Today we’d like to introduce you to Elisa Clozel Del Nero
Hi Elisa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in a small city in Brazil called Itatiba, in the state of São Paulo. My family includes me, Elisa (20), my mom Ana (56), my dad Renato (63), my sister Sofia (27), and our two dogs, Negroni and Otto. My mom used to be a Portuguese teacher, but after she retired—right after my dad’s car accident that left him paraplegic—she started her own party decorating business. My dad is a OB-GYN, and my sister works in advertising at TikTok.
When I was about one and a half, my mom enrolled me in my first school, Colégio Next, a K-12 school. I stayed there until I was 17, going into my senior year. Spending my whole school life with the same people made me want a change, so I decided to finish high school in the U.S. through a student exchange program.
My sister had done the same program a few years before, and after hearing her talk about how much it helped her grow, I decided to give it a shot too. Since I’m a pretty shy person, my mom was worried I’d have trouble making friends or wouldn’t get along with my host family. But as soon as I arrived, those fears went away. Honestly, it’s a bit of a gamble—you never know what kind of host family you’ll get—but I got really lucky with the best family in Fort Collins, Colorado. I made so many great memories during those 10 months with my “mom” Angie Davis (56), “dad” Chris Davis, “sister” Lauren Davis (19), “grandma” Sue, and the smartest dog ever, Loki.
When my program ended, I returned to Brazil. Coming home after being away from my family for so long was one of the best feelings I’ve ever experienced. However, I was also conflicted because I had fallen in love with the life I had in the U.S. After many discussions, college applications, and spending only a short month with my family, I returned to America to pursue a degree in Marine Biology at Louisiana State University. Looking back, I realize I was a bit impulsive. I was blinded by the idea that I could replicate my Fort Collins experience. Boy, was I wrong.
For the first time, I was living on my own, and it was tough being away from my family again. I also realized that starting college in a brand-new place where I didn’t know anyone would be harder than I expected. Still, I pushed through, made a few friends, joined the LSU Women’s Rugby team, and slowly adjusted.
When winter break came, I had to choose between going home to Brazil or spending it with my former host family in Colorado. I decided to go back to Colorado, thinking it would make me happy—and it did, for a while. But when I returned to college, I started to realize how much I missed my family and how hard it was to be away from them.
I stuck it out until summer break, but by then, I was feeling conflicted. I had two choices: go back to LSU or stay in Brazil and study here. On top of that, I wasn’t even sure I wanted to continue studying Marine Biology anymore.I’ve always had two passions: sports—I’ve been a tennis player since the age of six—and the ocean, which I’ve loved since childhood. After long conversations with my parents and sister, I decided to stay in Brazil and pursue a degree in Journalism.
It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. Honestly, I’ve never loved living in Brazil, especially in a small town where everyone knows each other. I always felt like I couldn’t fully be myself. Living in the U.S. gave me a kind of freedom I’d never experienced before. But I transferred to ESPM (Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing) in São Paulo (aka the NYC of Brazil). Funny enough it’s the same college where my sister got her degree in Publicity and Advertising a few years back.
At first, I was really nervous. I was scared I wouldn’t like it and worried I’d regret not going back to the U.S. But now, I know I made the right choice. I’ve met amazing people who’ve become some of my closest friends, and I’m so happy to be near my family and dogs again.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, no—it hasn’t been a smooth road, especially when it comes to women’s sports.
One of the most challenging aspects has been staying motivated and believing in the work I’m doing, even when tangible results aren’t immediately visible. It can be discouraging at times, but I’ve come to understand that creating meaningful change is a long and steady journey. The lack of visibility for women’s soccer in Brazil was a significant hurdle, and it’s actually what inspired me to create Giro na Rede. My goal has always been to amplify the women’s game, and while the road is far from easy, it’s a cause I’m deeply passionate about and committed to.
We’ve been impressed with Giro na Rede , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
After returning to Brazil from living in the U.S., I was struck by how little visibility women’s soccer has here, even though Brazil is often celebrated as the “land of football.” The disparity was glaring. While I knew there was still progress to be made for women’s soccer in the U.S., the level of support and recognition there was far greater than what I saw in Brazil. This realization motivated me to take action and become part of the solution.
Fortunately enough the university that I transferred here in Brazil, offers extracurricular programs for journalism students, and one of them focused on the business side of journalism. That program turned out to be a pivotal moment for me—it gave me the tools and perspective I needed to think more strategically about how I could make an impact in a field I’m so passionate about and it gave me a wonderful Professor named Patricia Gil who was my guid during the program.
I had always craved a space where I could engage with others who were equally passionate and well-informed about women’s soccer. However, such spaces were practically nonexistent, which left me feeling frustrated yet determined. So, instead of waiting for opportunities, I decided to create my own. That’s how the idea of starting an Instagram profile was born.
The goal was simple but meaningful: to provide a platform where I could share commentary, insights, data, and interesting facts about women’s soccer, both in Brazil and internationally. I wanted to highlight not just the games but the stories, players, and leagues that often go unnoticed. It was a way to amplify the conversation around women’s soccer and contribute to the visibility that it so desperately needs.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was always a shy kid who often felt like I didn’t quite fit in at school. My shyness made it challenging to form many friendships, but in a way, it also helped me discover my own passions. While I may not have always felt a sense of belonging in the classroom, sports were always there to provide a sense of purpose and connection. I started playing tennis when I was about six years old, and it quickly became a way for me to express myself, build confidence, and create lasting memories.
The things I was interested in as a child—sports, the ocean, animals, and movies—are still the things I love today. Each of these interests continues to shape my world, whether it’s through the way I engage with sports today or my ongoing fascination with the natural world and storytelling. These passions have stayed with me, offering a sense of consistency and joy throughout the years.
But the thing I hold most dear from my childhood is the strong bond I have with my family. We’ve always been incredibly close, and that connection goes beyond just my immediate family; it extends to my entire extended family as well. The love, support, and sense of togetherness that I’ve experienced within my family have been the foundation of who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giro_na_rede/
Image Credits
Personal photo – Christopher Davis
Family photo – Thomas Brotti
