Last week, the Tap Cancer Out team had the incredible honor of hosting our TCOasis fundraising perk trip—a sun-soaked retreat in St. Pete Beach, Florida for our elite group of fundraisers who raised $10,000 or more in 2024.
This annual event is one of the highlights of our year. It’s not only a celebration of our top fundraisers’ hard work, but also a chance to connect, learn, and grow together. We get to hear the stories behind their fundraising success, and in turn, they get to mentor and inspire others. It’s a powerful exchange that fuels the mission we all share.
Day One: Welcomes and Open Mat Energy
Arrival day is always a bit of a whirlwind, with guests traveling in from across the U.S. and Canada. Once everyone got settled, we kicked things off with a warm Welcome Reception—a chance for old friends to reconnect and new faces to join the fold. The night wrapped with our first open mat session of the week, setting the tone for the days to come.
Day Two: Training with a Legend
The excitement hit a high point on Day Two when we welcomed 5x World Champion Bernardo Faria to our mats. A true icon in the BJJ community, Bernardo brought joy, wisdom, and some seriously effective techniques.
Our youth attendees had the first session with him—filled with games, drills, and laughter—before the adults dove into a focused seminar on over-under pressure passing. It was a surreal and unforgettable experience for everyone, and we are beyond grateful to Bernardo for being such a generous part of our retreat.
Day Three: No-Gi Innovation with Adam Mazin
Day Three turned up the intensity with a no-gi seminar led by Professor Adam Mazin, a 3rd-degree black belt under Dean Lister and head coach at UFC Gym Largo. Known for his technical mastery and dynamic teaching style, Professor Mazin delivered a session full of strategy, precision, and high energy. Our attendees walked away with new tools—and a renewed appreciation for no-gi jiu-jitsu.
That evening, we gathered for our Gratitude Dinner—a relaxing, heartfelt evening overlooking the marina. It was a perfect opportunity to slow down, share stories, and express our deep appreciation to this extraordinary group of changemakers.
Day Four: Final Rolls & A Birthday Bash
Our final morning on the mats was led by TCO Head Referee Sergio Pimentel, who shared some slick De la Riva sweeps from closed guard—a fun and technical way to close out the week’s instruction.
Later, we shifted from gis to swimsuits to celebrate Anthony Muoio, our Top Fundraiser from Connecticut, with a beachside birthday bash full of sunshine and good vibes.
As the sun set on our final day, our team and attendees left with full hearts, tired muscles, and maybe a few sunburns. The bonds formed, the knowledge shared, and the memories made will stick with us long after the sand is gone from our bags.
We can’t wait to welcome many of these incredible fundraisers back next year—and hopefully see some new faces too! Remember, you have all year to reach the $10,000 milestone. Even if your event has passed, you can still keep raising until you cross that threshold and join us at the next TCOasis!