Story by: Kevin O.
Founded with the vision to create a space where people can reconnect with themselves and the natural world, Jen Miller is a passionate ocean lover whose journey has been shaped by a lifelong connection to water, an insatiable curiosity about the unknown, and a deep-rooted commitment to holistic well-being. We dive into the inspirations, personal experiences, and mission that have made Intomesea a beacon of healing in Southern California.
Interview with Jen Miller, Owner of INTOMESEA in Santa Monica, California
INTERVIEWER: Hey there Jen, can you tell our SoCal readers a bit about yourself and how you came to start INTOMESEA?
JEN MILLER: Sure! My name is Jen Miller, and I was born and raised in San Diego. Over the years, I’ve lived in different places, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Santa Barbara, New York, and London. My journey has taken me through various artistic and healing disciplines. I initially studied art in Seattle before switching to photography and enrolling at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, which was one of the top photography schools in the country at the time.
Later, while working in Los Angeles, I began experiencing health issues that led me to see a neurologist. At 31, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. That diagnosis made me reflect on my life and the things I wanted to experience. I decided to travel, visiting places like Thailand, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, India, and Nepal.
INTERVIEWER: Were those trips for leisure, or were you exploring alternative healing practices?
JEN MILLER: It was more about personal growth—a spiritual, emotional, and psychological quest. You could say it was a bit like “Eat, Pray, Love.” I wanted to see the world beyond just working long hours in photography and film. Some of my travels were also about my own photography and artistic exploration. During my time abroad, I made friends from London and decided to move there. I applied for an art program and lived in London for a year, where I also met my ex-husband. We moved to New York in 2007, got married, had a son, and lived there for six years before splitting up in 2013. After that, I decided to return to Los Angeles with my son.
INTERVIEWER: How did you transition into the wellness industry?
JEN MILLER: Around 2008, I was working for a high-profile photographer, and my health began to decline again due to the demanding schedule. I realized I needed a change, so I did a complete 180 and enrolled in a massage therapy program at the Swedish Institute of Health Sciences in New York. I became a licensed massage therapist, and during that time, I also got married, had my son, and went through a divorce—all within two years. It was a whirlwind.
When I moved back to Los Angeles, I started working as a massage therapist at Burke Williams, but I constantly felt exhausted. That’s when I discovered floatation therapy. I first heard about it through Joe Rogan’s podcast—he’s a huge advocate for floating. I found a float center in The Valley and tried it out. It was life-changing. The combination of weightlessness, Epsom salts, and sensory deprivation helped alleviate my physical pain and provided profound mental clarity. I knew right then that I wanted to bring this experience to others.
INTERVIEWER: When did you decide to open INTOMESEA?
JEN MILLER: My son was diagnosed with autism at four and a half, so in 2016, I put everything on hold to focus on him. About a year later, once he was more stable and receiving the support he needed, I revisited the idea of opening my own space. I had been marinating on this concept for years, so in 2017, I officially set up the LLC, found a location, and things started to come together.
I attended the FLOW Conference, where I discovered the Lucia No. 3 light—a hypnagogic flashing light that stimulates the visual cortex and pineal gland, creating an incredible sensory experience. I knew I wanted that as part of INTOMESEA, alongside float tanks, infrared saunas, crystal tubs, and a salt chamber. What started as a simple float center evolved into something much larger.
INTERVIEWER: What is the origin of floating therapy?
JEN MILLER: Floating was developed by Dr. John C. Lilly, a scientist who initially worked with sensory deprivation as part of government research, including the controversial MK-Ultra project in the 1950s and ’60s. Eventually, he branched off from that, and his studies led to the development of what we now call REST therapy—Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy. Research has since shown that floating reduces stress, alleviates chronic pain, and enhances mental clarity by allowing the brain to enter deep relaxation states associated with delta waves.
INTERVIEWER: Do you see a connection between your travels and your business?
JEN MILLER: Absolutely. Many of the elements at INTOMESEA, like sound baths, gongs, crystal bowls, and meditation practices, have roots in ancient traditions. My co-creator, Martha Lockey, joined me in 2019, just before we opened. She has extensively studied under Baba Muktananda and has been instrumental in bringing the finer nuances of meditation and energy work into the space.
INTERVIEWER: Looking back, do you see connections between your childhood and your journey into this industry?
JEN MILLER: Definitely. I have always had a profound love for the ocean. I started scuba diving when I was 14, and the ocean has always been central to my life. Growing up in San Diego in the ’70s, surf culture was a huge influence. My dad, who was a pilot and later a cattle rancher, was also a surfer back in the ’40s and ’50s. We shared a deep love for the ocean, and that shaped me.
INTERVIEWER: What made you want to transition from simply loving the ocean to scuba diving?
JEN MILLER: The ocean’s vastness, beauty, and mystery always fascinated me. It’s a world that feels infinite and unknown, and I wanted to explore it.
INTERVIEWER: What does being near the ocean give you that the city doesn’t?
JEN MILLER: Serenity, peace, and a sense of being able to breathe. When I scuba dive, I feel weightless—it’s the same sensation I get in the float tanks. Floating is like a deep reconnection with nature, a way to reset and recharge, even when I can’t physically get to the ocean.
INTERVIEWER: Was it important for you to create a space where others could experience that?
JEN MILLER: Yes, that was a huge part of my mission with INTOMESEA. I wanted to build a space where people could heal, connect with their deeper selves, and feel safe in their exploration. It’s about creating an environment where authenticity and transformation can flourish, and where people can take those experiences back into their daily lives.
INTERVIEWER: What experiences have you heard from clients that let you know you were on the right path with your business?
JEN: Every time someone walks in and just looks around in awe, saying, “Thank you so much for creating this space,” it validates that I’m doing something positive in the community. Whether it’s someone coming in for a salt chamber session or experiencing the Monday Night Cure sound baths with Dr. Chucky Lopez or Bucky Lover, hearing their comments—how they feel transformed or at peace—reaffirms my mission. People often say, “This place is amazing. Thank you for building it.” That means everything to me.
INTERVIEWER: If you’re talking to people who may not be so metaphysical in their connection, how do you describe your business to them?
JEN: I describe Intomesea as a place where people come to find connection—a deep connection with themselves. It’s a space for self-work, so they can then go out and connect more authentically with the world.
INTERVIEWER: Are there any organizations that you’re part of?
JEN: Yes, there are a couple of nonprofits I actively support. One is Shark Allies, founded by Stephanie Brendl. She does crucial conservation work, influencing policy changes to protect sharks. Sharks are essential to our planet’s survival because they regulate ocean ecosystems. Some shark populations have declined by 90%, and if they disappear, it will disrupt the ocean’s balance—affecting everything, even the air we breathe. I support her work as much as I can.
Another nonprofit close to my heart is Life Rolls On, founded by Jesse Billauer, a three-time world adaptive surfing champion. He was paralyzed in a surfing accident at 17 and created this organization to get people with mobility challenges back into the water. Whether it’s someone paralyzed from a car accident, spinal cord issues, or conditions like multiple sclerosis, we get them back on surfboards and into the waves. It’s one of the most incredible experiences to be part of.
INTERVIEWER: Most people fear sharks, but you seem fascinated by them. When did sharks become so important to you?
JEN: It started when I was a very young child. I used to have a recurring dream where I was a Polynesian man swimming far offshore near an island in the Pacific. In the dream, a shark came and took my legs, and then I’d wake up with my legs numb and tingling. As I grew older, the dream went from black and white to color. I truly believe it was a past life experience. Since then, I’ve always been drawn to sharks. Any chance I got—whether in school or college—if I had to write a report, it was always about sharks.
INTERVIEWER: A dream like that would make most people run from sharks. How did it draw you to them?
JEN: I’ve always felt a deep spiritual connection to them. It’s like they’re my spirit animal. Instead of fear, I feel a sense of understanding and connection.
INTERVIEWER: When did you first get the nerve to dive with them like you do?
JEN: I started diving when I was 14, but I didn’t actually see a shark in a diving situation until my 40s. Every time I dove, I searched for them but never saw one. Finally, in my 40s, I decided, “I’m going to see a shark.” I went to Guadalupe to dive with great whites. While that was more of a cage dive, I was determined to eventually swim freely with a shark—just me and the shark in the water.
INTERVIEWER: Is there a connection between your multiple sclerosis (MS) and floating? Did you find relief when you first tried it?
JEN: Absolutely. One 90-minute float session is equivalent to about four hours of restorative sleep. When I experience MS fatigue—which is my most prominent symptom—it can feel like I’ve been hit by a truck. Floating has been one of the most restorative therapies for me.
INTERVIEWER: If someone has a big medical event coming up and they’re feeling anxious, how could floating help them?
JEN: Studies show that even just one float session dramatically reduces cortisol levels. The effects can last several days. Compared to something like a massage—where the benefits typically last about a day—floating can have lasting effects for three to five days, or even a week. It’s like hitting a reset button for the nervous system.
Jen Miller has created more than just a wellness center—it’s a bridge between science and spirituality, a place where people can escape the chaos of daily life and reconnect with their inner selves. Whether it’s the sensation of weightlessness in a float tank, the power of meditation, or the energy of a community coming together, Intomesea provides a space for transformation and self-discovery. As they continue to support local conservation efforts and bring people closer to nature—both physically and metaphysically—their journey serves as a reminder that healing is not just about the body but also about the mind and spirit.
Stay connected with Jen and her story at: www.intomesea.com
