without wetting your hair, that'd be great. And so uh we do recommend just come on hair wash day. You'll be fine, right? Like so that it doesn't interrupt. So that's a night, a better flow. Uh, but I will say the ones that I do most avidly are red light because of my psoriasis. Um, and because it's a quick, you get in there, you get in, you get out. Uh, and then sauna. I sauna almost uh seven days a week, uh, most most days. Um, so yeah.

SPEAKER_01 33:45

Yeah, I have read that red light is for the skin. Um I've been into red light therapy, and I know you can it was more about the the type of therapy that you did was based on kind of like what you're looking for. So if it was like for collagen building, if it was for for skin rejuvenation, or if it was for like joint care, I remember I've been able to choose. So that's really what red light therapy is for. It could be for skin. Okay, interesting.

SPEAKER_00 34:12

Yeah, and so we call I know we say red light because I think that's the one that's most uh known, but it is called LED light there, you know, like LED light therapy, and red light is one of the options. So just like you were naming, so there are different lights that target different goals.

SPEAKER_01 34:25

Interesting. Okay, cool. Well, one last question while I have you today. If there's one shift you wish more women would make when it comes to their health and recovery, what would that be? Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_00 34:39

I would say stop pushing through everything. Just because you can doesn't mean you should. You don't need more discipline, you don't need to do more. Um, your body isn't something to fight with, it's just it's something to support. And when you start doing that, everything changes. You know, that's the shift. If you've been feeling tired or off or like something just isn't clicking in your body anymore, it's not you, it's that your body just needs support. And once you feel that, it's so hard to go back.

SPEAKER_01 35:12

And give yourself one month. You're gonna feel good after the first one, but at least give yourself a month to try it and see how it's gonna change everything for you.

SPEAKER_00 35:22

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 35:23

Oh well, this was super informative. I really appreciate you coming on and domystifying some of these services that we hear so much about and like why we need them, how long we need to do them, and really like how to start to implement them in our lives. Cause I agree with you. I think that recovery is really important.

SPEAKER_00 35:41

What is so important? Um, remember, it's not about doing more. It's just, you know, what is gonna help us to do what we already do. Um, so well, by the way. Everybody's doing wonderfully, much better than you think you really are. Oh, thank you.

SPEAKER_01 35:55

That was really amazing to hear.

unknown 35:57

Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 35:58

Well, I'll link in the show notes for anyone that is local to the Atlanta area and how they can come in and visit pause. Um, and Lisa, thank you so very much for coming on to the podcast today.

SPEAKER_00 36:10

Well, thank you, and thank you for the conversations that you're holding. I mean, I was listening to them and I'm like, I feel so seen and heard, and is I just think it's just so important at this time in our life. So thank you so much for holding space.

SPEAKER_01 36:22

Oh, thanks so much for saying that. As we wrap up today, I think one of the biggest takeaways from this conversation with Lisa is that supporting your body isn't about doing more. It's about being more intentional and also really diving into your recovery. And while so many of these practices like sauna, cold exposure have been around for centuries, we're now really seeing a growing body of research supporting their impact on things like cardiovascular health, inflammation, muscle recovery, and even longevity. So this idea of recovery isn't just a trend, it is something that's both deeply rooted and increasingly backed by science. If this conversation resonated with you and you're curious to experience PAWES for yourself, Lisa has so kindly extended something very special to our community. If you book at PAUS, you can use the code Katie E-A-D-C to receive 30% off your service plus a complimentary cryo or red light session during your visit. I'll put that in the show notes, but go to pause and enter in the code Katie K-A-T-I-E-A-D-C to receive that 30% off. And as always, if you did enjoy this episode so much that you would like to share and follow along, please, please do so. This allows the podcast to keep going and growing. And I cannot thank you enough for tuning in and being a part of all this together. Until next time, here is to your health. This is Wellness After 40.