Eduardo Felisberto, from Brazil, arrived at Cumorah Academy with quiet determination and a strong work ethic. He joined the campus during the Winter Semester of 2023, without fully realizing how deeply that decision would shape his future.
What began as an academic step quickly became a personal transformation.
His story invites a question many young adults wrestle with at some point in life.
Is it really possible to change yourself?
For some people, change feels exciting. It represents growth, new meaning, and the chance to discover parts of themselves they have never explored. For others, change feels uncomfortable or even risky. Staying where things feel familiar can seem safer, even when it leads to frustration or stagnation.
Books, podcasts, and mentors have explored change for decades. They offer guidance on habits, mindset, and discipline. Yet real change only happens when ideas turn into daily action.
Growth begins when intention meets commitment.
Why So Many Young Adults Are Searching for Direction
Students from all over the world come to Cumorah Academy with different backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences. Yet they share one powerful desire.
They want their lives to move forward.
Many arrive with clear dreams but feel blocked by uncertainty, fear, or a lack of direction. The modern world often sends discouraging messages, especially to young adults who feel pressure to have everything figured out early.
At Cumorah Academy, students encounter something different.
- A place filled with light and encouragement
- A community that believes in growth
- An environment built on hope and purpose
Our Christ-centered campus creates space for reflection, learning, and action. Students are challenged to grow while being supported every step of the way.
Personal Growth for Young Adults Starts With Identity
Before starting something new, students at Cumorah Academy are encouraged to ask a simple but powerful question.
Who do I need to become to achieve what I want?
The way you speak to yourself shapes the way you act. Author Ali Abdaal teaches that identity-based habits can transform long-term behavior. When your goals align with who you believe you are, progress feels natural.
For example:
- Instead of saying, “I want to start a business”
- You begin saying, “I am an entrepreneur”
That small shift changes your decisions, discipline, and confidence.
Eduardo arrived with this mindset already forming. Before coming to Cumorah Academy, he worked in customer support. While it offered experience, it lacked stability and growth. At the same time, he was completing his BYU Pathway studies and preparing to continue at BYU Idaho.
What he wanted most was focus, structure, and clarity.
Learning Leadership Through Personal Growth for Young Adults
During the Winter 2023 semester, Eduardo studied Leadership and Business & Entrepreneurship. One-on-one mentoring became one of the most meaningful parts of his experience.
Each class offered new insight, especially lessons focused on:
- Accountability
- Continuous learning
- Personal responsibility
Leadership stopped being a concept and became a daily practice.
Because the campus is rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Eduardo felt at home from the beginning. Having served a mission in South Africa, he understood the power of faith, integrity, and service.
These values shaped both his education and his character.
When asked what made the biggest difference, Eduardo shared a simple truth.
Being intentional.
Once you decide to grow, momentum begins to build. Each step forward creates clarity and confidence.
Growth always starts with a decision.
How Growth at Cumorah Academy Shapes Life Beyond Campus
Cumorah Academy reinforced an essential lesson for Eduardo.
- You are responsible for your growth
- You have ownership over your actions
- Progress begins with accountability
These principles stayed with him long after the semester ended.
After completing the program, Eduardo got married. He quickly noticed how the leadership skills he developed strengthened his role as a husband. Growth did not stay in the classroom.
It became part of his daily life.
He later joined ZIVA from the very beginning, helping others secure better job opportunities and build stronger careers. In doing so, he began giving back what he once received.
Eduardo’s journey shows that personal growth for young adults is not about becoming someone else. It is about becoming who you were always capable of being.
If you are searching for direction, clarity, or confidence, you are not alone. Whether you want to start a business, discover your talents, or build a meaningful future, growth begins with the environment you choose.
Cumorah Academy offers a three-month experience focused on leadership, faith, and real life growth. If Eduardo’s story resonates with you, this may be your next step.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
If Eduardo’s story resonated with you, it may connect to questions you are already asking about your future.
Clarity, direction, and purpose do not appear by accident.
Growth requires intention and the right environment.
Cumorah Academy offers a three-month experience focused on leadership, faith, mentorship, and practical preparation for life. Students develop skills, confidence, and perspective that carry far beyond the campus.
Apply to Cumorah Academy and begin shaping the future you want to build.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
