Academic Journey
From an early age, I was captivated by the deeds of great heroes and knights, immersing myself in Nordic sagas and Arthurian romances. This passion led me to delve deeper into chivalric themes and develop a profound love for historical research.
During my time as a student, I became fascinated by two major forces that shaped European history throughout the medieval and modern eras: the emergence of ideas challenging established power structures, and their development within multicultural, multidisciplinary intellectual networks. These interests led me to explore anti-capitalist liberal literature from the late 18th and early 19th centuries, focusing on debates around the impact of industrial capitalism on social structures. A second line of research centers on the origins of chivalry in medieval Europe and its gradual evolution through the Renaissance and into the modern age. Here, I examine how chivalric values influenced new professions—such as the condottiero and the fencing master—tied to the “Art” of arms.
After my Ph.D. studies, I had the opportunity to advance what would become one of my main professional pursuits. In fact, I specialized in language teaching methodologies (Glottodidattica), earning two master’s degrees at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice: one in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language and another in Advanced Teaching Methodology. These studies enabled me to collaborate for over ten years with the University of Catania at the ITALSTRA School of Italian Language and Culture for Foreigners. As an Italian language teacher, I have always embraced a multidisciplinary approach, reflecting the same core themes that guide my research. From a didactic perspective, I focus on leveraging literature and literary traditions as tools for language acquisition within a communicative framework. I also explore Italian history and contemporary events as cultural vehicles for education. Another key area of interest involves applying insights from neuroscience to learning processes, particularly through the integration of “multiple intelligences” in the classroom.
Discovering Historical Fencing
However, my dreams truly came to life when I discovered Historical Fencing. I began studying medieval and Renaissance combat treatises—initially in reenactment contexts—and soon started traveling to explore the vast world of HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts). Through this journey, I began working professionally on showfighting and combat choreography, primarily for medieval-themed performances or small independent productions, gaining over a decade of experience.
In 2017, I was finally able to found, in collaboration with CSEN, the first Historical Fencing salle in Sicily officially recognized by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI): Sala Marea. This setting offered the perfect opportunity to merge my two overarching passions: my role as a coach and posturologist, and my commitment to historical and philosophical research. The techniques passed down by the great Masters of the past truly embody the essence of a functional training approach. Their treatises—originally written for adult practitioners—contained vast physical and biomechanical knowledge aimed at teaching healthy, effective, and harmonious movements, exactly what is needed to maintain a strong body throughout one’s life.
In fact, my journey into functional training began when I worked as a swimming instructor and noticed that swimming alone was not enough to address certain physical and postural challenges. This realization led me to explore the vital role of prevention in improving quality of life and how rehabilitation techniques can be repurposed into training programs that respect the human body and its biological functions. Building on my studies in Posturology and Biomechanics, I focused on two key areas: enhancing quality of life and boosting training effectiveness through a qualitative approach that prioritizes vital functions. My work as a historical fencing master further enriched these efforts, helping me investigate how fencing can improve posture and how functional training can enhance performance in this discipline.
From Coaching to Project Management
Over the years, my career path has steered me toward project management. Through my extensive experience as a university professor, fitness coach, and fencing master, I took on responsibility for multiple projects at the ITALSTRA School of Italian Language and Culture and at Sala Marea. In these roles, I developed essential skills such as focus, determination, perseverance in challenging contexts, problem-solving, and—most importantly—an ongoing commitment to learning and improvement to bolster my knowledge, skills, and expertise. It was precisely this passion for growth that motivated me, during my collaboration with the University of Catania and the historical fencing school I co-founded, to delve into project management. My analysis of the contemporary market increasingly convinced me of the value of a project-based mindset for developing the businesses and institutions I served.
The project management studies I undertook, alongside my professional activities in recent years, have fueled a deep passion for—and commitment to—a leadership style grounded in “influencing without authority” by inspiring and empowering others. I firmly believe this type of leadership is essential for building effective teams and achieving ambitious goals.
Now I find myself in Vancouver, and the story continues…😊