Raising their family in Austin, Texas, Gerardo and Chas Larios were what you’d expect an Austin couple to be like. Gerardo was a guitar and keyboard player for the Grammy-nominated rock band Spoon. And Chas had a passion for fighting hackers, leading marketing for some of the world’s top cybersecurity companies.

Worldwide tours with a rock band was an absolute whirlwind, but also a happy, once in a lifetime experience. Amidst the excitement, life on the road became tough. Gerardo was away from his family for long periods, it was hard to connect with the kids over facetime, random sleep schedules, eating unhealthy food, drinking before and after shows – the rockstar lifestyle became a source of anxiety and depression.

In between tours, Gerardo began a journey of wellness and meditation while spending quality time with Chas and their two elementary age kids. Central to this transformation was the regular use of their backyard sauna. Initially a method to detoxify from years of unhealthy habits, saunas quickly became an integral part of his daily routine, providing both physical and mental health benefits. It became the family’s favorite cozy space to unplug and reconnect. 

"I believe in the power of saunas to transform lives; it certainly transformed mine by providing a peaceful place to meditate and ground myself during times of stress and anxiety. Having a sauna at home has allowed me to spend more quality time with my family, pushing me towards healthier habits and a life driven by intention. Öli Saunas is about more than just selling a product; it's about helping people on their own journeys to wellness and deeper connections with family and friends."

Gerardo and Chas founded Öli Saunas in 2023 to share this life-changing experience with others. In 2024, Gerardo announced his retirement from Spoon to spend more time with family and to open Öli Saunas first retail store in Austin, Texas.