Matthew’s 21-Mile Midnight Swim for Deserving Youth

My name is Matthew Biancaniello and I am a chef, marathon swimmer, father of 11 year old twin boys and lover of life. I am swimming in the open ocean from Catalina Island to Palos Verdes (21 miles) on Sept 22, 2025 to raise awareness and support for an incredible organization, Indivisible Arts.

Over a five year period I have endured a lot of loss. My restaurant burned down in the Woosley fire after only being open for one month, I had major back surgery and my father, brother, mother and both my in-laws passed away. That strong sense of grief and numbness became the catalyst and inspiration to put my resilience to the test.

Ocean swimming has been the greatest anchor in my healing journey, and the practice of showing up and being present has ultimately shaped my path to consistency, mental clarity and a strength I never knew I had. This invitation has allowed me to cultivate more peace and zest into my life and to bring forth who I really am.

That’s why I’m proud to support Indivisible Arts, a nonprofit that empowers young people through mindfulness and creative expression. Their FundamentaLIFE Tools and curriculum teaches the next generation the mindfulness tools I wish I had learned earlier in life: awareness, acceptance, intention, gratitude, compassion, forgiveness and connection.

Students not only cultivate these tools to meet life on life’s terms... they embody them. They translate emotional growth into artistic expression through open studio time, working in mediums like 3D design, music production, painting, fashion, photography, resin art and more.

IA offers a scholarship program to underserved youth who may not have access to mental and emotional health resources, ranging from students affected by cancer, to system-affected and foster youth. They define success through their youth retaining and utilizing the tools in their daily life—resulting in students who are: spiritually aware, physically balanced, mentally sharp, and emotionally calm. Our goal is to hit $25,000 which will provide scholarships to students in need.

Your support can transform grief into growth, pain into purpose, and struggle into strength. Every contribution helps provide underserved youth with access to vital mindfulness tools and creative expression through Indivisible Arts’ transformative programs.

Donate now and be part of our mission. For more information of my journey, please visit @eatyourdrink on Instagram. To learn more about Indivisible Arts, please visit @Indivisible_arts on Instagram or explore their impact at www.indivisiblearts.org.