Feeling the warm glow of heat on my body as the sea shimmers and surfers gracefully glide over waves: no this isn’t Copacabana beach, this is Aberdeen Beach….. in October.
Born and brought up in Brazil, Fabio Barbosa is bringing a taste of his tropical home country to the Granite City via the horsebox he has cleverly converted into a sauna.
Quitting his job, selling his home and throwing his life savings into the new venture, the 46-year-old surfer has taken a leap of faith with his hot new wellness venture.
“It was scary as I quit my job and put everything I’ve got into this so it has to work,” says Fabio.
“Since I opened the sauna in August it has been amazing as my bookings have grown.
“A couple of weeks ago the Aberdeen player Angus MacDonald tried it out and he loved it.”
From Brazil to Aberdeen
Growing up in Bahia, one of the most lush, tropical coastlines in Brazil, it’s fair to say the heat, the sand and the sea are ingrained in Fabio’s DNA.
“Bahia was a beautiful place to grow up,” says Fabio.
“All my memories revolve around surfing and playing football.”
After leaving school, Fabio worked for a cosmetics company, grafting on the factory floor before working his way up to become a salesman.
Life changing move
But one phone call was set to change the direction of his life forever.
“I worked in the factory and then I went on to become a salesman for the company,” says Fabio.
“But my dad’s cousin and his family live in Portugal and he phoned me up and asked me if I wanted to join them.
“I have Portuguese nationality because my grandparents are from Portugal so I jumped at the chance to live there.”
‘I love the cold’
Embracing life in Portugal, Fabio worked as a chef but soon there was yet another big change on the horizon.
“I had a friend who was working as a chef at Chiquito, the Mexican restaurant in Aberdeen and he said they were looking for a chef so I moved over,” says Fabio.
From the moment he arrived in the Granite City 16 years ago, Fabio says it has felt like home.
“I love the cold weather and I love the people, they have been very welcoming,” says Fabio.
“I initially moved over alone but my wife and son joined me a year later.
“I didn’t speak a word of English when I arrived here but I went to North East Scotland College in Aberdeen to learn.”
Taking a leap of faith
Sixteen years on and Fabio, who has settled with his family in Bridge of Don, is happier than ever after following his heart – and the heat – with his new beachside sauna venture.
“I had been working as a driver at McWilliam Aberdeen, a catering butcher company in Aberdeen,” says Fabio.
“But I had this idea for a horsebox sauna after seeing a few online.
“There also used to be one at Aberdeen Beach but the guy moved on so it was the perfect opportunity to start my own.
“I just got to the point in my life where I wanted to enjoy it more.”
Temperatures top a toastie 95 degree celsius
Deciding it was all or nothing, Fabio left his job and has put everything into converting a horsebox into a beachside sauna.
“I had money saved up and I sold my house in Brazil so I went for it,” says Fabio.
“So I bought a horsebox and turned it into a sauna.
“I did most of it myself but I got a couple of people to help me as it has to have good insulation and the wood is very specific for the sauna.”
Popular with locals and tourists
Located at the Fittie end of Aberdeen Beach, the eye-catching horsebox sauna has proved to be huge hit since Fabio opened in August.
“It has been good as every week I’m getting more bookings,” says Fabio.
“The feedback has been great and I’ve also got regular customers.”
A warming wellness boost for the mind, body and soul, Fabio says people can sit back, relax and enjoy temperatures of between 70 to 95 degree celsius while soaking up breathtaking views of the beach.
Mid sauna dip in the North Sea
And hardly souls can cool off in between by taking an invigorating dip in the bracing North Sea.
“It’s a one hour session but most people do 15 minutes in the sauna and then go outside for fresh air or go to the sea for a cold dip and then back for another 10 or 15 minutes,” says Fabio.
“Everyone is different, some people enjoy staying in the sauna for longer.”
Relaxing, refreshing and rejuvenating, Fabio says the health benefits from the wood burning sauna are amazing.
“It’s a stress relief and it helps you to sleep well,” says Fabio.
“It can also help with muscle recovery after a workout as well as boosting the immune system and rejuvenating your skin.”
Aberdeen Beach is thriving
It’s not only locals who have been giving glowing reviews on Fabio’s sauna, tourists are also raving about it.
“I had a couple from Australia who tried the sauna and they loved it,” says Fabio.
“They text me afterwards to say they felt great after it.”
Fabio also has a very enthusiast recruit in the form of Rocky, the friendly labrador retriever.
“Rocky is the best mascot, everyone loves him,” says Fabio.
With food trucks and coffee carts popping up along the beach front, Fabio says he’s proud to be part of a buzzing beach movement.
“People can come to the beach, they can surf, have a sauna then you can have a pizza or a coffee,” says Fabio.
“It’s great to be part of this thriving beach life.”
Describing it as the best office view in the world, Fabio says the future is bright for his beachfront business.
“If it works well I might build another one and put it somewhere else, like a lake or a Loch,” says Fabio.
Wellness diary with Fabio Barbosa
What are your top three tips for a healthy lifestyle?
Eat healthily, exercise, sleep well (between six to eight hours a day) and a fourth tip, take a sauna.
What are the main benefits of using a sauna?
It reduces stress levels and the heat in a sauna improves circulation.
How do you like to keep fit?
Yes, I walk or run at least 5km daily. I also surf and take saunas.
Can you recommend any good health and wellbeing books or podcasts?
Feel Better Live More by Dr Rangan Chatterjee.
Do you incorporate health and wellbeing into your diet?
Yes, I eat fruit and cut down on sugar and salt.
For more information about Barbos Sauna, check out the Instagram page @barbossauna
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