Sheffield’s wellness scene has been steadily evolving, but few places have made as much of an impact in such a short time as R1SE Urban Spa. Offering a mix of breathwork, hot and cold therapy, and red-light therapy, R1SE has quickly become a go-to spot for those looking to improve their physical and mental well-being.
But while ice baths and saunas have exploded in popularity, there’s still plenty of scepticism and misinformation surrounding their benefits. That’s where Tim Hughes comes in. An Anaesthetist, Tim isn’t here to sell you a magic cure, nor is he offering medical advice. What he is offering is a scientific perspective on how these therapies work, their potential benefits, and – crucially – how to use them safely. His journey from sceptic to advocate is one of personal transformation, resilience, and a deep dive into the fascinating science of the human body.
Tim Hughes never set out to become a wellness consultant. A Sheffield-based Anaesthetist with experience in anaesthesia for surgery, as well as intensive care, his work involves keeping people safe for their surgery and providing treatment for those who are critically unwell – far removed from the world of ice baths and breathwork classes. But after years of high-stress environments, personal struggles with anxiety, and the mental toll of the pandemic, he found himself in need of something to help him cope.
“A friend first introduced me to breathwork,” he says. “She’d been through drug and alcohol addiction recovery and swore by it. I thought it was ridiculous. It’s just breathing, right? How could that possibly make a difference?”
It turned out to be life-changing.
Tim’s daily routine now begins with a 30-minute breathwork session before he starts his hospital shift. “It reduces my stress levels, helps my decision-making, and makes me a better doctor, father, and husband,” he explains.
“The science behind it is fascinating. It’s the only automatic function of the body that we can also fully control, and by doing so, we can influence everything from stress responses to focus and recovery.”
His scientific curiosity soon extended beyond breathwork. After suffering a cycling accident in 2024, which left him with a fractured clavicle and an impaired right hand, he was forced to take two months off work and re-learn basic motor skills. It was a frustrating, isolating period – until he discovered R1SE.
“I walked in, had a chat with Chris and Jen, tried an ice bath for the first time, and left feeling better than I had in months,” he recalls. “It was a rare moment of clarity.”
He became fascinated by the physiology of hot and cold exposure, diving into the research of experts like Dr. Susanna Söberg and Professor Mike Tipton, both pioneers in cold water immersion and thermal therapy.
“I’ve read more scientific articles than I care to admit,” he laughs. “But the evidence is coming – regular cold exposure is likely to reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health and mental resilience, and even enhance recovery for athletes. Saunas, on the other hand, have been linked to improved cardiovascular health, better sleep, and stress reduction.”
His growing interest in the science behind these therapies led to an informal chat in the sauna with R1SE founder Chris, which soon turned into a collaboration. Tim now volunteers his time at R1SE, training staff on physiological principles, safety protocols, and best practices for maximising the benefits of the therapies they offer.
“I’m not here as a doctor giving out medical advice,” he clarifies. “Anyone with medical conditions, for example heart disease, epilepsy, or high blood pressure should consult their GP before trying ice baths or saunas. My role is to help make sure R1SE is following best practice, that staff understand the science, and that clients are getting the most out of their experience in a safe way.”
That commitment to safety and education has already had an impact. Tim has helped R1SE establish defibrillator access, updated safety procedures for cold water immersion, and ensured all staff are trained to guide clients properly through the experience.
“There’s a lot of misinformation out there,” he says. “Some people treat ice baths like an extreme sport, but long-term benefits come from controlled, sustainable exposure – not pushing yourself to the limit every time. It’s about consistency, not endurance.”
As he continues his journey with R1SE, Tim is set to train under Patrick McKeown, a world-renowned breathwork expert, to become an Oxygen Advantage Master Instructor. The long-term plan? To make R1SE not just a place for clients to experience these therapies, but a hub for training other professionals in how to use them safely and effectively.
“I genuinely believe R1SE can set the standard for this industry,” he says. “And I love that I get to be a part of that journey.
R1SE Urban Spa is open now in The Nichols Building, Sheffield. Whether you’re looking to boost recovery, manage stress, or just feel the best you’ve felt in ages, their guided breathwork, cold immersion, and sauna therapies offer a scientifically backed approach to wellness.
And if you’ve ever wondered what an anaesthetist gets up to in his spare time – well, now you know.
