#BALANCE
Father Son 2026
Koh Samui, Thailand | 6 - 12 July 2026 TBC
One week. Real talk. Real expertise. Core memories.
Whether you're a dad, stepdad, foster parent, or mentor, if you're showing up for a young bloke in your life, this experience is for you both. This event uses martial arts, culture, adventure, and bonding to address important subjects in an organic way.
Event Themes
Conversation Leaders, Mentors, & Mediators
We’ll be sharing more about each facilitator’s story, experience, and work in the coming weeks. For now, here’s a quick introduction to the men guiding this program.
Daniel Principe
Youth advocate and educator Daniel partners with schools across Australia to spark authentic conversations around relationships, consent, digital culture, and healthy masculinity.
As a 2025 NSW Australian of the Year nominee, he has spoken to tens of thousands of students and educators about building empathy, courage, and respect in a hyperconnected world.
Brayden Ainsworth
Former AFL player turned mental health coach, Brayden inspires young people with raw honesty and lived experience. He shares his journey of resilience from battling anorexia to embracing vulnerability, and now delivers workshops focused on hope, connection, and authentic self-leadership.
Brayden also serves as Youth Mental Health Team Leader at The Happiness Co.
Richie Hardcore BA (Hons), MA.
Richie is a New Zealand-based public speaker and educator whose work explores masculinity, mental health, social media, sex, and consent, with a focus on preventing sexual and domestic violence.
A former national Muay Thai champion turned coach, he uses combat sports and mentoring to support youth, people in recovery, and those leaving the justice system. Richie holds a master’s degree in sociology, is a White Ribbon NZ ambassador, and features in the Ministry of Social Development’s Change is Possible campaign.
Delivery Model
We work with experts to design activities that directly support the themes being explored. Using movement, challenge, and shared reflection to deepen understanding and create lasting core memories without a clinical feel.
Day 1
Communication
We open with a Muay Thai workshop, not just movement, but a lesson in Thai history, basic language, and cultural respect. It sets the tone: respect and connection can be communicated without words.
Lunch is a group cooking class. In Thailand, the ultimate gift is food. It’s not gendered; it’s not a task; it’s a way to show and share emotion. Majority of meals throughout the week will be shared, as is the Thai way.
The afternoon workshop covers how to have difficult conversations and understand how communication traits (good and bad) get passed between generations.
Day 2
Cyber Safety & Positive Masculinity
Start the day on the mats with BJJ; learning respectful boundaries, how to communicate without words, and how to stay calm under pressure.
Then we get real about online dangers: grooming, manipulation, privacy, and how to have father–son boundary conversations.
The afternoon is paired golf and media literacy; a practical, low-pressure way to reflect on who influences us online and whether that lines up with our values.
Day 3
Breath, Boundaries & Service
The morning kicks off with breathwork and cold therapy; teaching how to calm the nervous system and reset under stress.
We then move into a workshop on boundaries, consent, and sexual ethics, unpacking the narrative around what makes a “good man.”
The afternoon is spent volunteering with a local Thai dog rescue. While helping with feeding, cleaning, and walking the dogs, we discuss care, empathy, and service as masculine traits. The organisation has a strong online presence and regularly cops negativity. While working, participants reflect on how to engage with that kind of interaction and how not to be owned by it.
Day 4
Mental Health, Support & Coping
We go off-grid for a jungle camp. On the way, we run a "Masculinity in Media" challenge using quotes and behaviours from influencers and public figures.
Activities include a guided hike exploring non-verbal communication and a zipline challenge focused on fear and stress.
In the evening, a fireside workshop and one-on-one reflection time unpacks how to ask for help, how to support others, and how to spot red flags in behaviour and emotion, both in yourself and people around you.
Day 5
Build Your Mental Health Toolkit
A pre-dawn hike sets the tone.
After breakfast, we go kayaking, with discussion prompts around physical, emotional, and social coping strategies.
The return journey includes time to journal and reflect. On the way back to central Samui, we stop at local waterfalls to swim and reset before the intensity of Songkran.
Day 6 – Emotional Regulation & Cathartic Outlets
Morning martial arts session to ground and centre. Then we step into chaos — the Thai New Year or Songkran is a nationwide water fight.
Teams will compete in a beach rubbish challenge while dodging water attacks from every direction. It’s loud, messy, and exactly what many boys (and men) need.
This day is built for creative release, teamwork, and impact. Wrapped up with a beach dinner.
Day 7
Reflection & Looking Ahead
We close the loop with martial arts and optional monk meditation; a chance to speak with local monks about Buddhist approaches to finding stillness in chaos.
Then it’s free-range time to enjoy Songkran just for the sake of fun.
The final dinner is a shared meal and informal feedback session.
Participants share what they’ve learned, what they’re letting go of, and what they want to build next. This feedback session isn’t only aimed at self-reflection, it will encourage thinking about how what the group have learnt can be taken away to help others in the community.
Emotional Safety Framework
Our program is designed with clear strategies to keep participants emotionally and psychologically safe before, during, and after the event. This isn’t just about protecting wellbeing, it’s about enabling honest reflection in a supported environment.
Tickets
Ticket sales open January 2026!
Numbers will be strictly limited, and we expect spots to fill fast.
Register now to get early access and hear the big news we’ll be announcing before sales go live.
We believe everyone should have the chance to take part, so a small number of partial scholarships will be offered. If cost may be a barrier, complete the registration form to be considered.
Not-for-Profit Commitment
The Father Son 2026 experience is a not-for-profit event. All proceeds will be directed to our chosen charity partner, to be announced soon, ensuring that every dollar raised strengthens vital community initiatives.
While our official partnership is still being finalised, the design and values of this event have been shaped through collaboration with The Man Cave, The Centre for Women & Co., and Happiness Co. These organisations share our commitment to fostering emotional literacy, healthy masculinity, and respectful relationships across generations.
Although this retreat is created for men and boys, its purpose goes beyond gender, it’s about building safer, more connected communities through respect, consent, and accountability.
By attending or supporting this event, you’re not only creating space for fathers and sons to connect, but you’re also contributing to a movement that empowers men and boys to lead with empathy, self-awareness, and respect.
Stay tuned for the announcement of our official charity partner, together, we’re building something bigger than an event.
We’re looking for partners who share our vision of making this retreat accessible to more families.
If you or your organisation would like to support, please reach out to zoe@balanceevents.com.au
Sponsorship Opportunities
Stand Strong. Together.
This experience isn’t about “fixing boys.” It’s about cutting through the noise and building something solid — side by side.