Recharging in Nature after a Biohacking Retreat

Private

May 14

Written By Tateki Matsuda

Coupon Code TATEKI

Summary & Key Takeaways

After leading exercise sessions at a biohacking retreat outside Tallinn, I ferried across the Baltic to Helsinki with the Biohacker Center Finland team.
I stayed at sound healer Jani Toivonen's lakeside log cabin—ice swim, birch forest hikes, Finnish meatballs.
In Rautalampi, Salli Chair founder Vessi gave me a personal factory tour of their ergonomic swivel chairs.
The trip peaked with ecstatic breathwork at Alto University led by Leigh Ewin and Mikko Heikinpoika.

A Biohacking Journey Across the Baltic Sea

The Estonian coastline drifted away as I stood on the ferry deck bound for Helsinki. Behind me: a rejuvenating few days leading exercise sessions at a biohacking retreat outside Tallinn. Ahead: more Nordic adventures with the Biohacker Center Finland team.

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My colleagues were on the ferry too—we'd organized the Estonia retreat together and had all the event equipment packed in a rented van for the trip back to Helsinki. As the ferry set sail, I went straight for the lunch buffet: grilled veggies, salmon, salad. Feeling adventurous, I tried what looked like caviar—it turned out to be seaweed flavored to imitate fish eggs. Didn't love the fake caviar, but the creativity impressed me. Fueled up, I took in the sea breeze on deck.

Two hours later we docked in Helsinki. I finally got to see the Biohacker Center office after collaborating remotely for so long. The startup energy was real—ergonomic workspaces, brain-boosting snacks, a full biohacking setup. We unloaded the products and equipment together. This driven team has built something special.

From the office, I took the train to my friend Jani Toivonen's countryside log cabin. Jani is a renowned sound healer I've had the honor of learning from. His home sits on a quiet lake surrounded by forest. He gave me the house-and-neighbors tour, then cooked traditional Finnish meatballs. The perfect reset after hectic travel.

The next morning, Jani and I woke up with a swim in the frigid lake. Nothing shocks you awake like a Nordic ice bath. Then we laced up hiking boots and roamed the birch forest trails around his property. Among the mossy trees we tuned into birdsong and our own footsteps. Those mindful moments are what biohacking means to me.

After saying goodbye to Jani, I headed to Rautalampi to visit Salli Chair's headquarters. Salli makes ergonomic swivel chairs that improve posture, and their itinerary had me excited: forest bathing, a campfire dinner, and a sauna session. The founder, Vessi, gave me a personal factory tour—each chair assembled by hand. Our lunchtime Q&A taught me a lot about designing wellness products.

The trip wrapped with a final meetup back in Helsinki. I wanted every hour I could get with my teammates, so I joined their events—Jani's Sound Therapy, and Ecstatic Breathwork by Leigh and Mikko.

The breathwork at Alto University, led by Leigh Ewin and Mikko Heikinpoika, took me somewhere new. We started with 360 audio immersion as Mikko played live. Leigh guided us through rounds of circular breathing, each one deeper than the last. Lying there, lungs expanding, a euphoric energy ran through me. An hour dissolved. In that semi-psychedelic state I saw stardust and swirling fractals, my heartbeat and Mikko's music becoming one. I came out renewed and buzzing with inspiration.

My Biohacker Center colleagues and I closed with a Mediterranean feast outside, full of laughter and good conversation. Their passion for transforming lives is infectious. Deni brought hunted bear meat for the BBQ. Veronika made traditional Slovak pancakes, Palacinky, from scratch. A fantastic family lunch the day before I flew back to Boston.

Slovak pancakes, *Palacinky* & Bear meat

As the ferry had carried me across the Baltic, this whole journey carried me through the best of Nordic culture. Finland's forests and lakes recharged me after an intense work stint. Time with friends fed my mind, body, and spirit. I went home rejuvenated, inspired, and connected.

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