OtherShip’s Robbie Bent on Sauna Culture, Sober Socializing & the Future of Emotional Wellness

In this episode of The Layover, we sit down with Robbie Bent, CEO and co-founder of OtherShip, a fast-growing wellness concept blending sauna, ice baths, breathwork, music, comedy, and emotionally driven group classes into a new kind of social experience.What started as a backyard ice bath community in Toronto has evolved into a cult-favorite wellness brand with locations in Toronto and New York, designed for people looking to connect, decompress, and socialize without alcohol.Robbie breaks down how OtherShip is:Reimagining sauna and cold plunge culture as a platform for emotional wellnessCreating sober social spaces through DJ nights, comedy, singles events, and guided classesUsing hot and cold exposure to help people feel more open, present, and connectedBuilding community around shared experiences instead of phones, alcohol, or nightlife pressureDesigning spaces that feel more like a boutique hotel or social club than a fitness studioScaling from a backyard experiment to major New York buildouts with a deeply loyal followingThe conversation also explores Robbie’s own path from sobriety to entrepreneurship, the rise of sober-curious culture, the loneliness epidemic in major cities, and why OtherShip’s most powerful product may not be the sauna or the ice bath—but the permission it gives people to be human together.Whether you’re interested in wellness, hospitality, nightlife, community building, or the future of alcohol-free social spaces, this episode offers a look at how OtherShip is turning recovery, connection, and emotional release into a new kind of modern ritual.🧊 Learn More Follow Robbie Bent on LinkedIn or Instagram, and explore OtherShip to learn more about its sauna, ice bath, and emotional wellness experiences.