When people ask me why I started a mobile sauna business, the answer begins long before I ever thought about owning one.
I grew up in Kazakhstan, where the sauna—known to many as a banya—was more than just a place to get warm. It was part of life. Every week, my family would gather for what wasn't simply a bath, but a tradition. It was a time to slow down, clean up, and reconnect with the people around us.
As I got older, the sauna became a place to spend time with friends. Some of my favorite memories are sitting on the hot benches, talking for hours, laughing, and sharing life together. There was something about the heat that made conversations more genuine. Phones disappeared, distractions faded, and people were simply present with one another.
One of the most unforgettable parts of growing up was experiencing the contrast between the intense heat of the sauna and the freezing winters of Kazakhstan. After a long session, we would run outside into the snow to cool off before heading back into the warmth. It was exhilarating and refreshing—an experience that's hard to describe until you've felt it yourself.
Looking back, I realize the sauna gave me much more than relaxation. It gave me community. Some of my best memories were made alongside friends and mentors, where conversations ranged from everyday life to faith, goals, and the future. Those moments shaped me in ways I didn't fully appreciate at the time.
Years later, after moving to Tennessee, I noticed that while many people had experienced a sauna, few had experienced the sense of fellowship and tradition that I grew up with. That realization planted the seed for Smoky Banya Mobile Sauna.
My goal isn't simply to rent out a sauna. It's to create a space where people can disconnect from the busyness of life, reconnect with family and friends, and experience the physical and mental benefits that have been part of my life since childhood.
Whether you're looking to recover after a workout, relax after a stressful week, or simply enjoy meaningful time with the people you care about, I hope our sauna becomes a place where lasting memories are made—just as it was for me growing up.
This is only the beginning of the story. In future blogs, I'll share more about sauna traditions, the science behind heat and cold therapy, and why this centuries-old practice continues to improve lives today.
Welcome to the journey.
— Stefan, Founder of Smoky Banya Mobile Sauna