My name is Caio Henrique de Oliveira Santana, I’m 21 years old. Born and raised in Ji-Paraná, Rondônia, far from the big tech hubs, and that shaped the way I solve problems. Many times, I had to figure things out on my own because opportunities around here were rare.

Teenage years were tough, beyond the usual challenges everyone goes through. Between 14 and 20, I fought two cancers in a row. Everything happened really fast: hospitals became routine, and discipline stopped being a choice, it was survival.

In the second treatment, I received a bone marrow transplant from my brother, a gift that changed everything. I came out of that stage even more stubborn about not giving up. From that point on, things finally started to move forward.

Even with gaps left by school math, technology always called me. Being self-taught in programming became a passion: hours spent building, breaking, and fixing projects. Learning by doing became my default for anything related to code.

I focus on what really matters: the fundamentals of computer science. For me, a solid foundation comes before frameworks, and that mindset guides every project I work on.

At BuscaSim, working full-stack taught me a lot about scalability. I built features that actually moved metrics: an A/B testing engine with flow-based logic, giving the company more flexibility, and an API integration layer handling multiple external services with the Strategy Pattern. Seeing real user impact teaches responsibility in a way pure theory never does.

Today I’m pursuing a Computer Science degree and filling in the gaps from those “lost” years. I try to focus on the core areas of tech, the basics that most frameworks try to abstract away more and more. I’m doing this because I want a truly solid base, and honestly, I really enjoy it too.

Deep down, I’m still obsessed with games. I once wanted to be a pro player in CS:GO or Fortnite, but… it didn’t happen. Still, that competitive spirit migrated to code. I take programming seriously: constant practice, continuous improvement, always looking for the next step.

Today I balance work, studies, and physical recovery. I stick to a steady routine of training, nutrition, and sleep. No extremes, just consistency. Every day I move a little further, whether at the gym, in books, or hands-on practice.

In the end, my story isn’t just about stack or being some kind of code genius. It’s about stubbornness and refusing to stay down. I’m simply obsessed with what I do, and that’s what’s been pushing me this far. Of course, this is only the first chapter.

I hope this piece of my story inspires you in some way.
— All the best, Caio Henrique.