Est. 2018 Riu Republica · Punta Cana 2026 · 31 Strong

Men's Mental Health
Retreat

brothers, not just trip buddies

A no-frills resort. Platinum bonds. Every 3rd Sunday in July, the crew leaves the deadlines behind, flies to Punta Cana, and does the real work: reset the mind, recharge the soul, respect the brotherhood.

Zero feelings discussed… 100% Healed!
Next Retreat Begins In
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Are You In? → ▶ Play the Anthem
31
Brothers Strong
#9
2027 Retreat
8
Trips Deep
1
Original Anthem
∞
Feelings Discussed*
The Brotherhood Creed

No Deadlines. Just Good Times.

It started as one man's birthday trip. It became a movement.

🧠

Reset the Mind

Leave the inbox, the noise, and the stress at the gate. What happens on the beach stays on the beach.

🌊

Recharge the Soul

Sun, salt water, and cold drinks. Tan lines are therapy — and a whole lot cheaper down here.

🤝

Respect the Brotherhood

We talk, we listen, we lift each other. Strong minds, strong bonds. Repeat every year.

No Deadlines, Just Good Times Strong Minds · Strong Bonds Tan Lines > Therapy We Talk · We Listen · We Lift
“Men's mental health matters. And the best way to improve it is to be around some good dudes.”
— Clensi, the group's unofficial mission statement
How the Legend Grew

From One Birthday to a Brotherhood

The group chat has changed its name a dozen times. The story is right there in the renames.

2018
The first trip touches down
A handful of guys from Hudson & Bergen head to the Dominican Republic. The tradition is born.
July 2019
“Rick's 50th D.R. Trip”
The group chat is created for Rick's 50th birthday. First words ever posted, from Eddie: “Sup bitches.”
The Riu Years
“Riu Republica Entertainment Team”
The crew adopts its home resort in Punta Cana — and starts running the place.
The 50ths
“Eric & Dilver's 50th (Mental Health Group)”
More milestone birthdays, and the “mental health” bit stops being entirely a joke.
2020
The year that got away
COVID cancels the trip — the only missed year. The brotherhood stays strong from home.
Today
Men's Mental Health Retreat · 31 Strong
Eight trips in, 31 brothers deep, with its own anthem. Every 3rd Sunday in July, without fail.
The Archive · 2026

31 Strong in Punta Cana

The photo wall from the latest retreat. Hover for the story.

31 Strong — the whole crew, matching shirts
The beach crew — linen game strong
Casino night, cleaned up nice
Under the Punta Cana palms
Party pool bar, 31 deep
Night swim under the moon
Riu party — right here
The brothers
Fully recharged
Therapy, neat
Wheels down — PUJ
A casualty of good times
A starter set from 2026 — 1,000+ more photos & 425 videos in the vault, ready to add.
The 2026 Anthem

“31 Strong”

An original track written for the crew by Jay — vocals by Brittney.
“Almost made me tear up. We're all getting tramp stamps that say 31 Strong.” — Clensi

31 Strong — Jay feat. Brittney
0:00 / 0:00
Hall of Fame

The Superlatives

Every year the brotherhood hands out hardware. Fill in the real winners and I'll lock them in.

🏆

MVP of the Retreat

— crown a winner —

Kept the energy alive from wheels-down to wheels-up.

😵

First to Fold

Photo evidence attached

Found horizontal in the hallway. A casualty of the good times.

💯

Most Healed

— crown a winner —

Came stressed, left 100% healed. Zero feelings discussed.

From the Group Chat

Quotes for the Ages

“
Sup bitches.
Eddie Martinez
The first words ever posted in the group chat, July 2019.
“
Check with your insurance — this trip might be partially covered by your men's mental health benefits.
Clensi
Welcoming the new guys.
“
Stay strong, brothers. We're living vicariously through you.
Alix
2021, to the guys who made it down.
“
Daaaaayum, Jay. Almost made me tear up.
Clensi
On first hearing the "31 Strong" anthem.
The 2027 Trip · Retreat #9

Logistics HQ

Everything the crew needs in one place. Send me the real numbers and I'll fill it in.

📅 The Details

Retreat DaySun, July 18, 2027
ArriveSat, July 17
DestinationPunta Cana, D.R.
Home ResortRiu Republica
Cost / HeadTBD

✈️ Getting There

AirportPunta Cana (PUJ)
From Newark (EWR)flight info
From NY / GAflight info
TransfersTBD
PassportRequired — check expiry

🎒 Packing List

  • Passport (valid 6+ months)
  • The official retreat shirt
  • Sunscreen — a lot of it
  • Shades & a hat
  • Zero deadlines
  • add essentials

💵 The Money

Deposit duedate
Balance duedate
Collected bywho
Pay viaVenmo / Zelle
The Roster

The 31

Hudson & Bergen born, with a few flying in from New York and Georgia.

Hudson County, NJBergen County, NJ A few from New YorkA few from Georgia
The Originals
R
Rick Garcia
The original 50th
B
Brian Cooney
Founder & group admin
E
Eric McCullough
50th honoree
D
Dilver
50th honoree
E
Eddie “Cheeko” Martinez
OG
E
Eggie
Birthday brother
The Brotherhood
C
Clensi Martinez
Mission statement
A
Alix Ploynice
Brotherhood
R
Robert “Doodles” Sanchez
Brotherhood
S
Steph
Brotherhood
J
Juan Lugo
Brotherhood
J
Josean
Brotherhood
J
Joe Rinaldi
Brotherhood
R
Rodney Kraft
Brotherhood
G
Guillermo Martinez
Brotherhood
J
Jay (Jorge)
Wrote “31 Strong”
R
Ramon Novas
Brotherhood
E
Eduardo Coloma
Brotherhood
O
Orlando Martinez
Brotherhood
N
Noriega
Brotherhood
O
Omar
Brotherhood
A
Anibal
Brotherhood
…and the rest of the 31. Send me the full roster + nicknames and I'll complete the wall.

Are You In For #9?

Reset the mind. Recharge the soul. Respect the brotherhood. Repeat every year.

Text the group →