Diving into Resilience: Lindsay's Journey
Hi Loves,
My name is Lindsay Dunphy, and today I want to open up about what led me to Cold Water Therapy and Breath work. My journey is a transformation born from the depths of loss, challenges, and the desire to create a longer, more fulfilling life for me and my family.
Lessons
I have learned many lessons so far in my life. Growing up without and moving every few years taught me how to adapt and overcome. Becoming a single mother at twenty three, taught me resilience and real love. Having two children, in two years, taught me your heart does expand with each child, the true beauty of motherhood and to trust the strength of my body. But, the biggest lesson I have learned so far, was learning the reality of my own mortality. We all die right? but, in the distance…. far away… until something wakes you up and reminds you that this is not forever…
Memento Mori
Growing up my Father was quite literally larger than life! He was a big man with a soft disposition. His presence was constant and unwavering. As a child you know one day you will lose your parents… One day far from now, when you are old too! Maybe they will get sick or very old, you will say goodbye and send them off with love. That's how I always imagined it at least. But, in 2021, while five months pregnant with my youngest daughter, I lost my Father suddenly to cardiac arrest. It was an earthquake that rattled my core. Losing a parent is said to remind you of your own mortality and it did just that.
When it all changed
As I pulled into the driveway of my parents home, the ambulance lights reflecting blue and red onto the houses along their street. I passed the empty stretcher, my mom's words echoing in my ears “I need you here, your Father is not waking up, come now”. The rest was a blur, my Mother crumbling into my arms screaming “he’s gone! he’s gone!” Calls to my sisters, my aunt. What are you supposed to do? Why doesn’t my Mom remember how long she has lived in this house? She must be in shock. I will take over, I will answer all the questions, make all the arrangements. The grief that followed was nothing I had experienced yet in my thirty- three years. This man who was there yesterday, my Dad…. just gone? The question everyone asked? How? How did he die? Was he sick? My answer was always the same, “he didn’t take care of himself” My Father had been neglecting his health for many years, yo-yo dieting, smoking, and divulging in processed foods… you name it - if it was fun and unhealthy he was in! Unfortunately this zest for life was also what ended his life earlier than it had to…
Beginning my journey to health
Some months after my Fathers passing and a few weeks after giving birth to my daughter, we all contracted covid. I was very overweight and had for years been following to some degree the same lifestyle my Father had. I became significantly more sick than the rest of my family and at this time I realized that I wanted to be here… I wanted to be the healthiest, most present version of myself and extend my longevity as much as I could.
Research, Research, Research
I started reading books & articles, listening to all the podcasts I could find on longevity. For the first time in my life researching nutrition for health instead of for weight loss. My goal was to keep up with my kids, live a long healthy life. I was using breath work, eating clean and nutritious food. Feeling the best I have ever felt in my own body. Also, during this time my Mother was diagnosed with early onset dementia, a story for another time… But, If you have experienced watching a parent slowly disappear before your eyes due to this disease then you know…. I was even more motivated to not only stay alive but remain cognitive during my later years.
What does any of this have to do with cold plunging?
Cold water immersion and breathwork became a lifeline woven from my struggles. One day my research brought me to cold water immersion… I really had no desire to immerse myself into freezing water. But, I kept hearing about it. How it helps with inflammation and also with focus. It was what was called a healthy stressor to your body… I wasn’t sold, I had enough stress. But,I eventually tried it. What I found was remarkable. It actually worked… I felt more agile, younger in my body, my appetite suppressed and my body felt more lean. I was able to get to a clear head while in the cold and really focus on my breathing. The feeling after you are done is euphoric. I fell in love with it.
Mornings shifted from mere routines to intentional rituals. Cold showers turned into a powerful embrace, a tangible way to face life's challenges head-on. It became a daily affirmation: "I can do hard things." As a mom of three, a wife, a business owner, and a caretaker for my mother, time became a precious commodity. Those five minutes in the morning, challenging myself with the cold, set a tone of resilience for the rest of the day. And breathwork? It became a secret weapon, a tool to regulate the chaos, even when dealing with a stubborn four-year-old.
Teaching
The pain, the struggles, the tears—it all shaped me. But then came the pivotal moment. I asked Caitlin at the Soul School if I could bring this transformative experience to her winter retreat. Picture this: 10-degree weather, snow falling, six incredible women, breathwork, and cold plunges. The laughter, the tears, the shared triumph—women who once said they'd never do it, embracing the challenge and emerging stronger. What I saw during this retreat was such a powerful confirmation that this was more than a bio hack, a piece of the longevity puzzle. This was a community experience and an amazing tool for mental health.
In the aftermath, Khione Wellness was born—a labor of love crafted from my own pain and healing. Group online sessions, one-on-one connections, in-person events, and retreats—all channels to share the transformative magic.
And to make it deeply personal, I crafted a companion journal. It's more than pages; it's a sanctuary to track moods, set intentions, and manifest dreams—a reflection of the profound journey we're on.
So, join me in this intimate, soul-stirring venture. Let's transform together, honoring the roots of resilience, courage, and the unwavering spirit that defines my story.
Love, Lindsay
