My journey with Veeam began in 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, a time filled with uncertainty, challenges, and a lot of learning. Troubleshooting and analysis weren’t easy at first, but something quickly stood out to me: the Veeam Community.
A space where experienced professionals shared knowledge generously and newcomers like me could grow by learning from real-world experiences. I started quietly, absorbing everything I could, and eventually felt the desire to give back. Helping others who faced the same difficulties I once did became a natural part of my routine.
One moment that really moved my story forward was when Christian invited me to write posts for his blog. That opportunity boosted my confidence, helped me grow faster, and brought me closer to community members I deeply admired, including the Veeam 100, which slowly became a personal dream.
Coming from the outskirts of Belo Horizonte, I’ve always valued every step of my journey. Some people doubted me along the way, said I was aiming too high, but I stayed focused, with discipline, faith, and consistency. And that mindset eventually led to one of the most meaningful days of my life.
On August 8th, 2025, the day of my wedding, I received an email saying I had been selected as a Veeam Legend. In a year marked by personal challenges and surgeries in my family, that message felt like a moment of light and recognition. I’ll never forget it.
A few days later, another email arrived: my invitation to the Veeam 100 Summit in Prague. My first time on an airplane, my first international trip, and traveling alone. It was exciting, overwhelming, and unforgettable.
Arriving in Prague and the impact of the experience
When I landed in Prague, I was already emotional just seeing how far this journey had taken me. And the first people I met were the Brazilian members of the Veeam 100, who welcomed me with warmth, humor, and support. They helped me navigate everything — which was especially important since I was completely lost during those first hours of international travel!
Inside the Summit, every conversation, handshake, and introduction showed how global and united the Veeam community really is. I connected with people from all over the world, shared experiences, made friends, and saw firsthand how the community’s strength goes far beyond technology.
The sessions that shaped my experience
One session that immediately grabbed my attention was SureBackup, clear, well-structured, and straight to the point. It was a great way to start the Summit.
But the session that impacted me the most was “Welcome to Ransomware Negotiation”, presented by Edwin Weijdema.
His real-world examples, practical scenarios, and the way he guided the audience through the complexity of ransomware negotiation completely expanded my understanding of security and incident response. That session alone would have been worth the trip.
What stayed with me
Among so many positive experiences, the one that marked me the most was the feeling of belonging. Being there, participating actively, meeting people I had followed for years, representing my story and my roots, all of that showed me that believing in myself, even when others didn’t, was the right choice.
The Veeam 100 community has something truly unique: it is not about competition. It is about collaboration, friendship, and shared growth. It’s a place where people genuinely want to see you evolve.
What I’m taking with me and how I’ll apply it
I returned from Prague with:
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new technical insights,
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ideas to apply in customer environments,
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a deeper understanding of security and data protection,
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more confidence to create content and support others,
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and friendships I will carry for life.
This experience didn’t just bring professional knowledge, it brought a broader understanding of my own journey. Coming from the outskirts of Belo Horizonte, reaching the Veeam 100 and attending the Summit in Prague is something I carry with pride, but above all, with gratitude.
If I could leave one piece of advice for anyone hoping to join the program, it would be this:
contribute, stay consistent, share what you know, participate in the community, and never underestimate the impact of small actions. Someone is always learning from you.
And of course, believe in your own path, even when others don’t.
And thanks for the awesome swag, a great reminder of an unforgettable Summit.
Especial thanks to
