The long version of my story…

MY MOST COMMON EXPRESSION  “I have an idea!”

Born in Brazil, I was raised between Portugal, Italy, the USA, and Switzerland.

Life was not always blissful.

Despite the privileged international upbringing, with an abundance of love and material things, my apparent, sometimes exaggerated, happiness was my way of masking an abyssal sadness.

From childhood until my early twenties, the constant moves from country to country made me feel like I did not belong anywhere. I was extremely insecure, though most people could never tell, because I was good at disguising my feelings.

After spending most of my childhood in Portugal and my teenage years in Italy, at age 18 I moved to the US with my mother and step-father. I started my undergraduate journey at Villanova University, in Pennsylvania, to pursue an economics degree.

The Universe wanted me to travel a bit more while having international fun, so my last two years of college were spent parent-free, in Lugano, Switzerland.

With an International Management degree from Franklin University Switzerland,  I returned to Portugal in 1994. 

Here, I worked for renowned multinational corporations, two start-ups (mine included) and even a family business.

Life went on until one day when I was in my mid-40s, I realized I was operating on autopilot. I was overworked, unhealthy and lacking long-term vision.

I needed change, pronto!

While looking for ways to turn my life around, I quickly understood that for my life to change, I had to change. 

That’s when my interests, attention and intentions changed.

Prazeres, Madeira island, Portugal.

First, I understood I needed to acknowledge, confront and release my ghosts.

I harnessed strength by adopting a healthier lifestyle, practicing yoga regularly, learning to breathe properly, meditating, relaxing, thinking positively and eating healthy plant-based food.

Yoga practice helped open my mind and heart to a new understanding of myself and my place in the Universe.

Slowly, I embodied the yogic attitude toward food of  “eat to live, not live to eat”. I understood that food is a way of nourishing not only the body but also the mind.

After sixteen years of being vegetarian, in 2017 I turned vegan, as a way to further align with my values and beliefs.  

Because, in my understanding, transitioning into a vegan diet requires deeper knowledge about nutrition, in 2019, I invested in  Professional Certifications in Food, Nutrition and Health and Nutrition and Disease.

I chose Wageningen University’s online courses due to its reputation as a top research university in the field of nutrition. These nutrition courses prepared me to make informed, science-based dietary and lifestyle choices.

With the COVID-19 pandemic at our doorstep, in 2020 I immersed even deeper into personal growth, enrolling in a number of online courses from the Centre of Excellence.

While studying for my diplomas in Life Coach, Positive Psychology, Eating Psychology Coach, Master Herbalist, Vegan Nutritionist, Vegan Cooking and Yoga Teacher, I was also learning to become a gardener to grow our own veggies, free of pesticides.

During this incredible journey, as friends and family witnessed great transformations in myself and my lifestyle, some came to me for guidance and inspiration.

These votes of confidence encouraged me to open a new chapter in my life as a life coach and personal growth mentor.

Today I live a life that’s finally mine, aligned with my values, rooted in Portugal, in service to something bigger than me.

And here is what I most want you to know: my midlife years were not the beginning of my decline. They were the beginning of my becoming. That’s the Second Spring, and it’s the whole reason Finding the Bliss exists. Not because these years are the end of youth, but because they can be the start of the most alive chapter yet.

If any part of my story sounds like yours, you’re in the right place. Welcome home.

Are you ready to change your life?