The Fuck-It Rule: Lessons from a Brazilian English Teacher Who Built His Freedom Online
From teaching on italki to planning a language community across continents — a raw Q&A about mistakes, reinvention, and why “fuck it” might be the most productive phrase in your vocabulary.
☕ The Hook
I met Yuri on italki a few years ago. He was that kind of teacher who didn’t just correct your grammar — he challenged your mindset.
When we reconnected recently, I found out he’d left online teaching for a restaurant job in Spain — and called it “a big mistake.” Now he’s back, building a smarter business, and preaching a philosophy that every freelancer, digital nomad, and burnout survivor needs to hear.
Here’s the unfiltered conversation.
“You Can’t Build Freedom Working in a Kitchen”
Q: So I tried to book a lesson with you, but it wasn’t available. What’s your hustle right now?
A: It’s been three months since I moved to the EU. After six years of teaching online, I thought, “Let me try something new.” So I went into the hotel-restaurant business in Mallorca.
Big. Mistake.
It was stressful, low-paying, physically draining. I thought I’d make more money — I didn’t. Now I’m back in Portugal, getting ready to teach again and launch a new project.
If I’d been smarter, I’d never have left teaching. What I was making in Brazil could’ve supported me here just fine.
“Sometimes Opportunities Just Fall in Your Lap”
Q: How did your teaching journey start? Accident or plan?
A: Total accident. During COVID, I’d just come back from two years in New Zealand. I met an English woman who taught online. She told me, “You could do this too.”
At first, I thought you needed a degree or a contract. Nope. I took TEFL and CELTA courses, applied to italki — that’s where we met — and started getting private students.
One job led to another, and suddenly I was teaching full time. Sometimes you don’t “find” your path — it finds you while you’re drinking coffee.
“Charisma Pays Better Than Grammar”
Q: italki’s super competitive. How did you stand out?
A: At first, I made about $600 a month in Brazil — enough to live independently. But then I realized: teaching isn’t about perfection; it’s about connection.
Students don’t just want grammar. They want someone who listens, someone they can talk to. I became their English coach, not just their teacher.
That’s when my income jumped to $1,000–$2,000 a month.
Charisma and genuine communication — that’s what wins.
The Fuck-It Philosophy
Q: You work with people all over the world. How do you handle tough clients?
A: With honesty and boundaries. If it’s not a mutual exchange, I end it.
Some students bring their own materials and methods, and I just ask, “If you already have a system, why do you need me?”
Once, I had a narcissistic student — zero empathy, no connection. I told him, “This isn’t working,” and helped him find another teacher. Honesty builds better endings.
Q: So if you ever quit teaching, what would you do instead?
A: I’m split between art and business.
I love film and music — but I also love building communities. Right now, I’m launching a platform where teachers can teach English and Portuguese, and where travelers can learn how to actually live in Brazil — legally, confidently, with support.
Lawyers, language, lifestyle — all in one ecosystem.
That’s the plan.
“Success = Fulfilled Dreams + Freedom”
Q: What’s success for you?
A: Fulfilling your dreams and helping others do the same.
Money matters — it’s freedom fuel. I want enough to travel, help my family, and not worry about bills. But real success is knowing your work actually helped people grow.
“Motivation Fades. Discipline Doesn’t.”
Q: What keeps you going when motivation disappears?
A: Discipline.
Motivation is like caffeine — it spikes and crashes.
Discipline stays.
I admire athletes and musicians for that reason. They show up every day, good mood or bad. They do it because of the dream — or because they don’t want to let themselves down.
That’s me: just do the work. Every day.
“When Things Get Toxic, I Just Say Fuck It.”
Q: Ever burned out?
A: Not really. Because when it gets toxic, I say fuck it.
I don’t do disrespect. I don’t do chaos that eats my peace.
When I worked in restaurants, I hit that point where I’d just walk away. Sometimes literally. That’s my mental health strategy: know when to say no — and mean it.
Freedom isn’t quitting everything. It’s knowing when to walk away.
Rebuild, Rest, Repeat
Q: Advice for someone who’s burned out or lost?
A: Start simple: sleep earlier, eat real food, move your body.
If you’re just tired, rest.
If you’re lost, talk to people.
If you’re being mistreated — reinvent yourself.
Don’t lose your mind or relationships over someone else’s dream.
If you’re lost, talk to people.
If you’re being mistreated — reinvent yourself.
Don’t lose your mind or relationships over someone else’s dream.
Courage changes everything.
Q: How many hours do you work?
A: Teaching? Around 25–30 hours a week. When building my own materials or projects? Up to 60.
But I’m obsessed with leverage.
If I can do in 15 hours what others do in 50 — I’ll do that. Then I’ll pay someone to do the rest.
Q: How do you recharge?
A: Quiet.
Time alone. Time with my girlfriend. Reading. Massage. Good food. A glass of wine.
And, crucially — turn off your phone. It’s the most dangerous psychological experiment ever created.
We forgot how to not be reachable. Silence is underrated therapy.
Money: The 30% Rule
Q: What’s the best financial advice you’ve ever followed?
A: Live on 30% of what you make.
If you can’t, 40%.
That covers rent, food, survival. The rest? Save and invest.
I did that — lived lean, invested the rest. S&P 500, solid companies, long-term. Forget day trading. Buy and hold for ten years. That’s how capitalism rewards patience.
When Trump got elected and markets crashed, I bought Nvidia and Microsoft. Look at them now.
You don’t get rich from timing the market — you get rich by staying in it.
“Freedom = Discipline + Courage”
Q: Final thought?
A: Build systems. Build stamina. Build peace.
Don’t chase hype — chase alignment.
Don’t wait for motivation — create structure.
And when things stop making sense — say fuck it and start again.
Don’t wait for motivation — create structure.
And when things stop making sense — say fuck it and start again.
🔥 Takeaway: You don’t need to quit everything to feel free. You just need the courage to call bullshit when you see it — and the discipline to keep showing up after.
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