We meet at FINT kafé in Tromsø – a place she knows well. It used to be called Pust Kafé, and while the name has changed, much of the atmosphere remains. It’s that very vibe that first drew Ally in, long before she knew just how central it would become in her life.
Ally is from Australia and arrived in Tromsø in the autumn of 2023. She came for a master’s degree in marine ecology, and to her own surprise, was accepted. Suddenly, she found herself on the other side of the world – surrounded by mountains, sea, and an entirely different rhythm of life.
– I found the academic side interesting, but being so far from home, I also felt a real need for human connection. I needed to be around people with shared values, she says.
That’s how she discovered Pust. First through a live jam session at the café – which still remains a beloved community gathering every Sunday night – then through the sauna. And eventually, through the people. Bit by bit, she became part of it all – as a guest, a co-worker, and an important member of the community.
– I love seeing people’s faces when they come out of the sauna. It’s like they’re a different person. They arrive a bit closed off, eyes down… and then they leave glowing. It’s beautiful.
For Ally, the sauna has become a lifeline, especially during more difficult days.
– I’ve had a rough time lately, and it really helps. Some mornings I wake up not feeling great, but I leave the sauna with a smile. It’s like the world is good again.
What she especially appreciates is the choice.
– There are two saunas – one that’s more social and one that’s quiet. Sometimes I feel like talking and connecting with people. Other times I just want to be in my own space.
When asked to describe the experience, she pauses.
– I feel safe. Whether I’m social or alone, there’s a sense of being accepted just as I am. There’s comfort in it – in the heat, the stillness, and the community. Sometimes I push myself by starting in the cold or staying longer in the heat. It’s empowering.
It’s a place free from judgment.
Ally also shares, somewhat casually, that she’s a trained breathwork and cold water therapy facilitator. Though she’s not offering sessions right now – juggling work, personal life, and her thesis is enough – the knowledge is part of her presence. And it shows when she talks with new guests.
– I often tell first-timers: it’s entirely your own experience. If you want to challenge yourself, try starting in the water. If you want to feel discomfort and learn to breathe through it, stay with the heat.
That’s my favorite part of all this – the way it mirrors life.
This post is part of our People of Pust series – stories from those who find presence in the pause.
We believe that stories like Ally’s live in many of us –
those quiet shifts, unexpected connections, and moments of clarity that come when we simply allow ourselves to be.
If her words resonate with you,
you’re warmly invited to find your own moment here – in the warmth, the silence, or the cold.
