Why we do what we do

Living a Fulfilled Life:
A Personal Journey

The wish to lead a fulfilled life—this desire marked the beginning of my struggles as a teenager.

As a child, I spent my free time juggling football, dance, gymnastics, theater, and music lessons. Yet during puberty, I gave up everything that once filled my heart with joy, for reasons like getting bullied and not accepted for who I was or am. For a while, I did nothing, until my depression deepened, and I came to understand: if I do nothing, nothing will happen.

A Turning Point

I started going to the gym sporadically, tried countless diets, only to quit again and return to unhealthy habits. Then, one day, I met someone—a new friend who inspired me with her passion for her work as a beautician and makeup artist. She showed me that everything was in my hands and that I had immense potential within me. Motivated, I began training regularly and discovered CrossFit and powerlifting, which became my absolute passion—and, for over six years, an addiction. I went that far until I had cronic pain in my left hip as I had no clue that there is a lot of stress in my body. I didn’t know how to listen to my body. This is a lesson nobody in classes teaches you in that time.

The Untaught Lesson: Listening to My Body

I pushed myself to the point of developing chronic pain in my left hip and Insomnia, unaware that my body was carrying an overwhelming amount of stress. I didn’t know how to listen to what my body was trying to tell me. Back then, this was a lesson that no class or instructor ever taught.

Struggles and New Beginnings

During this time, I dropped out of an advanced school program, started an apprenticeship, and endured years of humiliation at work. Alongside, I earned diplomas in nutrition and fitness training and many more. After years of battling between my passion and the bullying I faced, I took a leap of faith and sent a speculative application to a fitness retreat camp in Ibiza. My prayers were answered—I spent two years living every trainer’s dream.

Growth Through Mentorship

I worked with an exceptional, highly professional team and learned invaluable lessons in training, cooking, and coaching under the guidance of my mentor Nicole Gibbard, a seasoned expert with over 25 years in the industry. Over time, my hardcore CrossFit era transitioned into practices like bodyART, yoga, karate, and the influence of Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, my body was already deeply exhausted from constantly pushing past my limits. By my mid-20s, I experienced the first signs of burnout.

Adapting to a Changing World

Then, COVID-19 struck. The world changed, and so did I. I started therapy and began working on myself. Through a client, I found a job in the real estate industry, as being a trainer was no longer possible during the pandemic. Over the next few years, I pursued further education and became a self-employed real estate agent until the pandemic subsided.

A New Chapter in Portugal

As borders gradually reopened, I resumed traveling, training, and coaching. With the world breathing again, I decided to move to Portugal. Arriving here, I experienced a profound transformation. I completed my high school diploma, discovered Contact Improvisation Dance and Capoeira, began somatic therapy, and fell in love with surfing. Then, in this paradise, I encountered a deep burnout.

Learning to Heal

This time, things were different. In my 30s, my body required twice as long to recover. It was a harsh reality to face—one I could no longer ignore. I learned to recognize my triggers, understand my workload limits (which are reached rather quickly), and take steps to maintain my physical and mental health. Slowly, I began to rediscover lightness in life.

Returning to My Passion

I then decided to return to my work as a trainer, determined to avoid distractions from other jobs. This time, I took things slow and steady, step by step. Through somatic therapy, I learned techniques for regulating the nervous system and preparing for stress. I now incorporate these principles into every session with my clients.

Inspired by Life's Journey

There is so much more to share. Along this journey, I met—and continue to meet—amazing and inspiring people, reminiscent of the lessons in Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist. If you haven’t read it yet, I can only recommend it.

My Mission

Life is an emotional rollercoaster, and my mission is to prepare for this ride through movement practices and therapeutic techniques. My goal is to build resilience, handle stress differently than before, foster a loving and kind environment for those around me, and create a life filled with lightness.

A Message for You

This philosophy shapes my approach to training. I want to be a friend, like the one who once inspired me to begin my journey. Demonstrating compassion while providing you with the tools to not only excel in each session but also to navigate life’s journey together—supporting one another as human beings through every phase we share.

That is my message to you, dear reader.