It Has To Be Me Episode

THE POWER OF INFRARED SAUNAS

Connie Zack

Episode #14: August 8th, 2024

THE GOLD FROM THIS EPISODE

“Your body needs light and it responds to light energy because it's part of your circadian rhythm. Light tells your brain ‘It’s time to get going’, and when the sun goes down it's like: ‘It's time to start chilling out.’”

Connie Zack

Co-Owner of Sunlighten Saunas

“Believe in yourself, even when it's hard. Find something that you love and cherish about you and celebrate that.”

Connie Zack

Co-Owner of Sunlighten Saunas

“I've learned to cherish my unicorn abilities. It's about thinking: ‘What do I bring to the table, and how can I add value to the people that are coming to listen to me?’”

Connie Zack

Co-Owner of Sunlighten Saunas

“I'm big into visualization. How do you want to feel when you’re done with the task? You may not have control over tangible things, but you do have control over how you feel.”

Connie Zack

Co-Owner of Sunlighten Saunas

“When I get nervous and think: ‘I'm not good enough. I don't deserve to be here’ I play the positive word game. It's important to teach our brains how we want to think.”

Connie Zack

Co-Owner of Sunlighten Saunas

“Women who support each other create an energy that's electric. I want to be around that positive energy.”

Connie Zack

Co-Owner of Sunlighten Saunas

“We were literally working hour by hour and staying as positive as we could. We were all about celebrating the wins, because as soon as we had one, we could do something else. It's about momentum.”

Connie Zack

Co-Owner of Sunlighten Saunas

“So many dreams are not achieved one or two or three steps before they're just about to cross over that breakthrough line. If you just keep going and persevere, you're going to get there. The people that just say, ‘I'm out’, they'll never know.”

Connie Zack

Co-Owner of Sunlighten Saunas

in THIS EPISODE

  • Connie Zack, co-owner of Sunlighten Saunas, shares how she and her husband, Aaron, let go of their corporate jobs to pioneer the infrared sauna business. 

  • Connie takes us inside their extraordinary partnership and how they gear all of their decisions towards helping people live better.

  • We dive into the healing power of infrared saunas to support weight loss, relieve stress, combat inflammation, and promote better sleep and energy.

  • Connie explains how infrared saunas differ from traditional saunas by heating your body from the inside out.

  • Using the Sunlighten story as an example, we explore the power of transparency and authenticity, personal responsibility and respect, self-belief, perseverance, and people who encourage and support you.

  • Connie charts her journey from feeling “different” to embracing her uniqueness to harnessing her leadership abilities and mentoring female entrepreneurs.

  • Let her “It has to be me” story inspire you to lead with your heart, share your passion, and elevate and celebrate others.

TESS'S TAKEAWAYS

  • Infrared saunas help reduce stress and inflammation and improve mental clarity.

  • Embrace that you’re a work in progress and use the messes to sharpen and improve.

  • Give yourself and others permission to make mistakes.

  • Celebrate the unicorn in you and champion the gifts of others.

  • Women who elevate and celebrate each other do extraordinary things in the world.

  • Transparent leadership and mentorship fuel growth.

  • Use the power of positive words and visualize how you want to feel to overcome self-doubt.

  • Succeeding is about perseverance and owning your dreams.

ABOUT CONNIE

Connie Zack is the co-owner of Sunlighten, the global leader in infrared sauna and light therapy.

In 2002, after seeing how spending time in an infrared sauna supported her brother's healing from traumatic health issues, Connie and her husband, Aaron, left thriving careers at Procter & Gamble and committed everything they had to launch their business out of their basement. 

The Zacks’ visionary leadership, passion for light science, and commitment to research-backed innovation enabled them to revolutionize the infrared sauna industry.

Sunlighten now has operations in 13 countries, including the award-winning day spa at the company headquarters in Kansas City. Sunlighten saunas are recommended by the world’s top health experts and elite athletes. 

An entrepreneur, wellness enthusiast, wife, and mother, Connie regularly speaks at events around the world. Connie used her time serving on the P&G Women’s Board to cultivate a practice of mentoring young women and supporting their professional development. She continues to guide and encourage female entrepreneurs.  

Connie, Aaron, and the Sunlighten team define their mission as helping people feel better and live fully so they can do more of what they love.