The Story of My Life

This month's unusual edition wraps up the year with an interview about my journey so far and what I have learned along the way

Dear reader,

As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on a year packed with a million lessons and countless moments of growth. It’s been a transformative time, and I’m grateful for the experiences that have shaped me into the person I am today.

This month, I had the incredible honor of being interviewed by someone I admire deeply, not only for their intellect but also for the depth of their presence in my life — Gustavo da Cunha Pimenta . This conversation was unlike any other. Gustavo’s thoughtful questions and the safe space he created allowed me to open up in ways I never had before.

In this unusual edition, I’m sharing that interview with you. Why? Because I want you to understand where I come from, the experiences that have shaped my thinking, and the reasons I write about the topics I do. It’s a glimpse into my world, my mental models, and the unique intersections of my personal and professional journeys.

Through this conversation, I touch on the lessons I’ve learned as a woman, a mother, a designer, an innovator, and — above all — a lifelong student of this ever-surprising adventure we call life. I hope this story resonates with you, not only as a window into my world but as an invitation to reflect on your own journey.

As we prepare to step into a new year, I encourage you to celebrate the lessons you’ve learned, the challenges you’ve overcome, and the unique story you continue to write every day.

Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!

You can read the original interview here and follow Gustavo for more.

Leonor Gra?a Moura

"Leonor plays many roles in my life: friend, former student, work partner, and co-host in my side project, Cozy Sessions. She’s one of those rare souls who seem to have a direct line to my unconscious mind — often dropping insights about myself that leave me wondering how she sees what I can’t.

Our conversations dance between different wavelengths. We diverge on some topics, particularly politics, and the temperature rises when Jung enters the chat. But these differences spark something valuable — they open intellectual honesty and curiosity pathways. We have an unspoken agreement: understand first, be understood second.

I wanted to interview Leonor due to her recent “return” to religion. In a time when many are drifting away from faith, she’s chosen to rediscover hers. This shift intrigued me, not just as a friend but also as an observer of human reinvention.

Leonor has always been a seeker who questions deeply and explores widely, whether in systems thinking, psychology, or spirituality. Her journey back to Christianity feels like a culmination of years spent navigating through complexity, searching for something timeless and grounding.

In this conversation, we explore Leonor’s story — her idyllic childhood, her struggles with identity, and the path that led her to where she is now. It’s a tale about transformation, resilience, and finding meaning in unexpected places.

Let’s dive into a story about finding anchors in uncertain waters. Leonor’s journey might inspire you to consider new ways to think about your own search for purpose and grounding in a shifting world.

Bird’s Eye View

Can you give us a glimpse of your life story?

Alright, grab a coffee! ?

The Garden of Paradise (0–10 years)

I was born in Porto and had an idyllic childhood, filled with love, care, and freedom. Attending the German school opened me to a world of multiculturalism and discipline. My parents were loving, supportive and nurturing. Life felt like a dream.

Heavy Darkness and Confusion (10–20 years)

When my parents divorced, life took a difficult turn. I developed anorexia nervosa and sank into deep depression for over seven years. At my lowest, I weighed just 35 kg at 14 years old. During this time, I struggled with my identity and was torn between studying arts or medicine. I chose arts, driven by my passion for painting and writing. Though a challenging period, it taught me resilience and the importance of personal transformation.

A Fresh Breath of Air (20–25 years)

I studied visual arts at the University of Fine Arts for a year, then switched to Communication Design, which was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love with typography while studying with Jessica Hische in Berlin, Stephan Sagmeister became my hero, and later Manuel Lima introduced me to the world of data visualization. My design journey was taking shape, and I realized how powerful design could be in transforming complex problems into meaningful solutions. I also backpacked to over 15 countries with my boyfriend, which were some of the best years of my life.

Complexity, Motherhood, and New Religions (25–32 years)

I moved to Lisbon and began working at a startup designing educational apps and later became Head of Design at a science outreach agency in Munich, collaborating with the European Space Agency. This was a pivotal moment in my career, as I started grappling with complexity and data. I became deeply interested in how systems work, and this would later inform my approach to design.

I got married and had a beautiful daughter, but soon realized that my marriage wasn’t grounded in shared values. This led me to dive deeper into personal development, spirituality, and alternative practices. Over the next several years, I explored different philosophies and religions, trying to find a framework that filled the growing void I felt.

Psychology, Systems Thinking & Coaching (32–35 years)

In 2018, I left my job and later started a strategic design consulting practice. I met my former partner, who I was madly in love with. He was a PhD researcher with a strong interest in psychedelics and behavior change. He introduced me to new ways of thinking. I attended numerous trainings and events on consciousness and transformation, and our relationship matured me into someone radically aware of internal psychological processes. I also developed a strong interest in Jungian psychology.

When Covid hit, I became obsessed with understanding the world’s shifts, which led me to systems thinking, complexity and its integration into my design work. I transitioned from UX Design and Research to Service Design and advanced my training in the field. I completed advanced training in Service Design (where I met you, Gustavo!) and began weaving all my experiences together.

I started coaching while driving design innovation initiatives, and developed my own coaching system for leadership in complex environments.

The Prodigal Return (35–37 years)

After over a decade of searching, I found myself at a crossroads. Last year, my business nearly went bankrupt, and I faced intense personal struggles that forced me to reevaluate my life. After years of wandering away from faith, I returned to Christianity. This return brought me a new perspective, grounded me, and started a much-needed transformation.

Now, I teach Systems Thinking to Design leaders, consult on Design Thinking and innovation projects, and I’m also starting to contribute to projects like philosophy for children in schools.

While many pieces of my life are still unfolding, these new paths excite me, as I feel I’m finally aligning my skills, faith, and passions in a way that allows me to serve others more fully. Although I can wear many hats and am highly adaptable, I now understand my mission more clearly than ever before.

What drives you at your core?

I’m extremely curious and eager to learn. The moment I master a subject, I’m already moving on to the next topic that captures my interest. As a generalist, life feels like a never-ending invitation to explore the edges of my emotional, intellectual, and spiritual experience as a human being. At the same time, after years of deep self-investigation, I’ve reached a point where I know my values rock solid. It’s kind of funny because, despite being an innovator, I’m actually quite conservative when it comes to my core values.

I deeply value God, family, traditions, loyalty, depth, integrity, and timeless beauty and truth. As an innovator, I’m always drawn to the big picture — how variables and pieces connect in a project, a relationship, or even a political event.

Learning and Reinvention

What does learning mean for you? And how do you learn?

Learning is the foundation of my being — I can’t imagine a day without it. Whether I’m running with a podcast, reading the latest book that caught my attention, discussing something on my mind with my dad, researching for my newsletter, or experimenting with a new artistic material, I’m constantly learning. I set micro goals for myself every day: a mental goal, a physical goal, and a spiritual goal.

On a perfect day, I’d go for a run while listening to Jordan Peterson’s latest interview (mental + physical) and end the day praying the rosary before bed (spiritual). But learning could also look like walking in silence by the ocean (physical), spending three hours writing at a coffee shop about something that fascinates me (mental), and later in the day helping someone untangle a personal experience (spiritual).

I learn by being extremely curious about everything that happens “to” me and around me.

How has coaching and teaching transformed your own path?

When someone entrusts you with their secrets, life stories, fears, and deepest ambitions, it’s profoundly humbling. I’ve been graced by extraordinary people who chose me as their coach.

Their trust has taught me to appreciate the diversity of mental models and internal landscapes. It’s also expanded my capacity for deep listening, silence, and emotional connection — qualities that solidified me as both a coach and a human being.

Trust is an interesting thing.

The more you earn it, the more responsibility you feel for others, and the greater the commitment to uphold impeccable standards. In a way, trust is also the foundation of wealth — like reputation, it can be stored indefinitely, and its ROI only grows over time.

I was fortunate to have a brilliant coach as well, an american woman in her sixties with an incredible and difficult life story. After spending five years sick in bed and experiencing a near-death event, she developed an intense coaching method, which she shared with me during an intense 40-day coaching experience. She was a tough woman, that one! Those 40 days taught me more about myself than a decade of self-analysis.

From her, I learned key principles for self-mastery: the exchange for value, depth equals width, how our agency influences any situation, and the importance of focusing on energy over endless analysis. I also understood how the most challenging experiences of my life had shaped my psychic structure into something incredibly robust and sharp.

Teaching, on the other hand, feels like a natural extension of who I am. I’m fully expressed when I have an audience, sharing complex topics in fun and engaging ways. Leading groups or facilitating workshops gives me chills — it’s electrifying! I absolutely love it.

Over the years, many people have told me that our sessions — 1:1 or in group workshops — felt like therapy. Oh, the joy of hearing that…!

Meaning, Spirituality, and Balance

What are your thoughts on the so-called meaning crisis?

Moving on to the soft topics, are we? ??

There’s definitely a meaning crisis and I believe none of us can fully get the whole picture. What we can do is piece together different perspectives from a very complex puzzle. To start, our lives have become incredibly complex in just a few years.

The disruption of foundational structures like God, marriage, and family — things that once grounded us with routine and long-term vision — has left many feeling lost and nihilistic. Add to this the rise of digital nomadism, social media, the rapid evolution of technology, and AI, along with the countless variables we now navigate in an increasingly interconnected world, and it’s no wonder we feel overwhelmed.

We’re at a tipping point, facing either collapse or adaptation into a new system. We don’t yet know what this new system will look like, but it will likely demand unprecedented levels of resilience and adaptability.

Humans interpret reality through stories or narratives because the symbolic dimension unifies our perception. Without a shared, unifying story, we’re seeing the fabric of collective meaning disintegrate. Think of it this way: we’re moving toward a path of ever-increasing multiplicity and diversity — whether it’s AI, gender debates, politics, or technological advances. This is fantastic for innovation and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for humanity.

But there’s a downside: we’re drifting further from unity and shared principles. When this divergence reaches an extreme, it can lead to chaos and destruction — like how multiplying, unregulated cells result in cancer. For us to find equilibrium, we need to converge again around something that resists the test of time.

Call it religion, values, or philosophy — whatever it is, it must ground us, providing stability amid change. It should remind us who we are and where we’re going.

Today, many people lack a final destination, which is why religion fascinates me, especially Christianity. The cross marks the target — something to aim for, the highest of values. No matter the cultural or socioeconomic changes, it provides direction and a final destination.

How do you dance with uncertainty while maintaining stability?

It all comes down to values. If you can’t predict or outperform the storm, you can focus on building a rock-solid ship — one you trust completely. That ship is your Soul. And just as important is choosing your crew wisely.

Build the best ship you can, fill it with non-perishable treasures, and face the waves with the courage to speak the truth and do good, no matter what. The world ahead won’t just demand the best ships but also the best sailors — those surrounded by people they trust to weather the storms together.

In five years, stability might be a concept of the past. I think we need to face that reality head-on, and maybe even embrace it with a biblical perspective.

What brought you back to faith, and how has it changed you?

I spent 12 years obsessively searching for God in all the wrong places. That realization hit me last year, when my life completely fell apart. It was a prodigal son moment — after wandering far from the Father and spending all my spiritual currency, I returned home to the quiet, secure arms of faith. I didn’t find God in stability or in the act of piecing my life back together. I found Him in the simple, profound knowing that each day, I have what I need, I am loved, surrounded by infinite resources, and walking a path meant just for me.

I found the peace I was desperately looking for in prayer and ritual — through repetition and submission to something far greater than my self-serving interests.

Then, after reading the Bible, I understood that the framework through which one can navigate reality with wisdom is right there. The bible changes you and matures your understanding of what it means to be human. It reveals a timeless pattern of unfoldment that is ever actual, especially in today’s world. The level of symbolic synthesis that is contains is highly sophisticated.

I truly believe that, regardless of your religious inclination, everyone should read the Bible. It is the series of documents that has shaped the ethos of our entire Western civilization. If that doesn’t intrigue you, I dare to say you haven’t given it enough thought.

Past and Future

Can you share some of the major lessons you’ve learned in life?

1. Having children is the best experience in the world
2. Sacrifice — not self-interest or gratification — is the foundation of true community.
3. Store your treasures in heaven, where they endure.
4. Our family is our greatest and most rewarding investment.
5. The deeper I bow to God, the more He lightens my burdens.
6. Great things require long-term planning and resilience.
7. Telling the truth is always the right choice, no matter the cost.
8. Forgiveness must always be the highest priority.
9. Always leave room for the unexpected.
10. Feelings are elusive — keep your mind disciplined and clear.

Which big questions do you have on your mind currently?

I worry about wokeism. I have a daughter, so the awareness of different ideologies and propaganda has glued me to political discussions, especially in America, from where much of the Western discourse shaping our channels and media originates. I’m concerned about the dissolution of marriage, big families, and traditional values. These are pillars that hold communities together, and watching them erode is heartbreaking.

Another recurring thought is how the post-modern “mind virus” has infiltrated our culture. It’s made everyone believe there’s no such thing as right or wrong, good or evil — that everything is subjective and there are no absolute values. This is complete bullshit and only serves those who don’t have our best interests at heart. I was brainwashed by this non-sense in my years of New Age tourism, and deeply regret the energy I wasted trying to figure out life with this false narrative.

I also worry about the war and increasing political instability.

On a different note, I reflect a lot on how AI will revolutionize the world and the way we live in, and how to adapt.

I follow certain cultural figures who inspire me and whom I think might be pivotal in shaping the years ahead. People like Jordan Peterson, Elon Musk, Joe Rogan, Eric Weinstein, Bishop Barron, Alex O’Connor, John Vervaeke, Ian McGilchrist, and, of course, Carl Jung — whose works remain an ongoing source of reflection.

Lastly, I think about how much I’d love the freedom to simply be a woman — raising children, baking cakes, creating beauty, and being devoted to God. I don’t understand the modern pressure to be a “boss babe” CEO chasing equality in everything. I don’t want to be the same as a man. I love being a woman and everything that comes with it.

How do you face the future? Do you make plans for it?

I have a high-level strategic plan for where I want to go, but the tactical details are still unfolding.

I know I have a role to play in serving an audience that craves critical thinking, one that is open, creative, and willing to dive deep into what needs to be done.I also have a strong desire to work for the government in some capacity. I’m comfortable navigating complexity and ambiguity, and I believe in the ancient wisdom and wit of our country. At our core, I believe we are innovators, and with the right conditions, we can be incredibly adaptive and resilient.

The complexity of systems and adopting a systemic lens for solving complex problems continues to fascinate me, and I will explore this area as much as I can. I see myself igniting the collective intelligence of different groups, whether in government, corporate, non-profit, educational, or other contexts.

Although there’s no fully defined plan yet, I know that I’m slowly but steadily storing my treasures for when the time comes. I believe much is coming in the next few years and I can’t wait for the future to meet me — I’ve been preparing for it for a long time!"

?? Systems Thinking, Systemic Design & Innovation Course

If you enjoyed this interview and found yourself curious about complexity and systems thinking, I invite you to explore my latest course on the topic and join us for the next edition starting in January!

We’re living in an era where complexity is the norm, not the exception. As systems grow increasingly interconnected and challenges become more intricate, designers are called to not only navigate this complexity but also to shape sustainable services and products. It’s no longer enough to solve surface-level problems — we must learn how to understand and reshape entire systems to create a thriving, sustainable future.

In my Systems Thinking, Systemic Design & Innovation course,, I’ll guide you through the spectrum of complexity, helping you understand feedback loops and explore frameworks and methodologies to dive deeper into challenges. This course is designed for anyone who’s passionate about shaping the future through creative, innovative thinking.

?? What will you learn?

? How to identify and categorize problems along the spectrum of complexity

? Tools and frameworks to drill down to root causes

? How to visually map ecosystems and identify opportunities for innovation

? How to uncover patterns that drive systemic change

? Systems Thinking principles and their application to Design and Innovation

? Systems Mapping tools you can start using immediately with your team

?? Why do this course?

??Practical exercises: Real-world case studies

??Interactive workshops: Co-create innovative strategies for creating products and services in complex systems

??Systemic Design focus: Rethink processes and innovate sustainably

??Tools and frameworks: Start applying a systemic approach immediately after the course

?? Who is it for?

? Design Thinkers

? Innovation Facilitators

? Product Designers looking to improve problem-solving skills

? Service Designers

? UX Researchers

? Innovators eager to drive systemic change

? Educators wanting to understand the systemic forces that shape culture

? Policy makers

For more details or to secure your spot, feel free to reach out to me directly via DM or email at [email protected].

? Early bird registration ends on December 15th! ?? Let’s work together to build a world where complexity fuels creativity and innovation.