Zoe
Barossi

São Paulo → Berlin

I was born in Los Angeles. When I was four my parents were in the process of divorcing, so we moved to São Paulo, where both of them and my brother came from — that's where I grew up. Brazilian with Italian roots. My home was loud, chaotic, and also complicated. Love has always been there, that's for sure. I studied psychology, trained as a psychodrama therapist. I wanted to understand people. Maybe I wanted to understand myself. That's what people say, right?

At 21 I packed a backpack and traveled through Europe for seven months. Alone. 17 countries. It was the first time I really felt who I am without my surroundings. Then back to Brazil. Then away again — I went back to Copenhagen where I fell in love during my long trip. 7 months spent there, studying Danish and Psychology. I wouldn't change that experience for anything.

"Moving continents, being away from family, experiencing a start to a new decade from the other side of the world."

It was October 2019 when I came to Berlin. I had to leave Brazil — this wasn't a trip, it was a decision, a decision which took me almost a lifetime to make. 100 EUR in my pocket, two heavy suitcases and strong and important emotional support from my parents. I joined N26, a German neobank. Customer support. The very bottom. Sunday shifts at 7am. I worked my way up. Today I'm a project manager. Full-time. Still.

Berlin didn't become home overnight. It happened piece by piece. Friends who became family. I celebrated my 30th birthday the way I wanted: camping with 16 friends in the north of Berlin. I also had to finish my business case for the project manager position I was applying for. I was focused and I knew that I would be chosen.

"I kept it going, strong and faithful. It's another start."

The Transformation

I've always been athletic — handball, ballet, jazz, tango, swimming, yoga, muay thai… I've experienced a lot. It was around 2021/2022 though when I got serious at the gym. I was struggling with anxiety and needed somebody to look after me, after my training and nutrition plan. Somebody that I trusted to be professional and could be there for me, everyday. I was lucky enough to find Miguel through Instagram. A golden pot — such a great fitness coach, guiding me towards my goals and believing in me. He made me feel grounded, present and held.

Then anemia hit. My body broke down. Two flights of stairs, heart rate at 180. I could barely do the simple. Me, who used to train every day, couldn't even walk to work without being completely wrecked afterwards.

Recovery took months. Started to take iron pills, continued to eat well. I didn't stop. I started running. One kilometer at first. Then two. In July 2022, my first 10k in Berlin — the ARCN race. I don't remember my last run at that distance, I just know it was ages ago.

"This race has a huge meaning for me. Its completion represents my recovery from anemia, from the time I couldn't go up 2 flights of stairs without my heart beating 180bpm."

That wasn't just a run. That was proof. Proof that my body belongs to me. That I come back stronger.

The Half Marathon

April 2023. Berlin Half Marathon. My first big race, my first 21km ever. 6 months of preparation. The nerves before. The excitement. And then the day itself. I ran for my mom, who was fighting leukemia and was far away from me. Physically.

21 kilometers through my city. Through Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Mitte. People on the sidelines screaming. The energy — indescribable.

"I was running on clouds and absorbed by all my excitement, tears, dopamine, serotonin, cheering crowd and the strongest positive energy."

"From that point on I knew nothing could take me off the track. Literally! Determined, focused and fck excited!"

At the finish line I cried. Not because it hurt. Because I understood: my body can do more than my mind believes. From that point on, there was no going back.

The Leap

Mom couldn't hold on anymore, she was tired and left us in November 2023. I spent 2.5 months going to the hospital 3x a day, between remote work, European shifts starting at 4:30am, in parallel also taking care of my grandma and doing my best to keep my center, to continue living and loving myself — understanding its importance. I couldn't stop. The sense of urgency, meaning of time and priority shifted drastically. The experience of death confirmed to me I don't want to wait for 'when it's time' — what does that even mean? When is it 'time' if not now? I want to keep pursuing my dreams, exactly how my mom told me: courage, faith and determination.

September 2024. My first triathlon. Hannover Volkstriathlon, sprint distance. I had registered without even having a bike. One month of training — Rafa Turtera, another golden pot, my coach. Swimming, cycling, running — three sports combined in one race.

"It was insanely fantastic, it was a milestone! I want more."

And I wanted more. Immediately. Everything.

That's when it got serious. 5am alarm. First session before work. Second session for lunch. Sometimes cycling outdoors, when the sun is shining, and sometimes at home, when it's too windy and time is not enough — Zwift sessions, alone, drenched in sweat, in my living room. Training, training, training. Always forward and consistent.

May 2025: First Olympic race — 5150 Kraichgau. 6th in age group. 2:52:57.

"I always cry at the finish line, it's so much hard work put into it, I get deeply emotional and proud of myself. VAMOOOOO!"

July 2025: WTCS Hamburg, another Olympic. 7th in age group. 2:36:49.

"My jump at the finish line replaces all possible captions — WHAT A DAY! UNSTOPPABLE."

September 2025: 70.3 Ironman Emilia Romagna, Cervia. My first half Ironman. 35°C. Dehydrated from km 50 on the bike, still 40km to go. Headache. Nausea. I could barely think. And still — still I had 21km ahead of me and I did it. That was the only option, even though the will to give up accompanied me for those 2 hours. I wanted that medal so bad!

"35°C on my head, dehydration already at km 50 on the bike, with a headache and sickness that somehow brought me to the finish line."

From the first sprint to 70.3 Ironman in one year. Alongside a full-time job, cleaning, cooking, socializing (not that much), planning and packing for the next days — that's a hell of a task.

"~15h of training per week, + work and housework, + social life >> it's an everyday decision that I make, setting it as my priority. VAMOOOOO!"

Nice 2026

April 2026: Qualification in Brasília. Back in my country, close to my family, lifelong friends, for the biggest race of my life — the 70.3 Brasília. Then Ironman World Championship Nice. I will be qualified, and if not, I'm doing everything I can that is under my control. The goal everything is building towards. Every hour on the bike, every kilometer in the water, every run in the dark before sunrise.

Four Languages

Portuguese. English. German. Italian. Not because it looks good on a resume — but because through languages I learn more about how people think. What's funny is that every language is a different version of me. In Portuguese I'm expressive and soft. In English direct and clear. In Italian loud and dramatic. In German? Well, it's a constant learning and I still struggle sometimes. But I like to fight.

"From mountains and lakes to techno parties and dance — that's all within my life range."