Phil Learney, scientific & performance strategy advisor / Brass Monkey

Today Brass Monkey, the ice bath company created to address the growing gap in modern recovery culture, has appointed wellness and human performance expert Phil Learney as scientific & performance strategy advisor.

An industry stalwart, Learney’s expertise centres on sustainable, long-term readiness and recovery, with a particular focus on nervous system regulation, circadian alignment, and the impact of stress and environment on human capability. His role at Brass Monkey will focus on positioning cold exposure as a credible recovery and readiness tool, grounded in science.

Commenting on his appointment, Learney said: "I have been interested in the effects of cold immersion therapy on the nervous system for more than a decade. When I was introduced to Brass Monkey and Danyl, it was a meeting of minds; we were on the same page straight away. Cold therapy isn't a fad, it's a science. As the brand leans more into educating customers on the value of cold therapy in recovery and readiness, I'm delighted to be leading on the scientific and performance rigour."

Both Learney and founder Danyl Bosomworth share a commitment to a measured approach, aiming to resist "hack" framing around ice exposure. Learney's initial focus will be on improving scientific accuracy by challenging misinformation, reintroducing crucial context, and adding necessary nuance.

Bosomworth said the appointment reflects the company's ambition to lead in the readiness and recovery space: "There's a real opportunity to mature how consumers think about cold therapy and move away from hype. Readiness is about the ability to meet physical, cognitive and emotional demands - not just recovering from a workout. Phil is not just an advocate, he's an expert, and there is so much for us to learn from his appointment."

The news has been welcomed by industry partners. Jake French, general manager of David Lloyd Trafford (Manchester), said: "Members are asking more questions about the educational piece around cold exposure and how it impacts overall wellness. We see this as a significant growth area."

Brass Monkey recently partnered with Coventry University to initiate a programme of human studies, scientifically testing the impact of cold water immersion on mental and physical health.

Doug Thake, associate professor (research) at Coventry University, said: "Cold exposure is a powerful stimulus - done properly, even brief, structured sessions can deliver a noticeable reset. With Brass Monkey, we're turning the hype into safe, evidence-led routines people can trust. Our aim is practical: give teams a clear 'how cold, how long, how often' playbook that supports short-term regulation and long-term resilience"