The starting signal was fired on October 20th of 1973, in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul. I did not have an easy childhood, but nothing ever lacked. I had manners, love, values, and encouragement sponsored by Dona Maria and Seu Raimundo. They are the reason for all my achievements. “You have to study to reach your goals”, said my old man. And how he was right…

I have always been an assertive and dreamy guy. I wanted to wear a tie, be a businessman and live in a big house with windows. So, “pau no cat!”. This expression was many times used by my coach to inject determination into my soul and it did not exist yet. However, the felling was already running in my blood.

I set up the chronometer and pressed play. The journey had begun, and my destiny was a mountain away. I’ve been working since I was eleven years old, from a newsstand to a baker’s assistant. I needed to strive to get to the top, however, not all the paths reached there. Some of them were dangerous, dark and could get me lost. It was sad to see my friends go through these paths and, the truth must prevail, I was terrified of doing the same.  

At this very moment, two allies emerge to the story: music and volleyball. In Racionais, Cartola, Luiz Gonzaga’s lines and verses I found inspiration and guidance to continue my journey. It was between serves and attacks that I manage to block any influence that could drag me down to the bottom of the mountain. It was out on volleyball’s court that I also met the love of my life, Adriana. 

My routine was study, work and court. Court, work and study. I only stopped for a few hours to sleep. I sweated to put everything together in just one day. The obstacles were endless, however I have never put myself down. I overcame them the way I could. I was in college when I saw my first résumé be thrown in a trash can. I was fired without further notice from my first formal job. I barely didn’t graduate for lack of money. In addition to all saw sport, which was already one of my passions at that moment, almost roll mountain down due to smoking. Many were the reasons to give up, however it was never an option, even more when so many good people were giving me strength. 

I have only reached where I am today because I leaned on the shoulders of the greatest. Inspiring people stood for me in every marathon’s stage. Friends, family and even a leader, who had recently hired me and let me borrow his car to assist my mother while she faced a delicate treatment at the hospital. Nothing in life you conquer by yourself. Nothing. 

I lived one day after another, always waiting for more, with my head in place, sneakers in my bag and earphones. That Cohab kid has reached the top of the mountain by the Dreams’ Path, but the marathon goes on. 

There are many mountains to discover. Therefore, speed up and ‘pau no cat’!