I view Brazil through the paradigm of a critical thinker, and I can't ignore the deep-rooted issues in the system.
Paradigm: How I See, Feel, The Brazilian
Way of life...
Who I Am: My Paradigm, My Journey, My Truth
I write this so you can get to know me, Antonio, as a real person. I was born in September 11th. – “The Day Americans Will Never Forget” – and I was in Boston – MA. This page is about my life, my paradigm, and my worldview. My conscious and subconscious mind, along with my personality, are rooted in doing good, caring for others, and loving you. No Matter who people are.
My journey began with a difficult, poor childhood full of hardships. But these adversities taught me a valuable lesson: we only have one life, and it’s the one we’re living now. We don’t know where we came from or where we’ll go. Despite the many religious and human speculations, nothing has been proven. What I know is that life happens in the present.
I spent 9 years and 7 months in the United States and another 10 years and 3 months in Europe. Through these experiences abroad, I learned the importance of humility, courtesy, dedication to others, and empathy. I have always sought to help, which is why today I have almost no material possessions. But I hold no “RESENTMENT”.
I treat each person as unique, with love and empathy. That’s just who I am, and
I won’t change. It is rooted in my soul, being kind, gentle, caring, loving, empathetic, humble.
Every person carries a story, and I believe in honoring those stories with respect and compassion. Life has taught me that the greatest wealth is found in the connections we build, the kindness we show, and the positive impact we leave behind. To me, this is the true measure of a fulfilling existence, and it guides every choice I make.
All they should have done since the early birth of mankind was to invest in the rejuvenation of human cells, proving that life’s core essence begins at its very foundation.
Today, at 59 years old, I face my own struggles: fragile health, sleepless nights, insecurity, depression, and worries about an uncertain future. Post-COVID anxiety has left me feeling more vulnerable, and there are days when the weight of unfulfilled dreams and financial difficulties make it hard to keep going. I often find myself questioning if I have the strength to push through. But when I look at the even worse situations faced by people in the Middle East and Africa, I find the courage to keep moving forward. Their resilience gives me hope and reminds me that no matter how tough things get, there’s always a reason to keep fighting.
My life took a huge turn when, after 8 years of hard work, my English school closed due to the pandemic. I had no support from the government, friends, or any network. It was devastating, and I went bankrupt. I felt like Lee Iacocca when he was fired from Ford, but unlike him, I didn’t have the same influence or network to help me recover.
I’ve always admired the ‘American Dream,’ where success seems possible for everyone in the U.S. But in Brazil, I realized there’s no such thing as a
‘Brazilian Dream.’ Corruption and structural difficulties make recovery almost impossible, especially for someone like me, who spent years abroad and returned. But now, I can see the real dark side of the other side of the coin.
The whole country is deeply corrupt, and it has been like this for many years. After living abroad for 20 years, I can now compare Brazil with the countries I have lived in. The United States and Europe. As a Brazilian, I can confidently say that 90% of this country is under corruption. Where is the problem? It can’t be solved because Brazilians are born, raised, and educated with corruption ingrained in their DNA from birth. The system is deeply embedded, and the culture of corruption is passed down through generations, making it nearly impossible to break free from this vicious cycle.
So, why did I come back to Brazil? My mother had a heart attack and ended up in the hospital. I decided it was my responsibility to take care of her. This care for my mother brought me back. If it weren’t for that, I would be living either in The USA or
in Europe. I must take care of my mother.
Today, I believe I can still make a difference. I want to rebuild my English school, teach, and work as an agent for agencies interested in connecting Brazilians with opportunities abroad, whether as students or legal workers. This is my mission,
and it’s where I place my hope.
Despite everything I’ve been through, the challenges, heartbreaks, and uncertainties,
I still hold on to hope. I believe in the power of kindness, resilience, and the human spirit to create change. My journey has shaped me, but it hasn’t broken me. I’m here, ready to keep dreaming, teaching, and building, one step at a time. After all, life’s true value lies not in what we possess but in the impact we leave on others. And for me, that’s the legacy I strive to create every single day.
Antonio Carlos Machado
"Where there is life, there is hope."
My Very Own
thoughts
and Quotes
A collection of thoughts and reflections born from personal experiences, challenges, and the wisdom gained through life’s toughest lessons at the ‘School of Hard Knocks.’ Each quote captures the lessons I’ve learned and the truths I’ve come to embrace.
P.S.: Pause on the quote, and it will flip to reveal one of my sayings.
"The Wisdom of Experience"
_____________
"Mother Nature was never fair. At 59 years old,
I should feel like I’m 30. After living 59 years filled with mistakes I didn’t know how to avoid, I’ve learned from those errors and corrected them. If I could start over, I’d be 30 today—wise enough to avoid the mistakes I made at that age, because I’ve already learned from them."
"Life is Short"
_____________
"People are in such a hurry to succeed, gain power, and get ahead, but have you ever stopped to think—will you live forever? Some deceive, cheat, and even kill for their own gain. But in the end, we all share the same fate... death. So why rush for things that are fleeting when we all have one inevitable destination?"
"Take For Granted"
__________
"This generation is incredibly privileged and doesn’t realize how hard it was in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Technology and conveniences like cellphones were unimaginable then. I come from a time when even a video cassette didn’t exist, and television was for the wealthy. At 59, I don’t take it for granted that I’m up to date. I’ve worked hard, and I’m not behind."
"Gratitude in the Face of Struggle"
_____________
"We often complain about our health and well-being, yet we forget there are people in hospitals, fighting cancer, children battling serious diseases, and elderly individuals nearing the end of their lives. They face daily struggles, yet we take our good health for granted. When was the last time we paused to appreciate the simple gift of being well?"
"Under the Influence"
_____________
"Are we truly in control of our own thoughts, or are we being manipulated by social media, television, and hidden forces? Are we aware that we are products of an organized system, shaped by those who control the narrative? We often think we act freely, but how much of our identity is shaped by the media and market around us? The question is, are we making the decisions, or is someone else pulling the strings?"
"The Forgotten Generation"
_____________
"While we complain about our struggles, there are children around the world abandoned, neglected, and denied the opportunity for an education. These kids live without the basic rights we often take for granted—safety, love, and the chance to learn. We must remember the countless children who face unimaginable hardships every day, with no hope of a better future unless someone steps in to help."
Four Roles, One Dedication
Wearing Four Hats, Living One Life
Antonio Carlos Machado
Mr. Machado
Self-Taught Learner
Toni - Your Buddy
Business English Center
The Business English Center is a dream envisioned since 1990, not just as an English school but as a hub where various niches of the English language converge. It’s designed to prepare individuals for real-world applications of English, whether for exchange programs, au pair opportunities, cruise ship roles, careers abroad, or Work & Travel experiences, while also connecting them to trusted agents worldwide to help them achieve their goals.
I am a teacher because I love what I do and discovered early on that teaching was my natural talent. Over time, with dedication and effort, I turned that talent into a skill. The encouragement from my students, coworkers, and even employers who told me I was great at what I did gave me the confidence to keep going and improving.
I believe everyone should do what they’re good at and what makes them happy. If my talent were gardening, I’d put the same energy into it and aim to be the best gardener I could be. Why? Because when you love what you do and put your heart into it, the results show. Teaching gives me the chance to do what I love: helping, guiding, and making a difference in people’s lives.
As humans, we often don’t realize our own habits—like slouching, speaking harshly, or being unintentionally rude. These are things we would avoid if we were aware of them. It's easy to spot these behaviors in others, but not in ourselves. Sometimes, we want to mention them to others but hold back to avoid offending them.
One thing I learned about myself is that I’m 100% detail-oriented. Over the years, five different managers pointed this out, and without their feedback, I wouldn't have realized it. Thanks to them, I started paying attention to the little things I naturally focus on.
Take this page, for example. I, Antônio Machado, designed it. I’m not a professional web designer, but you can see the care and quality in it. Being detail-oriented and self-taught allows me to learn new skills, like web design, and take on challenges I’m proud of.
The Business English Center may have started as a small school, but it always had the heart of a big one. I wasn’t just the teacher; I was the owner too, and that meant I made sure everyone received the best quality of teaching possible. Although the school had to shift online because of the pandemic, it never closed. My commitment to teaching remains the same.
I’m recovering now and ready to teach more students who want to learn English or Portuguese. I might be a small business, but I have a big heart—full of care, empathy, and a desire to help others. This is what made the Business English Center special, and it’s what will continue to guide me as I help people reach their language goals
