When Long Beach resident Mindi Dovberg sat by the ocean’s edge during the spring of 2021 with a cane due to her physical ailment, she saw it as an opportunity to get out of her comfort zone.
Four years later, that opportunity has turned into something more as she approaches 1,000 consecutive days of taking a dip in the ocean.
The Reiki master teacher and mindset teacher started her journey as a way to heal physically and mentally – battling the adversity of losing her father, as well as the effects of a devastating car accident on Sept. 11, 2001.
Dovberg always walks into the water, slowly and mindfully as an opportunity to reflect on her past, building a discipline that she carries with her.
“I feel [my father] as I walk in slowly,” she said. “It’s something to walk into that water, feel the cold and not run from it.”
The accident afflicted the 52-year-old with a variety of injuries, including complex regional pain syndrome – a chronic condition that causes intense burning pain, swelling, and movement issues.
At the beginning of her journey, Dovberg explained it was “too much for [her],” the water’s edge was the furthest she could go, both physically and mentally.
Dovberg’s growing belief in cold-water immersion has allowed her to accelerate her progress over the past year, along with her passion to continue her journey and help others.
She explained that there’s a level of excitement from thinking about committing to going in the water, even when she feels like staying in the warm.
“I get so excited to do it every day,” Dovberg said. “The journey is about healing. The cold is everything.”
Dovberg begins her daily ritual listening to genres like House and EDM as she dances up the ramp to the boardwalk and onto the sand – where she etches the daily number in the sand.
Mother Nature has always challenged Dovberg’s consistency – strong winds, extreme cold, rain and snow. When Hurricane Erin made its offshore trek past Long Island, Dovberg negotiated with lifeguards, who allowed her to walk in shin-deep.
“Safety is always the priority,” she said.
Dovberg explained that the commitment to her consistency comes from making it to the next day, not the milestone itself.
“One percent every day is one hundred percent in 100 days. I take one achievement at a time,” she said.
Dovberg has continued her affiliation with the “NY Dippers,” a swim club from Rockaway that she credits with helping her along her journey.
The group’s support compounded with her progress have given her a newfound desire to inspire others:
Her swim group, Sunday Splashers, meets every Sunday at 10 a.m. from November through April on Laurelton Boulevard. Dovberg also uses her WhatsApp group “SUNDAY SPLASHERS LBNY” to post motivational messages – like quotes she’s seen – in addition to her progress.
“It’s an opportunity for people to push each other.” She explained. “You’re never going to be motivated to take a cold shower or jump in the water. It’s fun to do it with people”
Dovberg will reach 1,000 days on Dec. 29, 2025 with cheers from her supporters. When people say to her “what you are doing is extraordinary” or ask her how could she be cold she responds with a simple “I’m still human. I still get cold. It’s about discipline, not motivation.”
