A Breath of Fresh Air: The Quebec Roots Behind a Hermosa Beach Wellness Haven

Dominic and Sachia Juneau turned an empty office into one of Southern California's go-to spots for hyperbaric oxygen therapy, with a healthy dose of Canadian warmth.

Tucked a block from the beach in sunny Hermosa Beach, Oxy Performance doesn't look like your typical wellness clinic, until you spot the hyperbaric chambers.

Since 2019, Dominic Juneau, a proud Quebecer, and his wife Sachia have been introducing Southern Californians to mild hyperbaric oxygen therapy (MHBOT), a treatment that pressurizes ambient air so the body can absorb more oxygen. Their clients range from pro athletes chasing faster recovery to people healing after surgery to those simply looking for more energy and better sleep. What started as a niche interest has grown into a favourite with the local wellness crowd, and the couple behind it has never lost the hospitality they brought from home.

An accidental business model

Like many great ventures, Oxy Performance began almost by chance. Dominic was working as a consulting CFO and needed a dedicated office. Being a numbers guy at heart, he didn't like the idea of unused square footage.

"We happen to have good friends back in Quebec who were selling hyperbaric chambers, so we decided to try selling them from the office," he explains.

Then their very first client changed everything. She didn't have room at home for a chamber, so she asked whether she could come to their office every day and pay to use theirs.

"That completely turned our initial business model on its head," Dominic says. "We realized there was a massive local demand for an accessible, community-focused space where people could experience the benefits of oxygen therapy without the burden or upfront cost of buying heavy equipment."

The sales office quietly became a wellness studio, and Oxy Performance was born.

From a visit to a new home

Dominic's own path to California was just as unplanned. Thirty years ago, he flew out to visit friends who had recently relocated. A few days into the trip, they offered him a job. He accepted and never went back.

"But you never truly lose your roots," he says. "Being a Quebecer in SoCal definitely influences our vibe. We like to think we bring a distinct Canadian warmth and hospitality to the beach. We treat everyone who walks in like family."

Two skill sets, one business

Sachia's background mirrors Dominic's in some ways, with a more client-facing twist. She worked as an accounting consultant and a real estate agent, a combination of number-crunching and guiding people through major life decisions that made wellness a natural next step.

"When Dominic and I realized that our office was shifting from a traditional consulting space into a busy health hub, we knew we had the perfect combined skill set to build it together," she says. "I took my experience from real estate, where hospitality, client care and building local relationships are everything, and used it to shape the environment here."

Today the division of labour is clear. Dominic handles the back office, logistics and finances, while Sachia runs front-of-house operations, client care and day-to-day studio management.

What a session looks like

For the uninitiated, the idea of a pressurized chamber might sound intimidating. Sachia is quick to put newcomers at ease.

"It is incredibly simple and deeply relaxing," she says.

Clients choose between vertical and horizontal chambers, depending on how they prefer to rest. The chamber is slowly pressurized with ambient air, and each session lasts about an hour. Inside, people read, listen to music, answer emails or simply nap. The treatment is non-invasive, and a team member stays close by throughout.

"You just show up, lie back and breathe."

A clientele they never expected

Who walks through the door? Just about everyone. On any given day, local athletes and gym regulars come in to speed up recovery between training sessions, sharing the space with patients using MHBOT as part of their recovery after surgery.

Then there are the everyday visitors: professionals and students dealing with the pressures of modern life who want sharper focus, better sleep and steadier energy.

"It's become a go-to sanctuary for anyone looking to recharge," Sachia says.

Partners in business and in life

Running a company as a married couple isn't for everyone, but the Juneaus say their secret is simple: clear boundaries and respect for each other's strengths.

"It's an adventure, but we wouldn't have it any other way," Sachia says. "Because Dominic completely anchors the financial and backend logistics and I focus entirely on client relationships and studio management, we rarely step on each other's toes. Bringing that shared passion home at the end of the day only makes the milestones we hit feel that much more rewarding."

Seven years in, Oxy Performance is proof that sometimes the best business plans are the ones you never planned at all, especially when they come with a little Quebec hospitality.

Oxy Performance is located in Hermosa Beach. Learn more at oxyperformance.com and follow them on IG here.