Gustavo Martínez, a recognized entrepreneur in the educational sector for his successful career, is launching an innovative book that radiates hope and motivation in challenging times. The book, titled ‘Princípios Poderosos para Recomeçar: o fundo do poço não é o seu lugar’ (Powerful Principles for Restarting: Rock Bottom Is Not Your Place), is a true guide to overcoming and resilience. This work highlights inspiring stories of notable personalities, including figures such as Abraham Lincoln, Ronaldo Fenômeno, J.K. Rowling, among others, who faced monumental adversities and reinvented their lives.
Martínez, who brings a successful journey after founding the Newcastle Group at 24, shares valuable insights and powerful messages on facing challenges. The book, with a preface signed by basketball icon Oscar Schmidt, aims to inspire every individual to rebuild their dreams and find strength in adversity.
The book serves as an invitation to overcoming and the power to rebuild a fulfilling life, reminding that each person has the potential to transform not only their own story but also those around them.
Besides offering inspiring testimonies, the work also shares reflections on the fear of failure and insecurity, challenging readers to embrace changes and positive actions. By providing vivid examples of reinvention, Martínez reinforces the message that dissatisfaction can be a catalyst for decisions shaping a more hopeful future.
The book ‘Princípios Poderosos para Recomeçar: o fundo do poço não é o seu lugar’ promises to be a source of inspiration and encouragement for those seeking resilience and a fresh start, demonstrating that even in the most challenging moments, opportunities for growth and transformation can be found.
Of the notable examples of overcoming mentioned in your book, such as the trajectory of Abraham Lincoln, Ronaldo Fenômeno and JK Rowling, which aspects impressed you most in their journeys of new beginnings? And how did these stories inspire you in writing your book?
For me, all the stories shared in the book somehow impacted my life during the new beginnings of my journey; As an entrepreneur for 14 years I had many new beginnings, but the main ones were Ronaldo Fenômeno who broke his knee at the height of his career, he heard from many people that if he walked again it would be a miracle and he came back, he won the World Cup, he was the top scorer in the World Cup and an example for every Brazilian that giving up should never be an option; other stories that inspire me were that of Lionel Messi who was hated in his country and after winning the World Cup he became the nation’s greatest idol, Liza Velásquez has a beautiful story of overcoming and Stallone.
When migrating from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, what were the fundamental principles that guided your path, contributing to Newcastle’s recognition and success? How do these principles continue to guide the company today?
Loyalty, honesty, innovation and collective. I really believe in these pillars for any high-level performer project; Loyalty has to do with a team of people with character, who do not corrupt their values under circumstances; Honesty has to do with transparency and assertive communication, alignment of expectations and vision of the future; Innovation of not focusing on what the competitor does, not looking at the neighbor’s grass but seeking evolution will always remain the reference and not the copy; Collectiveness: everyone on the team is important and must be encouraged to develop; One team becomes the winner; when the great become small, for the small to become great. Create harmony with the team and everyone has the initiative to sacrifice themselves for what is best for the collective.
How does Newcastle Idiomas, from its founding to its current recognition and success, demonstrate the application of essential principles and how do these values contribute to the brand’s excellence in the market?
These principles are demonstrated in everyday practice; Newcastle has become the best-rated brand in the sector in the region in which it operates and this culture with the company’s principles and values were externalities for the students who followed the development of many professionals throughout their journeys. All Newcastle franchisees are people who started as employees and understood this mentality and through it built the pillars for the development of their professional careers.
His work, ‘Powerful Principles to Start Over’, promotes reflections on resilience and reframing. How do you see the role of these principles in the lives of people facing personal or professional challenges? What learnings, experienced during your own challenges and when starting your entrepreneurial journey, were essential to reevaluate and start again?
For anything you set out to do in life; Giving up should never be an option and the book shows many real stories that make this clear; on my journey I never had a plan B; plan B was always to make plan A happen. We often have to change our route and the strategies we are following; but never change the purpose.
Purpose are not formed by the circumstances of life but by your ideals; If God has allowed you to see an attractive vision of the future, you have to believe in that vision, often when we do something that pleases God, we displease the enemy and that is where attacks happen, envy is born from intimacy, in my beginning I received many attacks that I was going to go broke quickly, that my company was bad and small and so many other things and in these moments it is where you have to make a decision between giving up or continuing, between listening to the voice of the world or listening to the voice of God; the choice is in the hands of each individual. I chose to continue, but many people give up because of the criticism they hear from people close to them.
What are the most common challenges people face when trying to rebuild their lives and make a fresh start, and how do you suggest dealing with these difficulties?
From my studies and life examples, the biggest challenge is to have a healthy mind; many people torture themselves with the failures and traumas they have had in life and live the same life, with the same limitations for many, many years; your past may have mistakes and failures but your future is a blank book and taking the attitude of changing life’s dissatisfactions is the first step to building a better life and everything you set out to do, always do to honor the God. I really believe in the power of faith.
Within the context of your book, how would you describe the importance of a positive mindset and long-term vision in overcoming adversity and starting over?
Mental health is fundamental to developing in any area, a negative and pessimistic mind will never build a positive life, life is a constant learning and evolution and going through the process is what guarantees this prepared training in adulthood; Don’t sabotage the processes, only then will you build a strong mentality to deal with these adversities.
In your entrepreneurial journey, what was the most challenging moment you faced and how did you deal with it? What valuable lessons did you take away from this experience?
Without a doubt, it was the pandemic, where I had many, many responsibilities, and we had to continue fighting in this scenario of chaos and uncertainty and in that same period (months later) I lost my mother. But going through the physical, financial and emotional difficulties that I went through at the beginning contributed a lot to my formation as a leader and entrepreneur.
What are the fundamental principles that you believe are essential for someone who wants to start a project from scratch, just like you did with Newcastle at age 24?
Have love and desire for the cause, truly believe in victory, even through some defeats, seek technical knowledge for your business and understand the importance of emotional intelligence as emotional intelligence has a lot to do with faith, vision of life and resilience.
For someone who is going through a difficult time and is looking to get back on their feet, what advice would you give to start a new chapter in life, both personally and professionally?
Humble to learn, faith and build a true relationship with God. There are moments in life when only God can get you out of the hole you are in. Ask a person who has lost a loved one or who has someone they love in the hospital about the power of faith. The miracle is born from adversity, on many occasions my team and I have experienced the miracle of enrollment in very adverse scenarios, but the miracle only happens to those who truly believe in the miracle. Emotional state is much more important than your unity.
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*With Regina Soares