Cold Plunge Research Institute Conference

The aim of the Cold Plunge Research Institute conference is to gather experts and connect cold plunge leaders in wellness businesses, sports, first responders and science/medicine practices. Throughout CPRI, we share research findings, case studies, and protocols, as well as guide continuing research on the use of cold plunge therapy in the following topics:

• wellness & contrast therapy business learnings

• the importance of science and education

• mental health and resilience

• turning “work mode” off for first responders

• incorporating holistic wellness practices

• performance boosts for athletes

• speeding up injury recovery ​

• improving mitochondrial health to heal the body
   

​Explore our roundtables and topic details further below.

Sports Roundtable

This workshop reviews how athletes can use cold therapy techniques to enhance their competition & speed recovery. As athletes push their bodies to the limits during competition, they need to use recovery & injury prevention tools to become a next level athlete. In 2025, our featured speakers for this roundtable were Sean Drake, Shea Thompson, & AQ Shipley.
 

Topics covered include:

• boosting performance

• mental benefits

• best cold plunge practices for competition

• speeding up injury recovery​

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First Responder Roundtable

This workshop was designed specifically for first responders looking to incorporate cold therapy techniques into their recovery & wellness routines. ​As heroes who put their bodies on the line daily, first responders deserve evidence-based recovery tools. In 2025, our featured speakers for this roundtable were Rich Ganley, Sean Smiley, Matthew Domyancic, & Adam Boyd.
 

Topics covered include:

• mental health & resilience

• turning "work mode" off

• healthy alternatives to the dopamine chase

• accessible pathways & policies for on duty provisions 

• incorporating holistic wellness practices​​

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Wellness Business Roundtable

This roundtable is for business owners who are looking to incorporate the health benefits of cold plunge therapy into their wellness practice. As advocates who promote holistic well-being daily, wellness business owners benefit from science-backed restoration technologies. In 2025, some of our featured speakers for this roundtable were Matt Keiper & Thomas Seager, PhD.
 

Topics covered include:

• wellness & contrast therapy business learnings

• navigating challenges

• client & guest feedback

• the importance of science & education

• department of health compliance

 

Science/Medicine Roundtable

This roundtable is for those in science-based or medical spaces who are looking to incorporate the benefits of cold plunge therapy into their medical practices or research focus, as well as cold plunge practitioners who are interested in the science behind cold water therapy. As professionals who base decisions on scientific evidence daily, scientists & medical practitioners value the data & research of cold therapy. In 2025, our featured speakers for this roundtable were Thomas Seager, PhD, Andrea Romero, Nicole Rincon MS, PA-C, & Dr. Jacob D. Perkins.
 

Topics covered include:

• mitochondrial health

• metabolic dysfunction

• effects of cold plunge on various illnesses

• recent case studies & data on cold therapy​

• implementing cold therapy as a treatment method​​​​