Two decades ago, my journey in the United States began—and believe me, I’m still far from reaching the halfway mark of this incredible path. In 2003, I arrived in this Land of Opportunity, knowing nothing about the true essence of the United States. That was the moment I realized my real battle for success was just beginning.

Going against popular belief and challenging Brazilian norms, I was a 24-year-old young man with no formal education—but driven by determination, honesty, and an insatiable thirst for learning and growth. Back in Brazil, I worked as a driving instructor, a job that provided a comfortable income, especially by the standards of my hometown in Minas Gerais.

However, when my wife became pregnant and talks of potential wage cuts in my profession began, I made a radical decision: to leave my newlywed wife and unborn child in Brazil and embark alone on a journey in search of better opportunities in the United States, with the goal of securing our family’s future.

Was it the right move? Yes—as a family man committed to being the best I can be, I have no regrets about coming to the United States. My only regret lies in the naïveté of my younger self—the lack of research I did about the country that I now call home. That initial ignorance cost me dearly—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

How many times was I humiliated or deceived? How many times did I sacrifice a decent meal just to make rent? How many times did I work without getting paid? How many times did I work while sick or injured? Shockingly, many of the humiliations I faced didn’t come from Americans, but from fellow Brazilians—people who should’ve supported a brother from their homeland.

I could’ve given up many times. But when my wife and child finally joined me, it rebuilt the foundation of our family, brought new hope, and marked the true beginning of my journey here in the United States. Succeeding in America is not easy. It demands everything from you—there are struggles, but there are also countless joys.

My story is not just a warning about what to avoid in the United States—it’s an honest tale of growth, without any magical formulas that promise easy, everlasting wealth. Here, nothing comes easy. But with planning, knowledge, and caution, you can build a future—and that’s what I offer to you, my brothers and sisters from our beloved Brazil.

Winning in life has never been my greatest concern—what has always kept me on alert is the fear of failure, something I refuse to allow in my journey! With God, family, faith, focus, and strength, I’ve carved out my place in this wonderful land called the United States—and you can too!