Fire & Ice
Burn away what no longer serves.
The year is ending. The pressure is building. Most men just push through it.
December asks a lot. Family, money, travel, expectations, and the quiet weight of a year that didn't go the way you planned. Most of us carry it alone and call that strength.
Fire & Ice is a morning to set it down, on the edge of the longest night of the year, with other men doing the same. Heat that loosens what talking can't. Cold that brings you all the way back into your body. A circle where you can say what's actually true.
Name what you're done carrying. Burn it. Walk back out into the cold a little lighter.
No experience needed. No performance required. Just men showing up as they are.
Two and a half hours of circle, heat and cold
We gather in a covered outdoor space in downtown Lyons, on the St. Vrain River, while the sauna heats. Then we move through rounds of fire and ice.
Arrive and land
Coffee and tea, the fire going, nothing to do yet. Let the week fall off.
Silent movement at the fire
Before anyone speaks, we move together around the fire in silence. Simple, slow, nothing to perform. A way to arrive in your body and leave the drive behind.
Opening circle
We set a simple agreement about confidentiality, then each man names what he's ready to burn away and writes it down to carry through the morning.
Fire & ice rounds
Sauna, cold plunge or snow, rest by the fire. Repeat at your own pace. We rotate in small groups so no one waits in the cold.
Closing at the fire
Each man burns what he wrote and names one word for what he's calling in to the new year.
Official close
The circle ends. The sauna and plunges stay open for anyone who wants to linger.
What to bring
We'll be outside under cover in December, moving between real heat and real cold. Dress for both. The venue is in downtown Lyons, about 25 minutes from Boulder, with plenty of parking. The exact address comes by email after you reserve.
- Swim trunks or shorts for the sauna
- Two towels (one for the sauna, one for after the plunge)
- Sandals or slides you can slip on and off
- Warm layers, a beanie, and a robe or big jacket
- A water bottle. Hydrate before you come.
- An open mind. Nothing else required.
Reserve your spot
Pricing is on a sliding scale so cost doesn't keep anyone out. Pick the amount that fits your life right now. No questions asked.
$45 supported · $55 covers your spot · $65 pays it forward
Reserve Your Spot →Secure checkout via Stripe. If $45 is a stretch, reach out. A few supported spots are available.
Before you come
I've never done a men's circle. Is this for me?
Yes. Most men who come to a first circle feel unsure walking in. You'll never be put on the spot, and you can share as much or as little as you want. Listening counts.
Do I need sauna or cold plunge experience?
No. Everything is at your own pace. Stay in the heat as long as feels good, step out whenever you want, and choose snow, the plunge, or just the fire for cooling down.
Are there health considerations?
Heat and cold exposure aren't right for everyone. If you have a heart condition, high or low blood pressure, are taking medications that affect heat tolerance, or have any other health concern, check with your doctor before attending. Please don't drink alcohol beforehand. Everyone signs a short participation waiver before the event.
Is this therapy?
No. Fire & Ice is a community gathering, not a clinical or therapy service. It's a space for connection, reflection and ritual among men.
What about confidentiality?
We open with a simple agreement: what's shared in the circle stays in the circle. Names and contact information of attendees are never shared with anyone.
What if I can't make it after I book?
Full refund up to 7 days before the event. After that, you're welcome to transfer your spot to a friend. Just email david@witnessingyou.com.
Let the old year burn.
Come back to yourself.
Twenty spots. One morning. A fire, a circle, and men willing to be honest.