L҉O҉R҉E҉N҉Z҉O҉

September 2022. I moved to London with two suitcases and a restless mind. I had left Bournemouth feeling stuck and without purpose. I didn’t truly know specialty coffee — I just knew that if I wanted more, I had to face a bigger stage. One month later, I competed at @sca_uk Latte Art Championship. I placed last. Weak basics. No complex latte art. No consistency. Just courage. The result reflected the preparation. It hurt — but it was real. When it ended, something began. I invested money I didn’t have. Trusted the wrong guidance. Hit the bottom — broke, disappointed, angry. That became my foundation. So I chose a different standard. Online training with a retired World champion. 3:30am alarms. Practice before shifts. Practice after closing. First in. Last out. Quit my job right before the competition. No excuses. 2023–2024: Finals. 5th in the UK. Then life tested me again. Working in chaos that killed focus. Jobless at one point. I didn’t complete the next season. From the outside, it looked like a step back. Inside, it was growth. 1to1 with an Italian Champion. Masterclass with the Chinese Champion. Advanced online training. Then China — 1to1 with the reigning world champion. Pressure. Expectations. Evolution. 2025–2026. I wasn’t chasing approval anymore. I was at peace. Changing jobs made me adaptable. Elite training sharpened my mind and skills. Repetition built confidence. Hospitality became my edge. The fire never stopped. When I stepped on that stage again, I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I was ready. 2022–2023: Last 2023–2024: 5th 2024–2025: Not completed 2025–2026: UK Champion 🏆 Not everyone celebrates your rise. That’s fine. But if my journey bothers you, it probably means it moved you. I choose to focus on the love, the growth, and the fire that still burns. This is only the beginning. Stay insp. #winnermentality #champion #coffee

🇭🇰

Thank you Shenzhen 🇨🇳 @calico_coffee_uk #coffee

Hong Kong 🇭🇰 A few weeks ago we were competing on the world stage in San Diego. Now we’re in Hong Kong, standing side by side on the bar. Met the best latte artist in Hong Kong @barista_ahze and one of the best in the world. We poured a few cups together, kept it simple, and exchanged some thoughts. I really appreciate the time he took to come and see me, and the few tips he shared. This is what it’s about. I take that feedback seriously, and I’ll work on it. ☕🔥 Photos by @coffeewithgeof 📸 #LatteArt #HongKong #WLAC #Coffee

🇭🇰 #hongkong

🇭🇰

A privilege that turned into reality. Being behind the bar at Intro Coffee is something I don’t take lightly. This moment came through a special collaboration, a week-long bar takeover made possible by @calico_coffee_uk , and I’m truly honoured to have been part of it. What makes it even crazier… this is my third time in China in just 6 months. And every single trip has shaped me in ways I didn’t expect. From competing for the first time and being part of one of the best coffee festivals in the world, to spending three intense days in a masterclass with a world champion just a few weeks ago… and now working behind the bar here in Shenzhen, this feels like a real milestone. This journey is built on love for what I do, but also on mindset, hard work, and kindness. Things that don’t always show on the surface, but make all the difference over time. More than anything, these experiences gave me perspective. You can’t fully understand Asian coffee culture from the outside. You have to live it. And the more time I spend here, the more I realise the level they operate at, not just in coffee, but in everything they do. Precision, discipline, consistency… it’s on another level. At the same time, this journey is helping me understand even more my barista mates back in London, their dedication, their passion, their care, and their skills are far beyond normal. Being here makes me respect even deeper what we build every day on our side of the world. As a European, earning trust here isn’t something that just comes your way. It has to be proven. That’s why being trusted behind their bar, especially in a place where latte art is arguably at the highest level in the world, means everything to me. A special thank you to Ben and the whole team for trusting my skills and giving me this opportunity. But it’s not over yet. Next stop: For now, a day to reset, recharge… and get ready to give my best again at the Shenzhen Coffee Festival. #specialtycoffee #latteart #coffeeculture #baristalife #china

Eu vivo depressa em outro nível.. Só o impossível me interessa.. Sigo invicto, invicto.

🇨🇳

🇺🇸

Not everything is about the score, and not everyone wants to see you win. But none of that moves me. This game isn’t about making something pretty for Instagram. It’s about going through pressure, mistakes, breakdowns, and standing on stage anyway. My performance was compromised by something I overlooked and everything went into chaos. But here’s the reality, even with that, I’m right behind people who’ve been on this stage for years, studying with top champions. That tells me a lot. I’ve invested my time, my money, and my energy with the right people. And in the past few months, my knowledge has grown exponentially. I haven’t even had the time yet to fully put it all into practice. This experience gave me exactly what I was missing, inspiration, clarity, and a deeper understanding of the game. Those tough moments? That’s what shapes a winner. So there’s no frustration from my side, on the contrary, I’m grateful I experienced this in my first world championship. Now I know. And you can be sure, the next one will be different. I know where I stand. I know where I’m going. The mindset is mine. The belief is mine. And the work doesn’t stop here. The road is long — but I’m built for it. ⚔️ @worldcoffeechampionships @worldofcoffeeusa