Our story — Meet Michael
Michael and his wife Sarah met in 2008 at a local cycling event in Orange, NSW. Michael was knee-deep in his career as a physiotherapist, and Sarah was working as a graphic designer. They quickly found common ground in their love of health and fitness, which often became their weekend escape from busy work schedules. Over the years, their shared interests evolved into something bigger, blending Michael's understanding of the human body with Sarah's knack for functional design.
Before Body Recovery Co, Michael worked at a small clinic in Bathurst, treating everything from sports injuries to chronic muscle pain. Meanwhile, Sarah spent years behind a desk, designing branding materials for businesses around regional NSW. Around 2015, the two began casually brainstorming ways to combine their skills into a single project. A lightbulb moment came during a trip to the Mid North Coast, where Michael spotted a gap in the market for at-home recovery tools designed with both function and aesthetics in mind.
In early 2017, they took the leap, setting up Body Recovery Co in their garage in Coffs Harbour. Michael started prototyping tools in the evenings using foam, bamboo, and locally sourced materials, while Sarah worked on the branding and product designs. Their first product — a foam roller designed specifically for cyclists — was tested by their friends and Michael’s old clients. After positive feedback, they officially launched later that year, packing orders themselves and shipping to customers across Australia.
Today, Body Recovery Co has its own small workshop near the Jetty area in Coffs Harbour. Every product is assembled there with care, using quality materials like bamboo from a supplier in the Byron hinterland and foam sourced from a factory in Sydney. The brand has grown from that single foam roller to a range of tools for sleep, relaxation, and recovery, with orders now going as far as Perth.
— Thanks for supporting regional makers — Michael, Michael Cox
Journal
Using the Revive Muscle Roller After a Big Weekend
One long weekend, two sore calves, and a reminder why we designed a portable muscle roller in the first place.
Last weekend, Sarah talked me into a 13km hike through the Bongil Bongil National Park. I’m not a serial hiker like her, but the promise of rainforest trails and seeing a koala in the wild made me go along. Of course, I woke up the next morning barely able to move my legs. Both calves, absolute fire. Sarah called me dramatic but did hand me one of our Revive Muscle Rollers with a very pointed “here, use this.”
One of the things I forget about the roller until I’m in pain is just how easy it is to dig into whatever muscle is whining at you. Sore calves need focus on the gastrocnemius (thanks Google) — basically, the big muscle on the back. I spent about 10 minutes on each leg, applying just enough pressure to feel relief without making anything worse. It’s a fine balance.
I think part of why we made this design lightweight was for moments like this. You don’t want recovery tools weighing down your pack on a hike. Ours is under 300 grams, so it’s easy to throw in without thinking. Honestly, I should have used it straight after the hike instead of waiting till the next morning. But camping was calling, and I was more interested in firewood than stretching.
By Tuesday, my calves were back to behaving normally. It got me thinking about other times this roller has bailed me out — after Sarah’s cousin’s wedding (that dance floor was deadly) and during the mango picking marathon last summer. I say this often, but functional design really comes into its own when you’re hurting.
Anyway, Bongil Bongil was stunning, but next time Sarah suggests a long hike, I’m countering with a beach day. Flat sand, no inclines. That’ll do me.
The Sound Machine and a Quiet Winter Evening
How a calm winter night and an old gum tree outside Coffs Harbour inspired us to keep our sleep habits intact.
When winter really sets in here in Coffs, the evenings get that damp chill that makes you want to stay under a blanket with tea and a book. About a month ago, Sarah and I were doing just that when the strangest mix of sounds threw itself at the window. A mix of wind whipping through an old gum outside, the distant hum of waves, and a fair amount of startled magpies. It was one of those moments that was oddly calming if you really listened. We ended up sitting there for about 20 minutes, half-listening and talking about how chaotic the house was before we started seriously working on better bedtime routines.
This got us thinking about why we put so much effort into the Tranquil Vibes Sound Machine. Its whole purpose is to cut through modern noise — emails, traffic, and whatever your week throws at you — and give you 5, 20, or 60 minutes of calm before sleep. We spent weeks sourcing soundscapes from around NSW, getting those subtle layers right. The sound labelled 'Rainforest' is a mix of recordings Sarah took on a hike near Dorrigo and some more detailed tracks we worked on with local sound artist James Carr. We wanted authenticity, not just random loops you could find online.
Sarah always jokes about our constant testing phase — even now, we’ll put it on in our own bedroom when the house feels too loud. It’s surprising how much more relaxed you feel when you hear familiar, grounding noises rather than the hum of the fridge or passing cars. Last week, I even caught my dad napping in the living room with the ocean track playing. He’s now insisting we make him one with nothing but kookaburra calls. That man is a character.
For anyone who’s wondering, the gum tree outside is still there, still creaking in the wind. We’ve decided not to trim it back. It’s earned its spot, and besides, I think the magpies would notice.
Next time you’re out camping or just walking near a river, stop and listen to what’s around you. You’d be surprised how much inspiration's hiding in plain sound.
What Goes Into the Arctic Compression Wrap
Finding the right materials for the Arctic Compression Wrap involved long calls, one late delivery, and a trip to Albury.
Back when we were prototyping the Arctic Compression Wrap, I honestly thought finding the right fabric would take a month at most. Two samples, three tops. That’s not how it panned out. We felt like every supplier we called either didn’t have the durability we needed (compression isn’t light use) or couldn’t handle the chilling gel pack design we wanted to include. One company even sent us fabric described as 'elastic blend' that tore when I stretched it with my hands. Not promising.
The breakthrough came from a conversation with a supplier based in Albury. They showed us a material blend (synthetic but reinforced with a heat-resistant layer) that ticked almost every box. It wasn’t cheap, but it was sturdy, stayed flexible when chilled, and didn’t feel like plastic against skin. It also meant our packs could go from freezer to wrap without degradation. Sarah made a small prototype, sent it back to the supplier for testing, and they gave us the thumbs up for production about a week later.
One hiccup: our first big shipment ended up on a detour through Sydney due to a mix-up with the warehouse codes. We spent three anxious days wondering where half a pallet of fabric went — it’s not thrilling, but it’s these small dramas that stick with you. Eventually, we got what we needed, and Sarah managed to sew the first production run here while I handled the packaging side.
It’s odd to think that one small supplier in Albury helped shape the product that now makes up 20% of our orders monthly. If you’re ever in the market for niche textiles, I’ll happily send you their number. They definitely deserve more credit for what they do.
No matter how many units we sell, a part of me always thinks about that first bumpy production line. It reminds me how much work goes into something that looks so simple when it’s done.
Late Autumn and Why We Lean on Sleep Masks
As mornings get darker in April, I’m reminded why blackout sleep masks are more essential than we realise.
April in Coffs is such a calm, transitional month. The mornings are cooler, but not completely crisp yet. You wake up earlier for the farm markets but crave a second coffee by 9. Sarah and I have leaned hard into improving our sleep habits this season, partly for sanity (late nights working aren’t sustainable) and partly for health. Our Zen Wave Sleep Mask has become non-negotiable — turns out, blocking light has an underrated effect on feeling properly rested.
If you haven’t tried a blackout mask before, it’s a bit like shutting the blinds on your brain. Sarah was initially sceptical when we started working on this design, but when she tested the first sample and got 8.5 hours of silent sleep, she changed her tune. We made the final product with a super-soft fabric blend (70% bamboo, 30% cotton), sourced from a small mill near Tamworth. The team there is meticulous about weaving the fabric to avoid piling. It’s part of why even after a year of use, our masks still look and feel great.
One feature I pushed for was the contoured nose bridge. It’s small, but it seals out stray light far better than traditional flat masks. We worked through six versions before getting it right. A surprising number of people (myself included) use these even during afternoon naps — Sarah calls it ‘cheating’, but I stand by it. Quality control testing can be brutal, but this is one product I don’t mind ‘double-checking’ regularly.
Now that we’re getting closer to the cooler months, the pace of life here is about to change. There’ll be slower mornings and longer evenings spent around warm meals and quiet projects. That’s when the real sleep routines kick in for us. I recommend leaning into autumn rhythms wherever you are. There’s something grounding about accepting the season for what it is.
If you’re not already using a mask like this, consider how light affects your sleep patterns. It took us years to realise how small changes can bring massive impact, but I’m glad we’re here now.
Customer reviews
Emma R. — Fitzroy, VIC — 2024-03-15 — 5/5
So relaxing!
I bought the Zen Wave Sleep Mask and it’s been amazing. The added weight makes sleep so much easier. The delivery was fast too, arrived within three days.
James K. — Manly, NSW — 2024-06-01 — 4/5
Works well
The Revive Muscle Roller does the job, especially after gym sessions. Shipping took an extra day, but it wasn’t a big issue.
Sophie M. — Newtown, NSW — 2025-01-20 — 5/5
Perfect for deep sleep
The Tranquil Vibes Sound Machine has changed my sleep routine completely. The white noise options are great. Plus, packing was secure, and there were no damages.
Liam F. — Paddington, QLD — 2024-12-10 — 4/5
Great for recovery
I’ve been using the Arctic Compression Wrap after soccer matches. It helps reduce swelling. Slight downside is waiting a whole week for delivery.
Olivia H. — Brunswick, VIC — 2025-03-08 — 5/5
Better than expected
Ordered the Flexi-Stretch Resistance Bands. The different tensions are perfect for home workouts. Delivery was quicker than I thought too—only two days.
Andrew B. — Subiaco, WA — 2024-09-25 — 5/5
Really effective
The Revive Muscle Roller has been a lifesaver for my stiff neck. Received it well packaged and in great condition.
Clara T. — Hobart, TAS — 2024-07-12 — 5/5
Does exactly what I hoped
The Zen Wave Sleep Mask helps me destress before bed. Lightweight and comfortable. Arrived sooner than the estimated delivery time.
Lucas P. — Adelaide CBD, SA — 2025-02-18 — 4/5
Good quality, slow delivery
The Arctic Compression Wrap works wonders for my sore knees. Wish the delivery speed was faster, but the product is worth it.