We had the good fortune of connecting with Ciaran Flanagan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ciaran, how did you come up with the idea for your business?

After quarantine, my work, health, and relationships spiraled downward. Days stretched into nights as I toiled away for 12 hours fueled by coffee, only to seek solace in weekend escapades. But after months of this cycle, I hit a breaking point. It was clear—I needed a change to reclaim my physical and mental well-being.

After a five-minute plunge into my DIY chest freezer clarity washed over me, leaving me feeling rejuvenated, focused, and more aligned with my true self. Yet, despite experiencing this, I found myself questioning why I wasn’t incorporating this practice into my daily routine.

It dawned on me that the prospect of dealing with murky water, uncomfortable metal surfaces, and the constant need for maintenance and repairs sapped my motivation. Drawing upon my mechanical engineering expertise and years spent designing cooling systems for gas turbine engines at Caterpillar Inc., I embarked on a journey to engineer a superior solution.

Thus, Inergize Health was born. Through this venture, I quit alcohol (no easy feat for an Irish lad) and forged a community centered around cold plunging in San Diego.

I founded Inergize Health with a singular mission: to empower individuals to take meaningful steps toward becoming the best version of themselves.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

At Inergize Health, we’re a rapidly growing startup in the direct-to-consumer wellness industry, renowned for our innovative product, The Inergize Cold Plunge. Since our crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, we’ve successfully expanded our e-commerce operations.

I take pride in launching a business single-handedly, especially considering my origins in a small town in Northern Ireland and my background in engineering. Realizing that engineering wasn’t my true calling, I took a leap of faith after a solo trip to Bali and immersed myself in learning digital marketing.

My journey led me to join Launchboom, where I honed my marketing skills and learned how to bring products to market using platforms like Indiegogo and Kickstarter. Armed with this knowledge, I launched Inergize Health on Indiegogo, but faced adversity when I was unexpectedly let go during the launch. Living in San Diego with no income and spending $500/day on ads, the pressure was intense, marking one of the toughest periods of my life.

From this experience, I gleaned the importance of having a supportive community, especially when pursuing non-traditional paths. Lacking a robust entrepreneurial network at the time, I felt the impact. Since then, I’ve made a deliberate effort to surround myself with like-minded individuals on similar paths, fostering mutual support and growth.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Places to Eat: Konos in Pacific Beach – Breakfast
Cannonball in Pacific Beach for sushi
Davanti in Little Italy for their cheese bread
Javier’s in La Jolla for Mexican
Mr. A’s for sushi in Bankers Hill

Places to Drink:

Nolita Hall in Little Italy
Cafe Sevilla Downtown for salsa
Kettner Exchange in Little Italy
Princess Pub in Little Italy during the day

Places to Visit:

Balboa Park – Museums, gardens, and architecture
La Jolla Cove – Snorkeling, kayaking, and beach activities
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve – Hiking with ocean views
Coronado Island – Beaches, Hotel del Coronado, and Orange Avenue
Old Town San Diego – Historic landmarks, museums, and shops
Sunset Cliffs – Coastal views and rock formations

Places to Hang Out:

Pacific Beach or Mission Beach – Beach activities and relaxation
Gaslamp Quarter – Vibrant nightlife and entertainment
North Park – Hip vibe, artsy scene, and trendy cafes
Ocean Beach – Sunset watching and beachside strolls
Sunset Cliffs – Scenic drive and sunset viewing
Waterfront areas in Coronado or La Jolla – Relaxing by the water

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

A big shout out to Alex Hormozi and Tom Bilyeu! I’ve been following their podcasts and content for years, and they’ve had a profound impact on my life and journey.

I also want to express my deep gratitude to my brother, Conor Flanagan. Launching a business was incredibly challenging, both mentally and emotionally, especially with limited capital and resources. Conor was my rock during those tough times, offering support and valuable advice that helped me navigate through the pressure and uncertainty. His presence made all the difference.

Website: https://www.inergizehealth.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inergizehealth

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