Tetris taught me that when you try to fit in you'll disappear

Oh, dear Tetris—what a wise message you’ve taught us."Fitting in" seems harmless, but it can creep into even the most self-aware and well-therapized minds.

It’s not just about the classic story of parents who expected a different career or life path from you. It’s about trying to fit into someone else’s idea of a perfect partner. It’s forcing yourself to enjoy wine-and-paint nights with friends when you’d rather be anywhere else. It’s blending into a job that demands you be more aggressive when that’s just not who you are.

Fitting in—when it goes against who you really are—sucks.It sucks bad.

Because when you try too hard to fit in, you start to disappear.Just like in Tetris: the better the pieces fit, the faster they vanish. Poof. Gone.

But here’s the thing—fitting in is not the same as being flexible or open-minded. Exploring new ideas, growing, shifting—that’s all beautiful. But fitting in at the expense of yourself? That’s a slow erasure of your identity.

Every time you shrink yourself to match someone else’s expectations, you move further away from your truth—your dreams, your purpose.

Each of us came to this planet with a reason to be here. It might take a lifetime to find that reason—but the more you disappear, the less chance the world has to experience the real you.

And you matter. Your story matters. So please… don’t vanish.

How often have you reshaped your path?

My life has been anything but linear—and that’s what makes it mine.

I’ve worn a lot of hats over the years, each one a thread in the fabric of my creative journey. Here are just a few:

• Translator for a rock band on tour in Brazil

• Costume assistant for an American movie shot in Rio

• Fashion marketing manager

• Experience working at big companies like Nabisco and Sony Music

• Fashion blogger for 5 years

• Bar host at a vibrant gay bar

• Fashion producer

• English teacher in Rio

• Founder of a pop-up brand for emerging designers

• Fashion TV host

• Health coach

• Content agency owner

• And most recently: filmmaker, writer, coach, foodie, educator, and multi-business entrepreneur

  
  

Sounds like a lot, right?

But the truth is, each role helped me uncover a little more of who I am.

Reinvention became my rhythm. Every job, every pivot, every challenge taught me something new—about myself, about resilience, about creativity. And every step shaped the storyteller I am today.

Life isn’t always clean or predictable. It's full of plot twists. But there’s power in the mess, and beauty in the process.

I’m here to say that you don’t need a straight line to success. Your story—however unexpected—is worthy.

So I ask you:

Can you see a bit of your journey in mine? If so, I’d love to hear it. Let’s celebrate the twists, the reinventions, the heart-led choices.

Drop your story in the comments below or send me a message here.

How Exercise Can Help Fight Cancer – The Science Explained

Let's talk about exercise. Since beginning my second cancer treatment, I've been sharing my daily workouts—not just for self-accountability, but to motivate others, especially fellow cancer patients. Physical activity is crucial at every stage of cancer: pre-treatment, during treatment, and post-treatment. It also plays a significant role in prevention. During my 2022 treatment, my oncology team emphasized exercising five times a week, even during treatment. I followed this advice, but I wonder how many patients truly understand its importance.​

Recently, I came across a newsletter from Dr. Rhonda Patrick featuring an interview with Dr. Kerry Courneya, a leading expert in exercise oncology. Their discussion shed light on the profound impact of exercise on cancer prevention and treatment. For those currently battling cancer or supporting someone who is, this information is invaluable.​  

I highly recommend watching it, but for now, here are some key takeaways from their conversation:

1. Cancer Can Affect Anyone: Dr. Courneya highlights that cancer can develop even in individuals without genetic predispositions or known risk factors. This resonates with my experience—despite leading a healthy lifestyle with no genetic markers, I still faced cancer.​

   
   

2. Optimal Exercise Recommendations: Engaging in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly is associated with significant health benefits. This aligns with general guidelines for overall health and cancer prevention.​

   
   

3. Exercise Enhances Treatment Resilience: Regular physical activity can improve patients' ability to tolerate cancer treatments, potentially reducing side effects and enhancing overall well-being.​

   
   

4. Muscle Mass Matters: Maintaining or building muscle mass is crucial, as low muscle mass has been linked to poorer cancer outcomes. Resistance training can counteract muscle wasting associated with cancer and its treatments.​

   
   

5. Structured Exercise vs. Daily Activity: While general physical activity is beneficial, structured exercise programs provide targeted benefits that everyday activities might not.​

   
   

6. Timing Exercise with Treatments: Integrating exercise into chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens can enhance treatment efficacy and improve patient outcomes.​

   
   

7. Challenging the Rest Paradigm: Contrary to outdated beliefs, rest isn't always best. Appropriate exercise can aid recovery and improve quality of life during cancer treatment.​

   
   

8. Aerobic vs. Resistance Training: Both forms of exercise offer unique benefits. Aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health, while resistance training is essential for maintaining muscle mass.​

   
   

9. Exercise's Role in Tumor Reduction: Physical activity may influence tumor biology, potentially aiding in tumor reduction and slowing progression.​

   
   

10. Cardio's Impact on Tumor Cells: Cardiovascular exercises might help eliminate circulating tumor cells, reducing the risk of metastasis.​

    
    

11. Variability in Exercise Response: Not all cancers respond equally to exercise, underscoring the need for personalized exercise prescriptions in oncology care.​

    
    

12. Evolving Oncologist Perspectives: The medical community increasingly recognizes exercise as a vital component of cancer treatment, reflecting a shift towards holistic patient care.​

    
    

13. Psychological Benefits: Exercise can alleviate anxiety and depression associated with cancer, offering mental health benefits alongside physical ones.​

    
    

14. Exercise Across Treatment Phases: Incorporating exercise before, during, and after treatment can enhance recovery and long-term health outcomes.​

    
    

15. Exercise as a Unique Therapy: Unlike pharmacological treatments, exercise offers a multifaceted approach, benefiting various aspects of health simultaneously.​

    
    

16. Encouraging Activity in Sedentary Patients: Tailored, realistic exercise programs can motivate even the most sedentary individuals to become active, improving their prognosis.

17. Economic Benefits: Incorporating exercise into cancer care can reduce healthcare costs by improving patient outcomes and reducing treatment-related complications.​

    
    

Stay active and stay strong!