Karl Maki was born and raised in West Barnstable, where his family's Finnish roots run deep—right back to 1912, when his great-grandparents settled on Cape land and brought with them the beloved tradition of sauna. Back in the day, West Barnstable had its own flavor of local lore, with card games heating up on the "other side of the tracks" between two rival crews: the Finns and the Sharks (spoiler alert: the Sharks earned their name at the card table, not the ocean).

Sauna was always a part of Karl’s heritage—his great-grandparents would steam up, then take the plunge into a cold pond, long before cold plunges were cool. After spending a decade building custom homes along the rugged coast of Maine, Karl returned to the Cape in 2015 with his family, and has been raising them ever since in the place he calls home.

When he discovered Nomad Sauna, Karl instantly felt the spark. The sense of community, the revival of the Nordic cycle, and the shared commitment to wellness were everything he loves. Now, through Sweat Sauna, Karl brings that energy to Cape Cod—spreading warmth (and chill) at events that nourish the body, mind, and soul. He’s got a big heart, deep roots, and a calling to serve—one sauna session at a time.