We recently had the chance to connect with Shane Hart and have shared our conversation below.
Shane, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
“Outside of work, what’s really brings me the most joy is spending intentional time with my family. Life moves fast, and the older I get, the more I appreciate those simple, grounded moments—working out together, saunaing, cooking healthy meals, hiking, or just hanging out and talking–more analog time and less digital. There’s something deeply fulfilling about watching my kids grow into themselves and feeling a deep, steady connection with my wife. Those everyday moments have become the center of gravity for me, and they’re honestly what bring me the most joy.”
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Shane, co-founder of Nükk, a small but passionate company dedicated to building handcrafted cedar saunas, cold plunges, and open-air showers that bring joy, presence, and well-being into everyday life. What makes Nükk unique is that we obsess over the details—ceiling and bench heights that lift your feet above the stones, airflow and ventilation engineered to reduce CO₂, and wall thickness and insulation built like a home, not a shed. We’re not trying to be the biggest brand; we’re trying to be the most thoughtful.
For me, this work is deeply personal. I’ve always believed in creating spaces that help people slow down, reconnect with themselves, and invest in their long-term health. And as a family-focused person, I love that these saunas often become gathering places—spots where people unplug, talk, sweat, laugh, and just be human together. Right now, we’re expanding our product line and refining our craftsmanship even further, but the heart of Nükk will always be that sense of warmth and intentionality.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
Bonds between people usually break in quiet, gradual ways long before they ever explode. Misunderstandings grow when assumptions replace clarity, and when poor communication—avoiding hard conversations, speaking without listening, or shutting down emotionally—slowly erodes the trust a relationship is built on. Most fractures don’t come from a single moment; they come from disconnects that accumulate over time.
But the same moments that divide us can also make us stronger–as long as you put in the work. Honesty restores what confusion damaged. Compassion softens what misunderstandings hardened. And patient, open communication—where people feel safe to speak and safe to be heard—rebuilds the bridges that once felt broken. Healing doesn’t require perfection; it requires presence. When people show up with humility, empathy, and a willingness to understand, bonds that once felt lost can become even stronger than they were before.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wounds of my life have come from the complicated dynamics within my family—both as a child and as a man. These relationships shaped, and still shape, me in ways that take time to fully understand. There were moments of being misunderstood, unheard, deceived, or pushed into roles I didn’t choose. Those early patterns left their mark: the pressure to stay silent, the instinct to keep the peace, and the habit of holding things in instead of saying what I needed.
Healing didn’t happen all at once. It came from learning to see my family members as human—flawed, struggling, and doing the best they could with what they had. It came from breaking old patterns, setting healthy boundaries, speaking truth to power, and learning to communicate with more clarity and grace. And it came from choosing to build the kind of family environment with my wife and kids that I longed for—one rooted in presence, honesty, empathy, and genuine connection.
Those wounds shaped me, but they also pushed me to grow. They taught me how to show up differently—for myself, for my own family, and for the people I care about. Healing became a way of creating my own story instead of repeating the one I was given.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
The ideas I lean on most come from the teachings of Buddha and Jesus. Not as doctrines, but as reminders. From Buddha: to return to the present moment, to see clearly, and to let go of the stories my mind wants to cling to. From Jesus: to meet the world with compassion, forgiveness, and a willingness to love even when it’s hard.
Together, they form a kind of inner compass. When life feels noisy or confusing, their teachings help me breathe, soften, and come back to what matters: awareness, kindness, and being fully here with the people I love.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
I regret not healing the rift with my father before he passed. There were conversations we never had, truths we never spoke, and moments of understanding we never reached. I carry that with me—as a reminder. A reminder to stay open with the people I love, to say what needs to be said while there’s still time, and to meet difficult relationships with as much patience and compassion as I can.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nukksauna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nukksauna/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nukksauna
Image Credits
All images 2025 Nukk Sauna
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