AMBA & BGA EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS
Breathing new life into wellbeing
AMBA & BGA Entrepreneur of the Year Warner Jenkins reflects on the importance of wellbeing to organisational success and explains why he wants to integrate breathwork tools and structured wellness practices into university ecosystems. The IE Business School MBA alumnus talks to Tim Banerjee Dhoul
You won the Entrepreneur of the Year award 2026 for Nordic Wellness, an ecosystem connecting cold therapy, personalised breathwork and coaching. What is the problem that Nordic Wellness seeks to solve? “Nordic Wellness began with Nordic Wave, our flagship cold plunge brand, focused on delivering premium cold therapy solutions for high performers. However, what started as a product quickly evolved into something much bigger. We realised the core problem wasn’t just access to cold therapy, but also a broader disconnect between modern lifestyles and human performance. “People today are more stressed, overstimulated and disconnected from their physiology than ever before. We’re also seeing rising levels of anxiety, burnout and chronic health challenges, particularly among high performers. That insight led us to build Nordic Wellness as a full ecosystem: combining cold exposure, breathwork and coaching to help individuals regulate their nervous systems, build resilience and perform at a higher level. It’s about making these foundational tools accessible, structured and scalable in a way that fits into modern life.” What motivated you to do an MBA and why did you opt for the international MBA at IE Business School? “I initially pursued an MBA because I wanted to expand my global network and position myself for a career in international business. IE Business School stood out
because of its strong international presence, diverse student body and global perspective. “However, my trajectory changed completely while I was studying at IE. I was exposed to entrepreneurship in a way I hadn’t experienced before and quickly realised that building something of my own was what truly excited me. That shift in mindset ultimately set me on the path to founding Nordic Wellness.” What was your favourite part of the programme? “The entrepreneurial spirit at IE was by far my favourite part. There was a real emphasis on building; not just learning. Courses like Startup Lab stood out because they gave us the opportunity to actively develop and test ideas in real time. The learning wasn’t theoretical; it was hands‑on, fast-paced and closely aligned with what it takes to launch a business. That environment played a major role in shaping how I approach entrepreneurship today.” How did your MBA help get your business idea off the ground and how has it aided your subsequent development as an entrepreneur in the years since your graduation in 2022? “One of my most valuable takeaways from IE is the belief that entrepreneurship is a process that can be learned and developed. The programme provided a clear framework for how to identify a market opportunity, launch a product, scale a business and manage people effectively. It also broke down what can feel like an overwhelming journey
Ambition • ISSUE 2 • 2026 47
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