From AFL players, to advocates of stress resilience: Inside the Inner Studio concept

This is what underlies the approach at Inner Studio, a foliage laden wellness space situated inside a former Collingwood warehouse, complete with hot and cold plunge pools and the southern hemisphere’s largest sauna.

It’s the brainchild of former Collingwood player, Ben Slade, and Will Sinclair, an ex-Geelong player, who had embraced sauna and cold plunge exercises as part of their recovery during their professional careers, and later, the Wim Hof breathing method.

Launched in the spring of 2023, the studio brings the three practices together, and has established a loyal following of both individuals and organisations—such as the Australian Open, MECCA, The Matildas, Deloitte, Nike, Canva and several AFL clubs—who visit to take part in guided classes, or engage at their own pace.

We recently caught up with one half of the brother-business owner duo, Ben, to delve a little deeper into their notion of stress resilience, the value of a 10-minute morning breathwork routine, staying well in winter, and their plans for a South Yarra, as well as Highett studio, both of which are slated to open later in the year.

How did the Inner Studio concept initially come about?

Inner Studio was born out of years of using saunas and cold plunges for recovery—but the real spark came when we found ourselves regularly practicing Wim Hof breathing sessions by the bay.

After the breathwork, we jumped in the water, then headed to our older brother’s sauna. That’s when it clicked: there was no dedicated space where you could regularly experience all three—breathwork, cold, and heat—in one place. So, we built it.

What role did your AFL careers play here, and how do they continue to influence your approach to health and wellness today?

During our playing days, saunas and ice baths were mostly about physical recovery—post-game and after heavy training blocks. But after experiencing multiple concussions, we began to notice the deeper benefits, especially the mental stress resilience that came from consistent use.

These days, breathwork and cold plunging has become a key tool for our mental clarity and resilience, while sauna still plays a big role in physical recovery for us. It’s become less about performance and more about feeling grounded, clear, and well.

What’s it like working together as brothers and business partners? How would you say you complement one another?

Like any business partnership, it comes with its challenges—but being brothers adds a unique dynamic. We can have a disagreement one day and be laughing together at the family dinner table the next. Will brings an extensive background in property development and project management, so he leads the charge on the builds and design side. I focus more on the day-to-day operations and offerings. We’ve got different strengths, but that’s what makes it work.

The Inner Studio space is incredibly multi-faceted—can you talk us through its key features, and the benefits of each?

At the heart of Inner Studio are our group classes, which include breathwork, mindfulness, yoga, and natural movement—each followed by hot and cold exposure in our sauna and plunge pools. Together, these elements are designed to build stress resilience, support both mental and physical wellbeing, and create a strong sense of community.

We’ve also filled the space with greenery—because we both know firsthand how much better we feel when we’re surrounded by nature. It’s all about creating a space that helps people feel more grounded, connected, and alive.

Your take on stress is quite a unique one. Are you able to talk us through this?

Building stress resilience is at the heart of what we do at Inner Studio. In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by constant demands. We’ve found that by regularly exposing ourselves to controlled stressors—like breathwork, cold plunges, and heat—we can train the mind and body to stay calm in discomfort.

Over time, the nervous system adapts and helps build resilience that carries into everyday life, making it easier to handle whatever comes your way.

Are there any simple day-to-day practices you would recommend people embrace to achieve this state?

Everyone responds differently, so it’s really about finding what works for you. That said, a 10-minute morning breathwork routine has been a game changer for us—helping us stay focused and ready to take on the day. And yes, the cold shower tip you’ve probably heard a hundred times…

But even 20 to 30 seconds of cold water in the morning can be a powerful way to build stress tolerance and kickstart your day.

There’s nothing quite like a powerful tune to set the tone! What was the thinking behind the weekly DJ roster, and how do you curate it?

Community is at the core of everything we do at Inner, and music is such a natural way to bring people together. There’s nothing like a good beat to spark conversation and create an atmosphere.

We’re lucky to have an incredible musician and studio member—Patrick, aka Cantrips—curating our DJ roster. He brings in a mix of local and international talent to keep the vibe fresh and uplifting each week.

You’re opening two new sites this year—including one on our doorstep, which is exciting! What can we expect from those, and what prompted you to choose South Yarra as a destination?

We’re super excited to be expanding across Melbourne. The idea was to create balance—one studio on the Northside and one on the South. We just want more people to be able to access and regularly experience what Inner is all about, as we’ve personally found that the more consistently you practice these modalities, the more grounded and mentally steady you feel.

You can expect the same Inner experience at each location—breathwork, mindfulness, Yoga, sauna, cold plunge, and community—all under one nature filled roof.

What are your top tips for "being well" throughout the year—even during the cooler months?

Again everyone’s different, so it’s about finding what works for you—but if staying healthy through winter is the goal, cold exposure is our go-to. Whether it’s a cold shower or a plunge, exposing your body to the cold stimulates a release of adrenaline, which helps activate the immune system to better fight off infection. It’s definitely a challenge in the middle of winter… But that’s part of the magic.

Connect with Inner Studio

Visit their Collingwood studio at Warehouse 9/5-11 Campbell St
Head to their website
Book a class
Follow them on Instagram