Sensei Paulo Peixoto was a fundamental figure in my personal development. Through karate, he taught me lessons that I carry with me to this day—lessons that have been essential in both my personal and professional life. From him, I learned about posture, balance, body awareness, environmental perception, attitude, and action. During kumite training, he taught us to control anxiety, stay calm in the face of confrontation, and act with precision. He always said: “Karate is not for competition; it is for life. Don’t exchange blows—resolve everything at once with a single strike. Be firm, focus, and act.” It has been many years since I last practiced karate, but its teachings have stayed with me. When I was over 50, during a business trip, I was walking down the street when I sensed someone’s intent to rob me. The moment they approached to attack, my body instinctively reacted—one single move was enough to free me from the situation. The training had become ingrained, waiting only for the right moment to surface. That is learning for a lifetime. I hold deep affection and profound gratitude for Sensei Paulo Peixoto. His Dojo was a place of growth, where he strengthened not only my body but also my mind and spirit. Oss, Sensei Paulo Peixoto.

Avelino Balbino is a writer, educator and executive with over 25 years of experience in the education sector. He was the rector of Uninassau Maceió (University in Maceió – AL / Brazil) and regional director of operations, leading strategic initiatives in higher education. Creator of the LearnSprint framework, he currently works as a consultant in corporate projects and in the structuring of educational businesses.

My name is Edgard Lucena and I have been a Karate Professor in Maceió for 31 years. In 1992, I was invited by Professor Paulo Peixoto to live and work in Maceió. Since then, it has been a turning point in my life (personally, intellectually and professionally). Paulo had a huge influence on my professional life, mainly by encouraging me to study, research, learn about interdisciplinary topics, attend college and seek out good, honest, well-connected and intellectually influential people. Paulo Peixoto has promoted positive changes, awakening and stimulating my creative side, my leadership and my ability to develop unique work for over 30 years.

When I, Fabiano Madeira Fonseca, was still a pre-teen, I was bullied, mainly because of the difficulty I had walking normally due to meningococcal meningitis. Because of this, to avoid being attacked or hostile towards me, I felt ashamed of myself because of my difficulty walking, limping even more and walking with my head down, but even so, I never gave up, I always kept training to improve my physical and personal fitness. Paulo Peixoto developed a work, taking advantage of the best I had or could have, making me feel more and more confident in myself, over time. I become a person with a stronger mind and body, self-confident and with the courage to face challenges. This was my initial success, the result of his work.