Othership’s Journey from Backyard Concept to Wellness Movement

CBRE’s Matthew Pieszchala and Adam Occhipinti were all in on Othership from the moment they heard the pitch from its founder.

“Othership is a space for transformation that allows ‘Journeyers ’  or ‘Shipheads’, as clients are known,  to use saunas to sweat, ice baths to drop into and a commons to be yourself with others,” explains Pieszchala, a retail broker in CBRE’s Toronto West office who along with Occhipinti has helped Othership to secure its two Toronto locations.

Visitors can book guided journeys, free flow classes and take part in alcohol-free social events. All they need to bring is a bathing suit, a water bottle and an open mind.

“Othership has had a transformational impact on my life,” Pieszchala says.

Humble Beginnings

It all started at a friend’s wedding when Pieszchala was seated next to Robbie Bent, who would become Othership’s CEO.

“He told me he was three years sober,” recalls Pieszchala. “I was going through a similar journey with alcohol, so when he said he had a concept for an alcohol-free community focused on emotional regulation through the modalities of hot and cold, I was intrigued.”

The next day Bent invited Pieszchala to his home to test the first-generation ice bath he had installed in his backyard. Impressed, Pieszchala convinced Occhipinti to meet with Bent and his team to hear the full pitch. “I remember sitting at the kitchen table and having that lightbulb moment as they pitched the idea,” says Occhipinti. “I’ve been fully involved ever since.”

Pieszchala has even gone beyond his brokerage role to ensure the success of the Othership concept. He has developed and led classes, travelled to New York to lead breathwork facilitation trips and attended weekends with the creative team to help design the Othership experience. Pieszchala even got the Othership logo tattooed on his body. “Othership is now a part of us. That’s how much we believe in this, not just as a business, but as an important tool for life.”

Growing the Community

Othership’s team set out to open their first location in 2021, in the depths of the pandemic.

“It was a crazy idea,” says Pieszchala. “No one was signing leases at the time, no one wanted to be in a small hot room with 30 other people, but the team was committed to their vision regardless of what was happening in the world.”

Not everyone was as eager as they were. Having never had tenants like this before, landlords were skeptical about putting ice plunges and saunas in their spaces. Pieszchala and Occhipinti persisted, though, advocating for the Othership vision and its benefits. After some convincing, they secured Othership’s first Toronto location at the base of an office building at 425 Adelaide St. W.

Since then, Othership’s growth has been skyrocketing. Pieszchala and Occhipinti recently helped Othership ink a lease for their second Toronto location at 110 Bloor Street West, in a residential building in Yorkville. Othership has partnered with Jaybird, a Pilates studio owned by Bent’s sister, to fill the 11,000 sq. ft. space.

To seal the deal they gave the prospective landlord a tour of Othership’s existing Adelaide location, showcasing the concept. Pieszchala and Occhipinti were so passionate with their pitch the landlord mistook them for Othership employees. “We see ourselves as true brand ambassadors for our clients,” says Pieszchala. “Believing in the vision you’re selling makes all the difference.”

Recently, Occhipinti and Pieszchala collaborated with CBRE’s Cassie Durand to find two New York City locations for Othership: one in Manhattan and another in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighbourhood. Both are currently under construction. And the team plans to bring Othership to more North American cities in the coming years.

Becoming a Wellness Leader

Othership is at the forefront of a new social wellness trend that emerged from the pandemic.

“It’s now in vogue to be healthy,” says Occhipinti. “Interest in living a healthy lifestyle is going up and the benefits of saunas, ice baths and breathwork are being recognized.”

“People are craving community but want healthy alternatives to drinking and clubs,” adds Pieszchala. “Othership fills that void by providing a space where people can break down barriers, be vulnerable and create meaningful bonds.”

Both Pieszchala and Occhipinti are regulars at Othership, often bringing colleagues and clients, and booking the space for retail broker nights. They’ve noticed a lot of new faces at Othership over the past few months.

“Othership’s community is second to none,” says Occhipinti. “As a retail broker, it was mind-blowing to see that they had a huge following before having a permanent location. That community continues to grow today.”

As the Othership community flourishes, Pieszchala and Occhipinti are busy answering calls from interested landlords.

“The concept has proven itself,” says Pieszchala. “Landlords are recognizing that it’s a major amenity. Everyone wants a piece of Othership.”

Othership’s original Adelaide location is operating at capacity. And celebrities are getting into the experience too; UFC chief Dana White posted about his Othership experience during a recent visit to Toronto.

“We are on the precipice of big cultural change,” says Occhipinti. “Living a healthy and alcohol-free lifestyle is becoming cool. Othership is leading that wave.”