A group of 30 individuals, from varied backgrounds, arrive at a warehouse in the Cantareira mountains in northern São Paulo, prepared for a Basic Survival Course offered by VRB (Via Radical Brasil). They come equipped for the challenge, with packed backpacks, camouflage clothing, and heavy boots. During the three-day course, they will live without access to their cell phones, sleep in uncomfortable rustic conditions, and deal with driving rainstorms that occurred during the weekend of February 6-7.

One participant, 43-year-old Thaiane França from Uberlândia, who has autism spectrum disorder level 1, shared her motivation for joining the course: to challenge herself and confront her limits. She underwent personal development work, including neurolinguistic programming (PNL), to manage her anxiety beforehand. She particularly aimed to overcome her fear of spiders, which she described as seeing them everywhere. In the middle of the woods, participants not only learn survival skills but also confront their fears and push themselves beyond their comfort zones.

The course aims to teach essential survival skills amidst nature's unpredictability, offering participants a unique opportunity to disconnect from modern technology and face both physical and mental challenges. As they cope with their surroundings and each other, these individuals are likely to leave the experience with newfound resilience, skills, and perhaps a better understanding of their personal limitations, which could significantly alter their perspectives in daily life once they return home.