Today we’d like to introduce you to Ken Silver.
Hi Ken, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Long before my first ice bath, the threads of struggle and resilience, challenge and grit, and as a result, transformation have been woven into my story. I was born and raised in Philadelphia. As far back as I can remember, I always had some type of business running from shoveling snow and raking leaves to burning mix CDs for kids at school and even custom-stringing lacrosse sticks for my teammates. I received a B.S. in economics and international business from Penn State and was very much an east coaster through and through until a chance job opportunity brought me out to Los Angeles ten years ago. Here, I embarked on a corporate sales career in the tech industry. Always always the entrepreneur, another fateful opportunity to help launch StretchLab here in Venice eight years ago marked my true entry into the fitness and recovery or HALO (health, active, lifestyle, outdoor) industry—a sector that has become my true passion and life’s work.
Further back, my earlier years were marked by challenges that I consider myself truly fortunate to have escaped and overcome. It was during those darker, more trying times that sports and fitness emerged as a lifeline, offering not just a physical outlet but a path to harnessing my inner fire, developing emotional maturity, and cultivating spiritual growth. All the way through my 20s (and to this day), fitness was my sanctuary, my source of peace, and a huge part of my identity. However, that identity was shattered by a serious injury that left me unable to participate in everything that brought me joy and meaning outside of work. It challenged my physical capabilities, but even more so, my mental fortitude. It was another profound period of struggle but also one of learning and growth. These experiences ingrained in me the importance of recovery and ‘recovery,’ not as afterthoughts but as the cornerstones of wellness.
It was with that backdrop that my spinal injury led me to Dr. Adam Sand’s office 9 years ago here in Marina Del Rey, CA. Adam is a seasoned and gifted sports chiropractor whose philosophy includes both traditional and holistic recovery methods. This meeting was not just the start of a healing journey for myself but the spark of a fateful partnership. As I began to navigate my treatment under Dr. Sands’ care, our conversations revealed a mutual passion for the outdoors (in fact, we day-hiked Mount Whitney, possibly the most physically and mentally demanding climbs in the US just before the RVIVL launch) natural healing methods and a proactive approach to wellness and recovery. This synergy of visions and values laid the groundwork for RVIVL, a brand conceived jointly to truly define the then-unnamed ‘Fitness Recovery’ industry.
Looking back, our meeting feels like more than a coincidence; it was a confluence of paths fated to alter and hopefully improve the lives of our communities. There was me, with my connection to athletics, my career in tech sales/brand consulting, an entrepreneur in an adjacent sector, and most importantly, a direct understanding of the pain we set out to solve. Adam possesses an extensive background in sports chiropractic medicine, his personal commitment to wellness, a 7-year black belt in jiu-jitsu, and a true gift for healing. I always remember he was the first person to mention the name Wim Hof to me long ago! We found in each other like-minded allies in our quest to build something meaningful and it sounds corny, but to leverage our skills and knowledge to change the world! I think all of those assets, interests, and experiences came together at the perfect moment to launch RVIVL into the world.
At the heart of RVIVL lies the philosophy that recovery is as critical to fitness as the workout itself. This belief shapes every aspect of RVIVL’s approach, from the selection of recovery technologies to the personalized care plans for each client. Our vision has always been to create a space where recovery is not an afterthought but a core element of the fitness journey, integrating the latest in recovery science with natural healing methods to support holistic well-being. So many of us often fall out of rhythm or lose touch with the person we truly want to be. Modern life is far more physically comfortable than it’s ever been in the past for humans, and that’s where the trouble starts. I think that was particularly evident during the pandemic, and what we’ve found is this: By beginning with the body, the mind tends to follow. By focusing on the nervous system, our hormones, our muscles, and skeletal system, all of us can be REVIVED. We can elevate and reach beyond our potential no matter where we’re starting from.
The RVIVL community has blown us away from the very beginning. Our members are incredible people, coming in each day to push themselves to the be best version of themselves. Overcoming injuries, anxiety, obesity, you name it. That’s the best part of this job, and nothing I’ve done before has ever been rewarding to this extent – helping our clients become the best versions of themselves, build resilience, build grit, build confidence, and often build six packs!
RVIVL recently celebrated its one-year anniversary – our very client-friendly business model, along with our dedication to community, events, and creating the ultimate customer experience, allowed us to operate profitability from our very first month. We’ve been able to accelerate our growth plans are thrilled to announce that we’ll be opening RVIVL Manhattan Beach this summer and launching national franchising across the US in Q3!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The smooth road has been the response from the community, from our clients, and from our members.
The not-so-smooth part of the road was getting the doors open. We we’re given a concrete shell, no plumbing, no HVAC, no electricity, and told we have a few months to build. Prior to the Playa Vista space, we worked tirelessly to raise the funds for construction and get our permits through the city. Funny story is the older gentleman that work in LA City planning obviously had no idea what a Wellnesss/Fitness Recovery studio was. They weren’t going to come meet us or see the space due to COVID-19, and all they saw was Saunas, ‘Baths’, and our LLC, which happens to be named RED LIGHT ROOM LLC, in reference to our light therapy services. So next thing we know, we’re delayed 2-3 months and saddled with a huge pamphlet to complete and new regulations to comply with as an officially registered ‘sexual encounter establishment.’ It is Completely ridiculous and funny in hindsight, but that running challenge is people didn’t know what RVIVL is. At that time, it was just a PowerPoint presentation and what we could convey with our words. Now with the industry continuing to develop and the strength of the RVIVL brand and reputation, that challenge is alleviating. Note – we are in no way a sexual encounter establishment lolol – but clearing that situation up was very costly. Now our challenge is competition, and our approach is always and will always be to focus on the customer, focus on the experience, and focus on building the best team we can. We believe the rest will work itself out from there.
As you know, we’re big fans of RVIVL. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Unlike typical wellness centers, RVIVL is intensely focused on Fitness Recovery. Our approach is tailored for those who take their health and fitness seriously—think of us as the more intense cousin of your favorite spa, with services designed specifically for athletes and fitness aficionados. We have a number of professional and collegiate athletes that recovery with us every week. We pride ourselves on offering the coldest ice baths in LA, formulated in collaboration with Morozko Forge to ensure a refreshing and invigorating experience. Our dedicated team provides one-on-one care, guiding each client through customized recovery routines, including breathwork coaching for ice baths and personalized Vitamin IV therapies.
Our Core Services: A Blend of Innovation and Care
Ice Bath: Dive into the coldest ice bath in LA and experience an immediate reduction in stress, anxiety, and inflammation, thanks to our partnership with Morozko Forge.
IV Therapy: Indulge in IV treatments formulated by leading naturopaths and our Chief Medical Officer, Stanley Koh, available in our zero-gravity recliners for a rejuvenating boost to your immune system and overall vitality.
Red Light Therapy: Discover the power of Red and Near Infrared Light with our JOOV Dual Elite panels, enhancing your skin’s collagen production, reducing inflammation, and promoting faster healing.
Infrared Sauna: Enjoy our private infrared sauna suites, complete with hand-crafted showers, for a deep detox and stress relief, optionally combined with a cold plunge for an invigorating experience.
Compression Boots: Experience enhanced recovery with our compression boots in Zero Gravity chairs, perfect for reducing recovery time, improving circulation, and enjoying alongside our IV therapy.
Community and Events: More Than Just Recovery
RVIVL is not just about individual recovery; it’s about building a community of like-minded individuals passionate about their fitness journeys. From RVIVL Festivals to run clubs and corporate retreats, we host a variety of events to foster a sense of belonging among our members. Stay connected with us on Instagram @rvivl.co for exclusive access to our events and community happenings. We invite you to explore our array of treatments and join a community where each member is committed to becoming the best version of themselves. Visit us and experience firsthand the RVIVL difference, where every treatment is a step towards becoming the greatest version of yourself.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Our studio had not yet opened during the peak of Covid, but we feel fortunate that our business structure is set up with space and privacy, so if, in fact, we ran into a similar situation down the line, we feel confident that our business model would continue to flourish. We know that people have put a focus on their health and wellness that they might have otherwise been neglecting after living through the pandemic. That’s what RVIVL is bringing to our clients— several ways to optimize their health, prioritize wellness, and set aside time to heal. The other major lesson was the importance of community and socializing in person the importance of exposing your body to nature, and how devastating the effects of going without those can be on our mental health. RVIVL was designed to help in both of those areas from the beginning, and they continue to remain pillars of our brand. We have never and will never charge for +1s/guests for our contrast therapy and infrared sauna clients. Guests are encouraged simply because we believe Fitness Recovery is more fun with a friend/date/spouse/colleague/accountability partner!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rvivl.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rvivl.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RVIVL/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/70540802
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rvivl-los-angeles
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rvivl.co
