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After Diagnosis of Depression and Burnout, Mauro and Fabiana Anticipate Life Project, Cross Ten Countries and Discover New Senses to Live
Mauro and Fabiana Koch’s life seemed to follow a quiet script. Established business, well-settled adult children, and a routine that, to many, sounded like a synonym for stability. They themselves described this moment as “all set.” Still, it was precisely in this scenario that the couple from Santa Catarina discovered that depression can settle in silently, even when everything seems in place.
Residents of Jaraguá do Sul, in Northern Santa Catarina, they received the diagnosis of the illness in 2024, accompanied by episodes of burnout.
The impact was profound, but it also became the starting point for a decision that would completely change their lives: to advance a project planned only for their 60s and embark on a year-long journey through ten countries in search of healing, reconnection, and new meanings to exist.
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Larger than Belgium and nestled at the mouth of the Amazon, Marajó Island is a giant that Brazil has forgotten, surrounded by water and energy on all sides, yet still isolated, poor, and dependent on diesel brought by barge.
When The Body Begins to Show Signs
The first to present changes was Mauro. Active, a sports enthusiast, and passionate about activities like surfing and sailing, he began to show a fatigue that didn’t match his essence.
According to Fabiana, there was a moment when her husband simply no longer wanted to get out of bed.
Worried, she suggested that Mauro seek medical help. Soon after, she noticed that the same signs were beginning to appear in her.
With professional support, both received a diagnosis of depression. In Fabiana’s case, the condition was associated with burnout and aggravated by menopause.
Treatment was started, but the couple felt they needed to go beyond traditional protocols. The idea was not to abandon medicine, but to add new experiences that could aid in the emotional recovery process.
A Life Project Advanced Due to Depression
In December 2024, Mauro and Fabiana sold most of their belongings, informed clients that their services would be online, and left with no set date to return.
The trip began in North America, with an extended stay in Canada.
There, they faced temperatures of up to -30 °C and noticed curious changes in their own bodies. Mauro mentions that while in Brazil they usually slept about 7 hours a night, in Canada, they began to sleep an average of 10 hours a day, something that had never happened before.
But one of the most memorable experiences of the journey was the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. The couple walked nearly 800 kilometers in 31 days.
For Fabiana, it’s hard to put into words everything one feels during the journey. Each person creates their own connections and meanings.
They walked together but experienced different learnings. Along the way, they made friends and realized that each saw things that the other did not.
Fabiana also recalls the physical challenges, such as swelling in her feet to the point where she couldn’t see the bone protrusion.
Live as a Local, Not as a Tourist
After the Camino, Mauro and Fabiana continued to countries like Greece and Indonesia. In Bali, they spent three months trying to live as local residents, away from traditional tourism.
The goal, according to Mauro, was to truly learn from the cultures, the people, and the journey.
The journey also included reunions with friends in countries like Germany, Belgium, and the United States, strengthening bonds that gained new meanings.
After a year away, the couple decided to return to Brazil at the end of 2025. Today, they divide their time between Jaraguá do Sul and Barra Velha, on the Northern coast of Santa Catarina, where they chose to simplify their routine and live near the sea.
The mentoring and consulting company remains active, with in-person and online services.
Additionally, the lessons from their travels have begun to be shared in lectures and on a YouTube channel.
The True Legacy of The Journey Motivated by Depression
For Mauro and Fabiana, the greatest legacy is not the list of countries visited, but the clarity about how they want to live moving forward.
They believe that self-knowledge doesn’t necessarily require someone to leave everything behind and travel the world.
According to the couple, each person can live better by paying more attention to themselves and their own routine. Therefore, they encourage the practice of small “pit stops” before the body and mind charge too high a price.
During their time away, personal losses reinforced this urgency. Friends who had plans and desires, but didn’t allow themselves to live, ended up leaving before realizing them.
For Mauro and Fabiana, this awareness changed everything. Living with more purpose and presence has come to be understood as the greatest wealth one can build throughout life.
The information about the couple’s story was published by ND Mais, cited in the credits of the image accompanying the story.
As complementary details, Mauro and Fabiana continue to use their own experiences as a source of inspiration, showing that sometimes changing direction does not mean giving up everything, but choosing to continue living in a more attentive and true way.
With information from ND Mais.
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