She warned me it might be too much, but I insisted. Despite feeling confident, I became paralyzed by nerves mid-song. I asked my mum for help from the microphone, and she gave me a stern look. At that moment, I learned a valuable lesson: ‘always listen to your mum!’
Years later, I played volleyball professionally, aiming to play for my country. Unfortunately, this never quite happened, so decided to it was then time to go university. I was torn between Law and Psychology: I decided to heed my mum's advice (see above!) and chose Law. I disliked it with a passion, but I persevered to make my mum and dad proud and happy and avoid that familiar look. Five years later, I graduated from Law School in Sao Paulo, gave my them the certificate, and moved to the UK.
where I taught in disadvantaged communities. I was to learn much more than I taught. Despite having a privileged life in Brazil, I now began to feel unfulfilled, understanding I hadn’t earned in myself. My friends criticized my idealistic dream of leaving Brazil for a country where I didn't speak the language, and starting over without my advantages, but I embraced the challenge.
I arrived in the UK in March 2001. My first job was as a cleaner in a sports club, and I worked my way up to Service Manager of Fitness. In 2005, I started an MBA foundation course at West London College to learn more about business operations, but I had to return to Brazil for a period when my dad had a heart attack. I then got married in 2006 and had two beautiful kids. I was still keen to return to work, however, and in 2008, I became the Reception and Reservation Manager at The Harbour Club. In 2009, I joined the Metropolitan Police as a Special Constable (a volunteer role), and for 11 years, I balanced this alongside a full-time job, raising children, and playing volleyball in the competitive London league.
responsible for twenty-five members of staff. During the lockdown, I pursued an initial Life Coaching course and discovered my real passion. I was determined to make this my career and left my existing role. Unfortunately, that same year, I divorced and faced the most challenging time in my life. This made it very difficult to concentrate my full efforts on my new career, but I persisted the best I possibly could until financial pressures meant I had to return to full-time employment, taking on a role in property management with HDG, which I very much enjoy.
2024 is a year of picking up old dreams and pressing forward. I remain passionate about Life Coaching, keen to help people fulfil their potentials, while also realising my own – two things which often go hand in glove, as I learnt first all those years ago in Maceio. So I am now doing my master's Degree in Psychology at PUC to gain my a stronger theoretical underpinning to the skills I have acquired in wide-ranging life experience.
Begin your journey towards a happier and more fulfilling life by taking the first step today.