Why I Cold Plunge: How Discomfort Creates Growth in Life etc.
Written by Mardi Chadwick-Balcom, Esq.—cold plunge enthusiast, coach, mediator, and fifty-something woman navigating the ever-evolving adventure of business, wellness, and life.
Cold Plunge Adventures
Most people think I’m a little crazy when I tell them I choose to sit in a tub of freezing water several times a week. But cold plunging has become one of the most powerful practices I use—not just for my body, but for my mindset, my nervous system, and how I show up in my work and life. In this post, I’ll share why I cold plunge, the science-backed benefits, and how this simple (but not easy) practice ties directly into the work I do with my coaching clients and divorce mediation clients.
The Power of Discomfort
Let’s be honest—nobody looks forward to stepping into cold water. Your body immediately screams, "No!" Your mind races with reasons to get out. But that’s exactly the point.
Every time I get in the cold plunge, I practice what I teach: learning how to sit in discomfort, breathe through it, and choose how I respond. It’s a physical and mental training ground that reminds me, every single time, that I can do hard things.
The Science Behind Cold Plunging
There’s a reason cold plunging has become so popular—it works. The benefits aren’t just anecdotal; they’re backed by science:
Reduces inflammation and helps speed up muscle recovery.
Improves circulation and cardiovascular health.
Supports metabolism by activating brown fat.
Boosts immunity and lowers stress hormones.
Stimulates the vagus nerve, which helps regulate your nervous system and create a parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) response.
For me, the physical impact is noticeable. When I plunge, I feel lighter, clearer, less inflamed, and more energized. But the real magic happens in my mindset.
Training the Nervous System
Cold plunging is a daily nervous system reset.
When you’re immersed in freezing water, your body wants to panic. Your breath shortens, your heart rate spikes. But if you can learn to stay calm in that environment—to slow your breath and settle your mind—you train your nervous system to handle stress differently.
In my coaching practice, I help people navigate the chaos and overwhelm of life transitions. In my mediation work, I help couples navigate one of the most emotional, triggering experiences of their lives: divorce. Both require nervous system regulation. Both require the ability to stay calm and clear even when everything feels like it’s falling apart.
This is exactly what cold plunging teaches.
Mindset: I Can Do Hard Things
Every time I choose to stay in the cold, I’m reinforcing one of the most important beliefs we can carry: I can do hard things.
This is the same mindset I bring to my work and encourage in my clients. Whether you’re stepping into a difficult conversation, facing the grief of divorce, or simply trying to rewrite old patterns—you will be uncomfortable. You will want to run. And you will have to decide to stay, breathe, and move forward anyway.
That’s what transformation requires.
How This Practice Applies to Coaching & Mediation
I don’t cold plunge just for the health benefits. I do it because it trains me to be the person my clients need.
When I coach women through divorce, career change, or the transition into a new chapter of life, we talk a lot about discomfort. About how growth isn’t supposed to be easy. About how we get to choose how we respond to what life throws at us.
In mediation, the same thing applies. Divorce is one of the most emotionally charged, nerve-wracking experiences anyone will go through. The ability to stay grounded, to regulate your nervous system, and to make decisions from a place of clarity instead of chaos can change the entire process—and the outcome.
Your Daily Practice of Growth
You don’t have to cold plunge. But I encourage you to find something that stretches you daily. Something that reminds you that you can handle discomfort. That you can face what feels hard and choose to rise above it.
Because the truth is, how you do one thing is how you do everything. If you can train your mind and body to stay present in the cold, you can train yourself to stay present in the middle of any storm.
Ready to Build Your Inner Resilience?
If you’re going through a major life transition, navigating divorce, or simply feel stuck and overwhelmed, I can help you create real change—mind, body, and soul.
Book a free consultation today and learn how we can work together to strengthen your nervous system, shift your mindset, and step fully into the next chapter of your life.
Resources & References
For those interested in the science and research behind cold plunging and nervous system health:
Tipton, M. J., Collier, N., Massey, H., & Corbett, J. (2017). Cold water immersion: Kill or cure? Experimental Physiology, 102(11), 1335–1355. https://doi.org/10.1113/EP086283
You can also explore additional information about cold exposure and nervous system regulation from reputable sources like:
Huberman Lab Podcast – Episodes on cold exposure and stress resilience
Peer-reviewed articles on cold water therapy and vagus nerve stimulation
Mardi Chadwick-Balcom, Esq. is a former divorce attorney turned integrative divorce mediator and holistic coach. With over 25 years of legal experience and advanced training in trauma-informed practices, emotional regulation, and mind-body healing, she helps clients navigate divorce with clarity, strategy, and emotional intelligence.
Mardi blends legal insight with nervous system support, subconscious reprogramming, and energetic tools-offering a grounded, transformational approach to separation and life transitions.
She is the founder of Integrative Divorce Mediation & Coaching and MCB Yoga & Wellness Coaching, where she supports individuals ready to move forward with intention, peace, and purpose.
This blog is intended for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new wellness practice.
