Operation: Flowstate
Part Holistic Wellness Summit
Part Jiu Jitsu Retreat
All For Veterans & First Responders*
with Seb Lavoie & David Zwoboda
October 16 - 23, 2024
Tulum, Mexico
All-Inclusive Experience Starting at 2150$ USD (excluding flights)
*Ask Us About VAC Funding Options
For the first time in history, holistic healing combines with world-class jiu jitsu to create an experience like no other
And whether you’re an FNG white belt or a black belt with multiple tours, this retreat will help you find a new flow - mentally, physically and spiritually.
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Top Level Instruction
Sharpen your jiu jitsu skills with daily lessons from Black Belt and retired RCMP Sgt. Major Seb Lavoie.
Learn how to take care of your body for the long haul & fix your shit with movement workshops by Doctor of Physical Therapy, David Zwoboda.
Foster a deeper connection to body and mind through transformational breathwork sessions led by yoga instructor and psychedelic facilitator Cordi Zwoboda.
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Intentional Wellness for Mind Body and Soul
This is not your typical jiu jitsu camp, or even your typical “wellness” stuff. We’re not going to get in an ice bath or sit in an infrared sauna and sip green juice (okay, there might be an ice bath…)
This retreat is all about connection, intention and depth of experience. It’s about wellness in every sense of the word.
And through guided meditations, psychedelic breathwork, and a traditional Mayan sweat lodge ceremony you will experience that sense of wellness perhaps more deeply than you ever have before.
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An AO in Paradise
Our secluded jungle resort invites you to slow down and disconnect from the worries of the world while you immerse yourself in nature. Chill by the pool or take a dip in our private cenote, wander the lush jungle grounds and watch the sun set over the tree tops.
If you’re feeling cooped up you can take a short taxi trip to white sand beaches or into tourist-friendly Tulum town.
In addition to our stay at the retreat center, we’ll head off-site to explore ancient jungle ruins, swim in a breath-taking subterranean cenote, and stuff our faces with tacos.
Our Retreat At A Glance
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Honestly, a lot.
The FlowState retreats are possibly the first events in human history holistic healing, spiritual practices and grappling training.
Okay, chances are pretty good that the Greeks or Vikings were doing some similar shit, but we don’t have any records of it, so I’m calling this the first of it’s kind.
But for real, this event goes so far beyond a jiu jitsu retreat.
Our Jiu Jitsu instructor has over 20 years of tactical leadership experience, and is active in the veteran community advocating for better mental health.
We will experience an authentic Mayan sweat lodge ceremony conducted by an indigenous Mexican medicine man.
So yea, we think it’s pretty unique.
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Our experience starts at 2150$ USD per person and includes pretty much everything from when you get to the airport to when you leave the retreat (see below).
Since we have different rooming options, the total price will vary slightly depending on the room you choose.
We are happy to help you choose the best room for you on our call!
Scroll down to see all available rooms and pricing!
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You may be eligible for full funding from the VAC through the “Education & Training Benefit”
Please inquire with our team about this option - we’ll walk you through the application,
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Transportation between Cancun airport and our center
7 night stay at Balam Ha Retreat Center - tucked away in the jungles outside the noise of the city
3 delicious meals per day, cooked with love
2x daily jiu jits instruction by Seb Lavoie
Movement & mobility workshops by David Zwoboda, a doctor of physical therapy
Daily open mat
Yoga & meditation classes
Holotropic Breathwork Ceremony
Temezcal ceremony - a traditional Mexican sweat lodge ceremony
Day trip to explore the Coba ruins, cenotes and Tulum Town
Daytrip to XelHa waterpark
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Your airfare to and from Cancun airport
Travel insurance - this is mandatory to attend the camp. We will help you to select the carrier, and you can expect to budget $150-200 USD
Lunch and dinner for the one day with off-site excursions. You’ll have your pick that day, ranging from $5 street tacos to a fancy steak dinner in town
Any additional trips you’d like to make to the beach or into town outside of our group excursions
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Traveling to Tulum is easy. The nearest airport is Cancun (CUN) International Airport and there are several nonstop connections per day from tons of airports.
From Cancun Airport, it is about a 90min drive to our retreat center Balam-Ha.
We will coordinate with the group to arrange airport transfer as we get closer to the retreat date.
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To register for the camp, please use the button below to fill out the intake form.
Someone from our team will contact you shortly after it is submitted.
We do not allow anyone to sign up without getting on a call with us first to ensure that you understand the specifics of this camp and that it is safe for you to participate. Plus we like to screen out weirdos…
We will take a $500 deposit to secure your spot when you sign up. See bottom of page for full payment terms.
Our Private Jungle Paradise
Tucked away in the lush jungle of the Yucatan, Balam Ha invites you to disconnect from the stresses of society and reconnect with nature. The land is so lush, tranquil and secluded that you would never guess it’s just just a few minutes away from some of the most pristine white sandy beaches of the Riviera Maya, and just a short drive away from all the action in Tulum town.
And best of all, we have the entire center to ourselves all week. This is a safe space to explore your connection with yourself, with mother nature, and with the gentle art.
Accommodations
Balam Ha is a large compound with several different lodging building, each with a unique vibe.
We offer some shared accommodations for a more cost-effective option, as well as private rooms and casitas.
There are four main buildings with different levels and rooming options. Pricing varies between rooms and occupancy - keep reading to check out all the options.
Room Categories
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This is our most affordable rooming option.
You’ll have your own comfy Queen bed in a shared room with 1 or 2 of your favorite gym buddies.
Male or female only.
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Relax in your own private room with a King bed.
From 2550$ USD for single occupancy.
Get cozy and share a bed with your favorite gym buddy for 2150$ USD per person.
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The creme de la creme. Enjoy your own space with private bathroom.
Or get cozy and share a bed with your favorite gym buddy for 2550$ per person.
Meet the Team
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Seb Lavoie
BJJ Black Belt | Retired Sgt. Major for British Columbia RCMP| Malligator Dad
Seb retired after 23 years of combined service between the military and police force. He spent 16 years in tactical units before retiring as the Chief Warrant Officer for the British Columbia Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Building on his two decades of tactical operations experience, Seb now conducts leadership and security consulting for governments and NGO’s the world over through his firm Raven Strategic Inc.When he’s not training foreign forces, he’s training or teaching jiu jitsu at Ascension Martial Arts and raising his Belgian Malinios puppy, Achilles.
Get to know Seb & Dave by listening to episode #29 of The Way Broadly Podcast
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David Zwoboda
Doctor of Physical Therapy | BJJ Blue Belt | Microdosing Guide | Podcast Host | Sourdough Bread Enthusiast
David got his DPT degree from the University of Delaware, one of the top PT schools in the world. After just about a year of clinical work though, he became dissilusioned with the healthcare system and his practice began to shift away from conventional physical therapy and towards mental and emotional wellness.
Now, after years of working independently with clients and working on himself with psychedelics, David is on a mission to bring the healing powers of traditional plant medicines to the jiu jitsu community. He works with civilians looking to become better versions of themselves and with veterans looking to overcome their PTSD and TBI symptoms.
David sees jiu jitsu as the ultimate vehicle for self-improvement and spiritual growth, and he is super fucking stoked to put this retreat together. -
Cordi Zwoboda
Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor | Psychedelic Guide | Breathwork Facilitator | BJJ White Belt
Cordi is a jiu-jitsu baby, with only a few months of training and one stripe to show for it.
While Cordi is new to martial arts, she is no novice when it comes to mindfulness and plant medicine practices. She spent over 5 years traveling the world while teaching yoga and learning from plant medicine masters of different lineages and cultures. She currently is an apprentice under an indigenous Shipibo Maestra in Peru where she and David facilitate Ayahuasca ceremonies.
Cordi offers yoga and meditation sessions with optional plant medicine throughout the week to explore your body, mind, and breath in a new way.
You know that jiu jitsu is more…
It’s more than a sport - it is a community and a lifestyle
It’s more than a workout - it is an art form and a lethal tool
It’s more than the physical body - it is the mental game and the philosophy
But do you know how much more it can be?
Welcome to the world's first jiu jitsu camp for veterans infused with intentional plant medicine and holistic wellness practices.
Whether you are a no stripe white belt and FNG or a black belt with five tours of duty - we invite you to join us for a truly transformational experience that will help you unlock your full potential and reconnect with your inner strength.
Ready to Roll?
REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY
There are many logistics in planning an out-of-country retreat so we must apply the following refund & cancellation policy.
Please be sure to review this policy before applying.
An $800 USD deposit is required to secure your spot at the time of signing up. This amount counts towards your total bill; the remaining balance is to be brought with you in cash USD at the time of the retreat if possible.
The deposit is non-refundable. The only instance in which a refund will be issues, minus processing fees, is if you can personally find someone to substitute in for your spot.
In extreme cases, we are open to discussing alternative options. We can consider moving your payment to a different retreat or service with us.
If for any reason we have to cancel the retreat, your payment will be refunded in full, minus credit card processing fees.
*Please note that this refund policy applies only to the cost of the retreat - other costs such as transportation, flights, visas etc. are the responsibility of the participant.