Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse Kemp.
Hi Jesse, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Our story began years before Element Contrast Studio had a name. As the owners of Dragonfly Yoga Studio, we’ve spent a long time creating spaces where people can move, breathe, and feel connected to themselves and to one another. Wellness has always been personal to us, not just something we do for work.
While we were stationed in Germany with the Marine Corps, we were introduced to sauna culture. As we traveled through Germany and Austria, we came to appreciate that sauna wasn’t treated as a luxury or a passing wellness trend—it was a time-honored part of everyday life. The rhythm of heat, cold, and rest helped people slow down, recover, and connect. We experienced those benefits ourselves, and the practice became part of our lives.
Over time, we kept returning to the same thought: Fredericksburg needed a place where people could experience these traditions in a way that felt welcoming, approachable, and rooted in community. That idea eventually became Element Contrast Studio.
Bringing Element to life was a thoughtful process. We wanted to create more than a room with saunas and cold plunges. We envisioned a phone-free space where people could step away from the constant noise of modern life—somewhere they could choose quiet reflection or meaningful conversation and move through heat, cold, and rest at their own pace. We were also intentional about making the studio feel distinctly connected to Fredericksburg, incorporating work from local artists, designers, woodworkers, and craftspeople.
Today, Element feels like a natural extension of everything we’ve built through Dragonfly Yoga. Both businesses are grounded in the same belief: people need places where they can take care of themselves and feel a genuine sense of belonging. We’re still learning and evolving, but seeing people leave feeling clearer, calmer, and more restored reminds us why we started.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth or quick road. From the time Anne and I began seriously pursuing the idea—through lease negotiations, design, construction, and finally opening our doors—the process took about a year and a half.
The catalyst was an opportunity to use space alongside one of our two yoga studios. We had talked about creating something like Element for years, and suddenly there was a real path forward. But the challenges began on the very first day of construction. What should have been the simple removal of an old wood floor turned into a major project involving industrial-sized scrapers, an enormous mess, and extensive concrete repairs.
Because the building is very old, “discovery” became a dreaded word. That was our general contractor’s term for the unforeseen problems uncovered once work began—and we had plenty of them. Being in the city’s designated historic district also added extra steps and considerations to nearly everything we wanted to do.
One of the biggest setbacks came when the city rejected our original floor plans. At the time, I genuinely thought the decision might kill the entire project. Looking back, however, it has become one of my favorite stories from the process. We were forced to return to the drawing board, and our architect—an incredibly talented person and a dear friend—created a new design with a much better flow. The finished space is far better than what we originally envisioned. It was a powerful reminder that what feels like failure in the moment can sometimes be exactly what pushes you toward a more creative and successful solution.
Building a sauna and cold-plunge studio is also just a complex undertaking. There are specialized construction requirements and complicated electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems that require a lot of detailed planning. I could not have pulled it off without our general contractor, who is also a great friend. Throughout the entire process, I knew he had our best interests at heart, and the trust between us was implicit. His knowledge, lots of patience, and commitment were essential to bringing Element to life.
Today, one of the comments we hear most often is how beautiful and thoughtfully designed the studio feels. Knowing everything it took to get there makes that especially meaningful. The process was difficult, messy, and at times genuinely discouraging—but it was also a labor of love, and we’re incredibly proud of what those challenges ultimately helped us create.
We’ve been impressed with Element Contrast Studio, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Element Contrast Studio is a sauna, cold-plunge, and recovery studio in downtown Fredericksburg. We created it as a place where people can step away from the pace and noise of everyday life and give their bodies and minds time to recover.
Our guests move through cycles of heat, cold, and rest, supported by clear, research-informed protocols so they never have to guess where to begin. The studio features two large traditional Finnish saunas—one quiet and one social—along with cold plunges at varying temperatures, showers, and dedicated relaxation areas. Our team explains the purpose and structure of each recommended protocol, helps first-time guests feel comfortable, and provides guidance throughout their visit. At the same time, we recognize that every person responds differently, so guests are encouraged to listen to their bodies and move through the experience at a pace that feels right for them.
That approach is an important part of what sets us apart. Contrast therapy is sometimes presented as an intense challenge or a test of willpower. At Element, we see it differently. The cold can certainly be empowering, but rest is just as important as the heat and the plunge. We want guests to leave feeling restored, not depleted. We are also intentionally phone-free, giving people a rare opportunity to disconnect from notifications and be fully present. Guests can choose quiet reflection, meaningful conversation, or a little of both.
Element is closely connected to Dragonfly Yoga Studio, which Anne and I also own. One of our two Dragonfly locations is under the same roof as Element, making it possible for our community to bring movement, heat, cold, and rest together in one place. The two businesses offer different experiences, but they share the same philosophy: wellness should feel welcoming, personal, and rooted in genuine human connection. Element grew naturally from the community we had already built through Dragonfly and from the lessons we learned over years of helping people care for themselves through movement and mindfulness.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Element feels true to the vision we had from the beginning. We did not want to create a trendy or intimidating recovery facility. We wanted the studio to feel warm, beautiful, approachable, and distinctly connected to Fredericksburg. Local artists, designers, woodworkers, and craftspeople helped bring the space to life, so it reflects the creativity of the city we call home.
More than anything, we want readers to know that Element is for real people—not only elite athletes or experienced cold plungers. People come to us for many reasons: to reduce stress, support their recovery, create space for mental clarity, connect with others, or simply slow down. You can come alone or with a friend, seek conversation or quiet, and make the experience your own. Our goal is simple: to give people a place to unplug, reset, and leave feeling better than when they arrived.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next five to ten years, I believe sauna and contrast therapy will move from being viewed as a niche wellness trend or an extreme challenge to becoming a more familiar part of people’s regular self-care routines. Much like yoga did years ago, these practices are becoming more approachable and accessible to people who may not consider themselves athletes or into the wellness scene.
I also expect the industry’s understanding of cold exposure to become more mature and nuanced. For a while, much of the conversation focused on how cold you could go or how long you could endure it. As research continues to develop, I think the emphasis will shift toward purposeful, individualized use. More facilities will offer clear, science-informed guidance based on a person’s experience, comfort level, and goals. That is the direction we have chosen at Element: we provide recommended protocols so guests do not have to guess, while still encouraging them to listen to their bodies and move at their own pace.
Another major shift will be toward social wellness. People are looking for meaningful ways to spend time together that do not revolve around screens, alcohol, or constant stimulation. Communal sauna and bathing traditions have served that purpose in other parts of the world for generations, and I think more people here in the United States are starting to understand what makes that experience so meaningful. Wellness spaces are becoming the new “third place”—somewhere outside of home and work where people can connect, slow down, or simply feel less alone.
I also see contrast therapy becoming more integrated with complementary practices such as yoga, fitness, mindfulness, and recovery. That is one reason the connection between Element and Dragonfly Yoga Studio feels so natural to us. Movement, heat, cold, and intentional rest can each stand on their own, but together they give people more ways to care for themselves according to what they need that day.
Technology and personalization will certainly play a larger role in wellness, but I believe there will also be a growing desire for places that let us step away from technology altogether. People are already overwhelmed by data, notifications, and advice. Sometimes what they need most is a calm, thoughtfully designed space where they can put down their phone, follow trusted guidance, and reconnect with their own experience. I hope Element can continue to be that kind of place as the industry evolves.
Pricing:
- A single 75-minute Element session is $35 and includes access to our traditional Finnish saunas, cold plunges, showers, and relaxation areas.
- Introductory packages and flexible membership options are available for guests who want to make Element part of their regular wellness routine. Membership sessions are extended to 90 minutes.
- Current packages, memberships, workshops, and special offerings can be found at elementcontraststudio.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elementcontraststudio.com/
- Instagram: elementcontraststudio
- Facebook: elementcontraststudio
- Other: TikTok: elementcontrastfxbg
