Returning to School in My 40s: A Journey of Transformation

Three years ago, I decided to return to school in my 40s. I already had a BS in Business from Brazil and was considering a master’s program, but I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do. Still, my intuition kept telling me: Go back to school.

So, I listened.

At first, as someone with years of experience in the advertising industry, I thought an MBA would help advance my career. At another point, I even considered politics and public policy. Meanwhile, in my role as an executive assistant—a job many underestimate—I had the unique privilege of gaining insight into every department within an organization. This exposure opened up endless possibilities for my future.

But the more I explored traditional career paths, the less excited I felt.

Then, another intuition emerged: If I was going to endure the challenge of returning to school after so many years, why not study something truly interesting, exciting, and new and not something meant to cater the corporate ladder?

For me, that answer was Neuroscience. For others, it might be music, art, or statistics. What is for you?

Fast forward to today: I’m in my final semester at Teachers College, Columbia University, and I’ll be officially graduating in May. Yay! I will miss walk over this aisle.

My Research: Understanding Loss, Transformation & the Predictive Brain

Last year, my thesis was approved—Amen!—focusing on how the brain interprets grief and loss and how we recover, adapt, and potentially transform our lives. But that was just the beginning.

Throughout my studies, I became deeply fascinated by predictive brain theory, active inference theory—the foundation of my thesis and a contemporary framework for understanding how the human brain works. Once you grasp this knowledge, you can start formulating powerful insights about decision-making, consumer behavior, and innovation.

But my favorite question? How can we learn to lose—so that, later, we can gain?

I also explored the concept of the inflexible mind, inspired by Buddhist teachings that say inflexibility is the root of all human suffering. Our inability to shift our thoughts, adapt, and flow through life like water is at the core of many personal struggles and even neurological disorders, what Neuroscientists call: Cognitive Flexibility.

Why do we struggle to be flexible? Why is it so hard to accept differing opinions?

I have so much to share, and if you’re curious, stay tuned for the below:

What’s Next: Masterclasses, E-books & Community Gatherings

As I wrap up my program, I’m creating:

? Live masterclasses on neuroscience and personal transformation

? E-books on inflexibe mind, creativity, loss, grief and transformation

? Community gatherings for experiential learning—so we can all train our brains to be more flexible

If this resonates with you, let’s learn together.

The Power of Learning in Mid-Life

Why am I sharing all of this?

Because if a mid-life crisis hits you—like it hit me—turn to learning.

For me, diving into neuroscience meant cutting out Netflix, news, endless political mayhen, and even dating apps (ghosting apps).

And all that freed-up time? It became a master’s degree in Neuroscience and Education.

If I can give you one piece of advice: Go back to school.

As adults, we are intrinsically motivated to learn—as long as it’s something we love. Sure, we might need more time to grasp new concepts, but in the end, we gain something far greater:

?? We stop wasting time on social media polarization.

?? We stop consuming the chaos of the world and start creating our own clarity.

?? We shift from being passive consumers to active learners.

Suddenly, your weekends and evenings are no longer spent doom-scrolling—they’re spent growing.

And in that process, you learn to focus on yourself. You become the person you always wanted to be.

If You’re Feeling Lost, I’m Here to Help

If you’re unsure about your next steps in life, I can help.

Because like you, I was once lost. But today, I’ve found myself—and that is, without a doubt, the most important day in anyone’s life:

The moment you can finally say, “I found myself.”

And that’s what I wish for you. ??