Hall of Fame Fundraiser: Brian Jones
Hall of Fame Fundraisers: Shannon Schade & Chris Andrews
TCO Tournament Director Glenn Whelan
TCO Co-Founders: Jon & Becky Thomas
On today's episode Sarah is joined by Brian Jones, a Chicagoland native and Brown Belt out of Pica Pau Jiu Jitsu & Grappling. Brian is a 3x TCOasis earner and was our Top Overall Fundraiser in 2025 having raised over $31,000, bringing his grand total to over $67,000 raised on behalf of Tap Cancer Out and our beneficiary organizations!
While on our annual TCOasis Trip—the reward for fundraisers who raise over $10,000 in a single year—Sarah sat down with Hall of Fame Fundraisers Shannon Schade and Chris Andrews (the only two fundraisers who have earned TCOasis every year since we started in 2021) to learn about how they raise so darn much!! Not only that, but how do they do it year after year, and what motivates them to stay so consistent? All their secrets revealed!
In today's episode Sarah sits down with the same person she sits next to in the office every day - Tap Cancer Out's Tournament Director Glenn Whelan! Glenn takes us behind the kimono so to speak, inside the nuts and bolts of TCO events, staffing, and more. Plus he gives us some insight on his journey to Tap Cancer Out, originating the role of Volunteer Coordinator, and MUCH more. Tune in!
Joining Host Sarah Fanning today are two very special guests. They’re married, they run a nonprofit together, and they’ve built one of the most impactful organizations in the jiu-jitsu space — all while balancing real life, real challenges, and a shared mission to fight cancer. Oh, and they work just a few feet away from this podcast setup!
Today on the podcast we’re joined by Mayara Custodio—an 8-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, coach, and passionate advocate for women in the sport. Originally from Brazil, she’s competed and won at the highest levels, and now she’s traveling across the country teaching seminars and inspiring women through Jiu-Jitsu. Her mission is to grow the community, open doors for female athletes, and inspire others to chase their potential both on the mats and in life.