06/05/2025
What an honour it was to speak about my mission for Local Motion and such a privilege to have this article written up! I’m so excited for the things to come!! ❤️
Local Motion Body Recovery: Healing hearts and bodies through cold immersion
- By Cameron Outridge
A revolutionary wellness studio has emerged in Nambour with a mission that blends physical and mental recovery.
Local Motion Body Recovery, founded by Charly Fahlstrom, isn't just another fitness facility—it's a sanctuary designed to heal body and mind in a world increasingly disconnected from meaningful challenges and personal growth.
"At the lowest point in my life a few years ago, I found Muay Thai—and it changed my life. Training for a fight meant 3 hours a day, 6 days a week, for 15 weeks, all while raising a 3 and 5 year old by myself," Charly told a Nambour Chamber of Commerce Coffee Catchup recently (May 1).
"That's when I discovered the Japanese ritual of Misogi—committing fully to one challenging practice that transforms you from the inside out. It was the beginning of what I now call the Misogi lifestyle."
The personal journey led Charly to create a wellness space unlike any other on the Sunshine Coast. While most recovery centres focus exclusively on athletic performance, Local Motion takes a holistic approach that addresses the epidemic of disconnection and mental health struggles affecting people of all ages.
The intimate studio features infrared saunas, magnesium spas, compression therapy, and the cornerstone of Charly's practice—ice baths. Charly described the cold immersion experiences as more than physical challenges.
“They’re gateways to mental resilience, triggering increased dopamine production, and profound emotional healing.
"We're not designed to simply work, sleep, repeat," Charly said.
"That's not living. I've created a space where people can reset completely—mentally and physically—without the discomfort of sharing that vulnerable experience with crowds."
What makes Local Motion truly special is Charly's vision beyond the facility itself. She's launching community-centred programs like a local run club, 30-day Misogi challenges, and perhaps most importantly, resilience programs specifically designed for young people aged 10 and up.
"There's a generation of children, particularly boys, growing up without strong guidance into adulthood," Charly says. "Whether it's absent father figures or parents consumed by work demands, we're seeing kids raising kids who are lost in the world. I want to help build resilience that will serve them for a lifetime.
“I'm also a big advocate for men's mental health. Men often carry the heaviest loads and rarely take time to care for themselves. Nurturing their wellbeing isn't just important, its foundational to strong families, safe communities and the emotional health of future generations.”
The results speak volumes. From 70-year-olds braving the ice baths to teenagers finding inner strength they never knew they possessed, Charly says her approach is changing lives. Beyond mental health benefits, her programs address inflammation, support weight management, enhance skin and hair health, and contribute to cellular longevity.
She said sport was a huge factor in her remarkable transition.
“Last year, I joined the Mudjimba North Shore Jets to play women's AFL, continuing to challenge myself physically and mentally. Muay Thai and AFL, along with cold immersion, have profoundly shaped my mental health and personal growth. I've experienced what it means to lean into discomfort—and it's the heart of what I offer at Local Motion and what I want to see other people achieve.”
Charly wants Local Motion Body Recovery to stand as a beacon of transformative wellness in an increasingly challenging world. “It is so amazing to see my mission come to light and I really look forward to helping people in the community.”
• For more information about programs and services, visit localmotion.com.au or phone 0402 600 345.
