At his Palm Beach home, Alaïa, that same design philosophy comes to life in a space created for calm and recovery. Thoughtfully curated with both aesthetics and purpose in mind, the home’s wellness zone reflects Hayden’s belief that restoration is essential to creativity and performance. At its centre is the Sunlighten mPulse infrared sauna, a key part of his routine for physical recovery, mental clarity and daily balance.
In this conversation, Hayden shares how design, discipline and wellbeing intertwine in his world, and how slowing down has become just as important as chasing the next wave.
Firstly, would like to congratulate you on the completion of your home project, Alaïa, at Palm Beach. You have created a breathtakingly beautiful home and a true sanctuary for respite, rejuvenation, and treasured time with your family and friends. Every element has been carefully considered to elevate each day and experience in your home. When creating the wellness zone, can you describe your approach and what was important for you to achieve?
Surfing and being active play a huge role in my lifestyle, whether it’s testing boards or fins, shaping boards for the team, taking my kids out and pushing them onto waves, or sneaking in late-night sessions at Urbnsurf. There’s also the mental load of running the business and balancing multiple big projects. The design and concept of the wellness level of the home were very much centred around recovery and rejuvenation. The Sunlighten mPulse is a critical element of this space and part of my daily and weekly routine, helping keep my body and mind balanced and energised. You really notice the difference, both physically and mentally, when it’s part of your routine. Within this space, we also have reformer Pilates machines, boxing, weights, a Peloton bike and a cold plunge, but without a doubt, the sauna is the go-to.
Can you share what considerations went into selecting an infrared sauna specifically for your home and why Sunlighten was the perfect compliment to your design story and wellness lifestyle?
From an aesthetic standpoint, the mPulse made its way into our early mood boards without us even realising it. The clean, contemporary design of the sauna and its lighting elements worked perfectly within the wellness area and aligned beautifully with our interior design. We also spent a lot of time researching performance attributes and overall functionality to ensure it suited what we wanted. Sunlighten was always the brand that friends and people we knew recommended. Positive word of mouth is always the best endorsement, in my opinion.
As someone deeply connected to both performance and creativity, what benefits do you most value from regular infrared sauna use, for example, increased mental clarity, respite from daily lifestyle stressors, creative mind-time, reduced stress levels…?
First and foremost, infrared therapy is part of my mental reset routine, it helps my mind and body feel balanced and calm. Secondly, it plays a huge role in physical recovery from surfing, travel, jetlag, injury, and general activity. It helps bring energy levels back up, and you just feel good after a sauna. When we first installed our mPulse, I thought mornings would be my most common time to use it, but I also enjoy using it in the evenings to decompress and improve sleep. It’s a great way to wash off the day, watch the WSL heats, and relax.
Can you describe how using the sauna fits into your day-to-day schedule, whether as a morning ritual, post-surf recovery or wind-down routine?
It changes from week to week. For more physically demanding weeks, I tend to use it in the mornings to start the day and lift my energy levels, pairing it with an ice-cold plunge is great for that. We have a busy household and family, so sometimes evenings are better, when the house is quiet and we can wind down before bed.
Has infrared therapy helped you with muscle recovery or injury prevention - especially with the physical demands of surfing and shaping?
I first learned about infrared therapy after I tore my rotator cuff while surfing a couple of years ago. My physiotherapist recommended it at the time, and for the first six months, the most-used program on the mPulse was Muscle Recovery. I noticed a solid improvement after regular use, and I still use that program a lot today.
What initially drew you to incorporating infrared saunas into your wellness routine?
At this stage of life, I value paying more attention to recovery, both body and mind, as part of my overall wellbeing. I don’t drink alcohol and put more focus into being the best version of myself to go out and achieve all the things I’ve set out to do in life. Home routine and set up is a big part of this for me.
What are six things you do each week to ensure you prioritise your health and feel your best?
- Surfing both on my own and with my kids.
- Walking the dogs with the family around the neighbourhood in Palm Beach
- Drinking coffee and having morning chats with my wife Danielle before the day starts.
- Coaching my son’s u6 soccer team – plenty of laughs with that one.
- Switch off the screen for a few nights and listen to podcasts instead. Right now they are mostly global economy and US tariff related.
- Positive affirmations – I’ll re-read chapters of the book ‘Mind Power’ on weeks that I need it. Cup half full mentality is essential when running your own business.
What’s inspiring you at the moment personally or creatively?
Materials. Exploring how can I push the limits of what I know and use certain materials for. Or how can I create new versions that are more sustainable.
What are you reading, watching, or listening to right now?
Listening to Forward Guidance to stay up to date with the US economy, reading Mind Power, and watching the latest heats on the WSL.
Favourite way to unwind after a big day?
Sauna ‘relaxation’ mode, followed by a night swim in the pool afterwards.
Morning ritual you can’t live without?
Good coffee. Taking in the ocean views at home and whale watching in the right season. Morning surf.
What’s next? Anything on the horizon you’re excited about and can share?
We have an exciting collaboration about to drop that incorporates our use of cast resin material alongside the very best in sound and audio.
What three words best describe the joy that surfing gives you?
Freedom, flow and energising.
