Marcos Moneta represents Argentina on the Rugby Sevens national team. In this interview, “Mone” shares his approach to physical recovery, cold-plunging, sauna, and the habits that support him and bring him closer to his goals.

You have a lot of recovery and wellness “rituals.” How did you get into all of this? Was it gradual, or was there a turning point?

I have a lot of rituals or methods to take care of my body. Honestly, it was a gradual process. I kept learning as I got deeper into the world of high performance and wellness. But from the beginning, I’ve always been disciplined, consistent, and focused on self-care.

There’s a phrase I always keep in mind: my body is my temple.

There’s nothing more important than taking care of your body. As a high-performance athlete, this is crucial because your body is your value, your main tool of work.

But even outside of sports, taking care of your body is essential. It’s the foundation of everything: without health, you can’t perform, work, think clearly, or fully enjoy life.

For me, recovering properly and doing everything I can to show up in the best condition the next day is key. And it’s not just physical. It’s also about my mental well-being.

What do you experience when you’re in cold water? And in the sauna? Is it different?

The experience, and how I feel in each practice, is completely different. But at the same time, they’re very similar.

Heat relaxes you, while cold does the opposite. Cold is uncomfortable, it challenges you. A lot of mornings I think, “I really don’t feel like getting in.” But both cold-plunging and sauna force you to be present and focus on your breathing.

They’re opposites that lead to the same result and feeling. Whether I come out of the ice or the heat, I feel the same: renewed.

All this attention to detail, what’s it for? Where does it take you?

It helps you become a better athlete and achieve better results. And in my case, it also helps me become a better person.

I think that’s what matters most and what’s closest to my purpose: enjoying what I do every day, making people smile, sharing good energy whenever I can, inspiring younger generations, and leaving a mark on Argentine rugby.

I’ve always been very detail-oriented. I try to do everything that brings me, even if it’s just 0.5%, closer to my goals, as long as it doesn’t go to an extreme that could backfire.

Practices like cold exposure, sauna, or infrared light make me feel good. I enjoy them in the moment and afterward. Not only do I feel better, but I also see real results.

What would Marcos the athlete lose if Marcos the person didn’t take care of himself this way?

I’d lose a lot.

Physically, these practices help prevent injuries, improve performance, enhance recovery between sessions, keep you mentally sharp, and allow you to compete at a higher level.

I’d also lose the values you build through these habits: consistency, discipline, and mental resilience.

And of course, all the long-term benefits: increased brown fat, reduced risk of certain diseases. Things that maybe the athlete doesn’t urgently need, but that future Marcos will definitely be grateful for.

I always think: How do I want to feel at 50? I don’t care about money or material things. What matters is being sharp, strong, and truly enjoying life.

Alfa Humans

Alfa Humans was born out of a simple need: to be able to do cold exposure without constantly buying bags of ice. But over time, that need turned into a purpose.

What drives us? Bringing tools that genuinely improve people’s lives: more energy to face the day, less stress, better mental health, more enjoyment, better overall health. In short, a fuller life.

Discover our story here.

And if you’re ready to take it a step further and embrace the cold and/or the heat: explore our ice baths and portable saunas here.