12 years ago I made the decisions that changed my life.

 After training capoeira for more than 10 years, I got invited to go live in Mexico to teach capoeira. Without thinking twice I went; with no money, no plan, just holding onto my childhood dream, to be able to live doing what I love.

I lived there for 5 months then went home to Brazil for a visit. When it was time to go back to Mexico to teach, I discovered that the person who had been “helping” me with my visa had lied and stole from me. I was not allowed back into Mexico.

So I was back in Brazil, again with no money, no job, and no plan, but I didn’t lose hope. I was still trying to figure out how to get back to Mexico, but then a new opportunity came my way. I was driving with my teacher and a few other friends, in my teacher’s old Beetle, when he told us that he had been invited to an event in Paris. One of my friends turned to me and said, “Hey Cabeção [my capoeira nickname], why you don’t go with him?” On the spot, I made another decision to risk everything for a new opportunity. He told us about Paris on Wednesday, and by Sunday I was leaving for a new adventure in Europe, with a bag of clothes, 40 Euros, and the same big dream: be able to live doing capoeira!

This journey made me who I am today. I met many beautiful people, and also ugly people who tried to get in my way. But these experiences made me stronger, more kind, more mature, and knowledgeable, so I am grateful for everything that happened.

12 years later, I still taking risk, making mistakes, and learning new things. I still have the same dream, to share the power of capoeira, to show people how much capoeira can change your life. And I can say for sure, little by little I am making my dream come true!

I’m already living my next adventure here in Miami and seeing where this will take me.

And you – what was your big decision in life? Your big adventure? A decision that made you afraid, but you knew deeply that it was what you really wanted?

Please share it with me!