Direct from Verona! 🇮🇹 Today at the Show Aufguss World Championship 2025 in Aquardens, I sat down with

- Jeremy Bissat - Sauna- & Pirts Master

- Yves Heresner - Saunamaster and Guest

- Thorsten Möller aka Aufgussthor - Sauna- & Pirtsmaster

- Claudio Massa - Worldchampion in Sho Aufguss Team / Jury Member at Freestyle Masters and Trainer of Aufgussfusion

- Mark Zipperle - Austira Single Champion 2025 / Competetor at Aufguss WM

- Massimo Gelli - World Champion in Team Aufguss, 9th time in a row participant at the Aufguss WM, Trainer of Aufgussfusion

This special episode brings you daily impressions straight from the event – short interviews, authentic voices, and the unique atmosphere of the Aufguss WM.

Stay tuned for new highlights every day of the championship, as we sweat, talk & connect with the international sauna community.

Best

Mattia

The heat is on! 🔥 In this special episode of Steam ’n’ Soul, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about the Show Aufguss World Championship 2025 at Aquardens, Verona, Italy.

From the qualification pathway (nationals, playoffs, wildcards) to the judging criteria, quotas, and scoring system – you’ll learn exactly how the best Saunameisters in the world make it onto the global stage.

I’ll also take you inside the brand-new Aquardens Sauna Theatre – the world’s largest and most advanced sauna, built with 300 seats, high-power ovens, LED walls, dancing fountains, and even a mirror-floor water effect.

Whether you’re a competitor, a fan, or just sauna-curious – this episode gives you the complete overview of what’s happening in Verona.

🎧 Get ready to sweat, talk & connect!

In Episode 13 of Steam ’n’ Soul, I sit down with Swiss Aufguss talent Yves Hersener. Yves may work in IT security by day, but his real passion lies in the sauna — performing, creating atmosphere, and connecting with people through Aufguss.

We talk about how his journey began, the spark that drew him into this unique world, and what it felt like to step into his first competitions this year — both as a single competitor and in a team. Yves opens up about the nerves, the excitement, and the lessons learned on stage.

Together, we also share a very personal experience: when I joined him last minute for the World Championship playoffs. What started as a spontaneous idea turned into our very first show together — a mix of challenge, teamwork, and pure energy that we’ll never forget.

This episode is about passion, courage, and the way sauna brings people together, no matter where they come from or what they do in their daily lives.

Best

Matti

For the very first time, Steam ’n’ Soul goes 2 full hours 🔥 — packed with stories, knowledge, and passion from the world of Aufguss.

This episode features Kim P. Pedersen , founder of Sauna Academy, former President of the Danish Sauna Association, and one of the driving forces behind Sauna Aid. With years of experience as an international jury member, Kim plays an active role at the Aufguss World Championships, where his passion for sauna culture and respect for sauna continues to inspire and shape the global sauna community.

We met during the WM Playoffs at Satama and sat down to talk about:

✨ Kim’s personal sauna journey, from childhood memories to becoming an international figure.

✨ His work in Denmark with Saunagus and education around sauna rituals.

✨ The unique role of a jury member at the Show-Aufguss World Championships — how the jury works, what their responsibilities are, and what it means to evaluate performances.

✨ Together we went through the official six judging categories step by step, exploring what they mean and how they shape the competition.

🔗 You can find the official evaluation catalogue here: https://aufguss-wm.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/aufguss_wm_jury_catalog_a3_2025_final.pdf

YouTube: ⁠Aufguss WM - Jury Evaluation Catalogue 2025YouTube · Aufguss WM25.12.2024⁠

Aufguss WM: https://aufguss-wm.com

Aufguss Roots: https://shop.aufgussroots.de/

Sauna Aid: https://sauna-aid.com/who-we-are/

Aromen: https://www.aromen.be/de

⚠️ Important note: this episode is not a “how to win gold” guide. Instead, it highlights the framework set by the jury — a framework within which sauna masters can (and should) push boundaries, test limits, and fuel the development of Aufguss culture worldwide.

💡 Expect authentic insights, behind-the-scenes perspectives, and a personal look at the people who keep the Aufguss stage fair, inspiring, and evolving.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, AMAZOn Music and YouTube.

#sweattalkconnect #SteamNSoul #AufgussWM #saunaculture

Best

Matze

In this episode of Steam ’n’ Soul, we welcome Ashley and Gideon from the Netherlands – crowned 2025 Dutch Show Aufguss Team Champions.

We dive deep into their story as Aufguss artists, partners, and creative minds. You’ll get powerful insights into their journey, their inspiration, and their work on and off the bench.

🔹 In this episode, you’ll hear about:

Part 1

• 🧖‍♀️ How Ashley & Gideon discovered the world of Aufguss – and how they met

• 🏛 Their connection to the Thermen Group (including Bussloo and Soesterberg)

• 🎭 Ashley’s creative process for developing sauna shows: from idea to execution

  
  

  Part 2

• 🇪🇪 Their role in coaching and building up the first Estonian Aufguss Championship

• 🌍 Their team performance for the Aufguss World Championship 2025

• ❗ A sneak peek into their new collective: Aufguss Bastards (no spoilers!)

Ashley gives us a look behind the curtain of sauna storytelling – showing how a concept becomes an immersive experience. Meanwhile, Gideon shares his perspective on collaboration, coaching, and the international Aufguss movement.

🔥 A must-listen for everyone who loves creativity, connection, and sauna culture.

Let the steam rise — and enjoy Episode 10 of Steam ’n’ Soul.

Best

Matze

In this episode of Steam ’n’ Soul, we welcome Ashley and Gideon from the Netherlands – crowned 2025 Dutch Show Aufguss Team Champions.

We dive deep into their story as Aufguss artists, partners, and creative minds. You’ll get powerful insights into their journey, their inspiration, and their work on and off the bench.

🔹 In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• 🧖‍♀️ How Ashley & Gideon discovered the world of Aufguss – and how they met

• 🏛 Their connection to the Thermen Group (Bussloo and Soesterberg)

• 🎭 Ashley’s creative process for developing sauna shows: from idea to execution

• 🇪🇪 Their role in coaching and building up the first Estonian Aufguss Championship

• 🌍 Their team performance for the Aufguss World Championship 2025

• ❗ A sneak peek into their new collective: AufgussBastards (no spoilers!)

Ashley gives us a look behind the curtain of sauna storytelling – showing how a concept becomes an immersive experience. Meanwhile, Gideon shares his perspective on collaboration, coaching, and the international Aufguss movement.

🔥 A must-listen for everyone who loves creativity, connection, and sauna culture.

Let the steam rise — and enjoy Episode 10 of Steam ’n’ Soul.

Best

Matze

In this special Steam ’n’ Soul episode, we capture the vibrant pulse of the Grand Aufguss Masters 2025 in Eibenstock (https://www.instagram.com/badegaerten/) – one of the most creative and inspiring sauna gatherings of the year. Webseite: https://grand-aufguss-masters.com

From the heart of the event, I spoke with key voices shaping today’s Aufguss culture:

• Robert Heinevetter, founder of AufgussRoots and the Grand Aufguss Masters / https://www.instagram.com/robert_heinevetter/

• Manuel Müller, head trainer at AufgussRoots / https://www.instagram.com/aufguss.manu/

• Barbora Brožová, Aufguss master from the Czech Republic, Freestyle World Champion 2023, 5th Place Show WM 2024 / https://www.instagram.com/b.brozova/

• René Duits, Aufguss master from the Netherlands, national Champion in Show Aufguss / https://www.instagram.com/reneduitsie/

• Nora Harik, Aufguss master from Estonia, National Champion Single Show Aufguss Competition 2025 / https://www.instagram.com/norakatreen/

• Brecht, event photographer and videographer capturing the magic on camera / https://www.instagram.com/helsingtonlifestyle/ and https://www.instagram.com/helsington_photography/

Together, they share their quick impressions, personal highlights, and what makes the Aufguss community so unique – from breathtaking towel performances and inventive aroma blends to the deep sense of connection inside the sauna.

Step in, feel the heat, and connect with the stories behind the steam.

Enjoy

Matze

#sweattalkconnect #SteamnSoul

Playlist Grand Aufguss Master 2025

https://www.badegaerten.de/neuigkeiten.php?id=262

In this energetic episode of Steam ’n’ Soul, Matze is joined by Alonso – sauna director, Aufguss performer, and the very first US Aufguss Champion.

Alonso leads the sauna program at The Bathhouse in New York City, one of the most progressive and design-forward wellness spaces in the US. With a background in the performing arts and a sharp creative mind, he blends performance, presence, and precision into every ritual he creates.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Alonso transitioned from stage to steam

• What it means to design a sauna experience for a diverse NYC audience

• How timing, breath, and energy shape a powerful Aufguss

• His take on international competition and artistic freedom

• What inspires him to keep innovating in the global sauna movement

This is a bold and personal conversation with one of the scene’s true originals – grounded, artistic, and always connected to the heat.

🎧 Hit play – and get inspired.

sweat. talk. connect.

Links:

https://thegreatnorthernfestival.com

https://www.instagram.com/aufgussmaster.alonzo/

https://www.tiktok.com/@aufgussmaster.alonzo

https://www.abathhouse.com