Overcoming Challenges: The First Step to Success
Overcoming challenges is an essential part of success. Every great achievement begins with a moment of courage—the decision to step outside one’s comfort zone and embrace growth.
What if one experience could change the way you see yourself and the world?
For Fernanda Ferreira, one of our wonderful students and Cumorah Academy alumni, this transformation became a reality. Coming from the rich and vibrant culture of Brazil, she possessed all the key attributes of success: diligence, focus, and determination. However, it was her time at Cumorah Academy that refined her vision, strengthened her leadership skills, and set her on the path to a brighter future. Through her journey, she learned the power of resilience, the importance of perspective, and the impact of a strong support system.
1. The Journey to Cumorah Academy
Having a friend who believes in your potential is a true blessing. Friendships are one of the most valuable aspects of life, and at Cumorah Academy, they are at the heart of our community. It was through a friend’s recommendation that Fernanda first discovered Cumorah Academy and our mission of empowering young leaders.
From the moment she connected with Cumorah Academy, she felt a sense of belonging. “From my first contact with Cumorah Academy, I knew it was the right place for me,” she recalls. Like many of our students, Fernanda enrolled in both the Leadership and Business courses, gaining invaluable knowledge and experience. Others come to participate in our English course, but regardless of their focus, every student walks away with a stronger foundation in leadership and a deeper understanding of their own potential.
2. Life Before Cumorah Academy
Education is power. It opens doors, fuels dreams, and creates opportunities for transformation. Without it, true success remains elusive.
Growing up in São Paulo, one of the world’s most dynamic cities, Fernanda understood the value of education from an early age. She is deeply grateful for her mother’s sacrifices and unwavering support. “My mom valued education deeply and did the impossible to provide me with the best opportunities to study,” she shares. Inspired by this dedication, Fernanda pursued higher education and graduated in 2022 as an English and Portuguese teacher. She became the first person in her family to achieve this milestone, proving that with determination and resilience, barriers can be broken.
She brought this same spirit of perseverance to Cumorah Academy, eager to learn, grow, and redefine her future.
3. Overcoming Self-Doubt: A Shift in Perspective
Transformation at Cumorah Academy goes beyond academic knowledge—it’s about personal growth, new perspectives, and overcoming self-doubt. Through engaging lessons, inspiring mentors, and meaningful connections, students develop a renewed sense of confidence in themselves and their abilities.
A. How Experiences Shape Our Beliefs
“To change our beliefs, we must create new experiences.” These words, spoken by Patrick Sedivy, deeply impacted Fernanda.
Before Cumorah Academy, she believed that success was primarily about knowledge and skill. However, Patrick’s insights helped her understand that true success begins with mindset and experience. The moment she embraced this idea, she began to approach challenges differently. Instead of fearing change, she sought out opportunities to learn and grow, realizing that new experiences could shape new, empowering beliefs.
B. Embracing Mistakes as a Path to Growth
Like many high-achievers, Fernanda struggled with perfectionism. She feared making mistakes, seeing them as failures rather than stepping stones to progress.
One defining moment occurred during a volleyball game on campus. She hesitated to join, afraid of underperforming. However, with encouragement from her peers, she stepped onto the court. Though she made mistakes, she also learned, adapted, and improved. This experience reshaped her mindset—she began to see failures not as setbacks but as opportunities for growth.
This shift in perspective later played a crucial role in her entrepreneurial journey, helping her push past fears and embrace the learning curve of starting a business.
4. Gaining Skills for a Successful Future
Beyond personal growth, Cumorah Academy provides students with the practical skills needed to succeed in their careers and entrepreneurial ventures. For Fernanda, the academy was a place where she honed her leadership, problem-solving, and resilience skills—key components for success in today’s world.
- Leadership: Managing a growing team, making strategic decisions, and fostering a collaborative environment.
- Problem-Solving: Navigating business challenges, identifying solutions, and adapting to a competitive market.
- Resilience: Learning to persist despite setbacks, using failures as stepping stones to success.
With these skills, she was ready to take on the next challenge: building a business from the ground up.
5. Overcoming the Challenges of Starting a Business
Starting a business is a journey filled with obstacles, and overcoming them requires courage, adaptability, and perseverance.
Fernanda, along with her fellow Cumorah Academy graduate Gabriel Oliveira, co-founded the language school Aspas. The early days were filled with uncertainty—financial management, marketing strategies, and customer acquisition all posed significant challenges. However, the lessons she learned at Cumorah Academy gave her the confidence and skills to push forward.
- The Fear of Taking the First Step: Overcoming hesitation and embracing action.
- Learning to Manage Finances, Marketing, and Customer Relations: Gaining hands-on experience in business operations.
- The Importance of Perseverance: Staying committed despite uncertainties and setbacks.
Through resilience and determination, Fernanda and Gabriel transformed their vision into a thriving business.
6. Advice for Future Entrepreneurs
For those who dream of starting their own business, Fernanda offers three key lessons:
- Study the Market and Seek Mentors: Knowledge and guidance from experienced professionals can make all the difference.
- Take Action with What You Have: Don’t wait for perfect conditions—start with the resources available and build from there.
- Understand That the Road to Success is Not Linear: Challenges are inevitable, but perseverance and adaptability lead to breakthroughs.
Rewrite Your Story at Cumorah Academy
Fernanda’s journey is a testament to the power of overcoming obstacles, embracing growth, and seizing new opportunities. By investing in herself and stepping outside her comfort zone, she unlocked a future full of possibilities.
Are you ready to take control of your story? Cumorah Academy is more than a school—it’s a transformative experience that equips you with the mindset, skills, and connections to create lasting success.
Take the leap. Overcome your doubts. Join Cumorah Academy and rewrite your future today.
