Many of you already know that my name is João, that I’m a Human Design Coach, and that I’m a Splenic Projector 5/1 — but today I want to share a bit more about myself, because there’s so much more beyond our Energy Type, Authority, and Profile. The Human Design journey is always one of deconditioning — and our conditioning is our story. I believe in authenticity and the empowerment that comes when we honour our life path with deep respect for who we are and everything we’ve lived through.
I grew up in a modest family, in a neighborhood in the northern part of Setúbal. As a kid, I wanted to be a football player, but I quickly realized that one of my true passions was observing people. I’ve always been guided by intuition — from what I ate to the path I took home. I couldn’t explain how I knew what to choose, but I always followed that voice within. I wasn’t a particularly extroverted child, but I loved being outside playing and, of course, kicking a ball around. At home, I’d lose myself in Lego bricks and books. Spirituality was always present in my life through my mother, who filled the house with crystals, read Paulo Coelho and Eckhart Tolle, and practiced Reiki.
I was a bit of an unusual teenager. While I was socially active at school and did the typical things for my age, I had a deeply introspective side. I didn’t smoke, drink, or try drugs — not out of fear, but simply because none of that resonated with me. I loved History and often challenged my teachers when the rules didn’t feel fair to me.
At home, though, my family was falling apart. My parents separated just as I was reaching adulthood, and although it wasn’t a surprise, it left its marks. I’ve always felt deeply connected to the idea of “Family,” so it was tough to watch my mother pick up the pieces and see my father drift away. Despite my love for studying, I didn’t go to university due to financial reasons — and just like that, I lost the foundation I’d been standing on. My school friends went their separate ways, and suddenly, I was left with a huge void. What followed was a very turbulent period in my life.
From Gaming Addict to Soldier
It was through online games that I found solace. There, not only did I have a reason to wake up every day, but I also had a community that needed and depended on me. And to top it off — I was really good at it. My intuition, my ability to focus, and to understand and master systems quickly made me a leader to others. For the first time, I felt like I had found a place where all my qualities were recognized. What started as a hobby quickly became an addiction. The games began to control my life and schedule.
I tried to quit multiple times. The sedentary lifestyle started affecting my health, but it wasn’t easy. Every time I stepped away from the gaming world, I was met with judgment and loneliness. Time dragged on, and finding a job wasn’t easy. When I felt like I had no other option left, I enlisted in the army. I trained hard to prepare for the entrance exams. I went through boot camp, which was tough — especially for someone who didn’t align with that kind of mindset. I’d trade my meat dishes for soup with the other recruits because I didn’t eat meat. I ended up staying in the army for almost 7 years, working in a relatively calm position within the Communications Department. It was just another system — and mastering systems had always come easily to me. Online games, although they became less present, were still part of my life.
After leaving the army, I began working in the hospitality industry. It was around this time that I started diving deeper into my inner journey. After all, my Saturn Return was approaching, and something had to change. I began dedicating more time to something I had already been doing occasionally: self-development. I started turning inward, asking myself — what was inside me? What was my system?
One of my main paths was yoga — something I had already been practicing for years. Eventually, I went on to complete a Yoga Teacher Training course. At the same time, I was absorbing information from all directions: the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza and Lacy Phillips had a deep impact on how I related to the world. The more I looked inward and worked on myself, the more my connection to gaming began to fade.
When Human Design Entered My Life
Then, in 2018, I came across Human Design — and it instantly resonated. It was the first system I encountered where I truly felt seen. Human Design doesn’t just look at one side of who you are — it allows you to see every side, and helps you understand the why behind so much of your story. Discovering I was a Projector helped me understand why recognition was so essential for me to thrive, why any system felt simple to me, why I could focus so deeply on one thing or person, and why the role of guide was the place where I naturally belonged.
I also realized where my intuition came from — and I thanked myself for having known how to recognize and listen to it most of the time throughout the years. So many people are conditioned to ignore their Authority, and yet I had the discernment to honor mine. I understood that forcing things doesn’t work for me. I need an invitation to enter — and that took a huge weight off my shoulders, because the world around you tends to create so many expectations. And when you’re a Line 5, it’s even more intense. I started to recognize my gifts, and also learned to observe my flaws with curiosity — and gently began working on them.
Like any Line 1 — a system master — I dove deeper into studying. I consumed (and still do) a bit of everything when it comes to Human Design. I’ve never been a purist of the source and always stayed humble enough to listen to what others had to teach too, while knowing how to filter what truly resonated with me. I’ve studied with Jenna Zoe, IHDS, and Karen Curry Parker. I also closely follow the work of Richard Rudd with the Gene Keys. I think my Line 5 simply won’t let me follow any path blindly or without questioning. That just wouldn’t be healthy for me.
I continued my childhood habit of observing people, but this time through the lens of Human Design — and that’s when I realized I could “guess” people’s energy types, defined centers, profiles, channels, and gates. In truth, I was already a Human Design Specialist before I officially became one.
Turning your life around isn’t easy. I’ve fallen and rebuilt myself many times — each time tuning in more deeply with myself and my personal frequency. I believe my story is just that — a story — and that everything I’ve lived through brought me to this very moment. I will no longer shrink myself, dim my light to make others comfortable, or betray who I am.
It’s common to think that guides, influencers, or spiritual and personal development “gurus” are perfect beings who spend their days chanting om and sitting in meditation every time a problem arises. The truth is, their lives unfold just like everyone else’s. Sometimes we fail, sometimes we shout, sometimes we give in to temptation. What may set us slightly apart is that we avoid self-judgment, self-blame, and we practice self-love. And when I speak of self-love, I’m not talking about warm baths and candles — I’m talking about accepting who we are. When I speak of self-love, I mean having Faith in ourselves — the kind that doesn’t shatter with someone else’s outburst.
It was in realizing all of this that I understood my place in life, in the here and now — because I know nothing about tomorrow. I took a leap of faith and decided that Human Design is something I want to devote myself to fully.
These kinds of decisions aren’t made without deep inner searching, and certainly not without facing the heavy gaze of external judgment. What I’ve learned so far is that the mind lies, and the heart tells the truth. I’m here to help you through what I’ve learned. For those who are already involved in Human Design, or even other paths of Spirituality, you’ll know that the coming years are expected to bring intense shifts and transformation. I want to be on the right side of that future — and I want to help you be there too, if that feels aligned for you.
