Leonardo grew up in Sorocaba, a city on the outskirts of São Paulo, and first encountered non-standard mathematics through a small school club. That club sparked a passion that carried him to São Paulo for intensive Olympiad training, then around the world as a member of Brazil’s IMO team. He talks about moments of mathematical intensity, friendships formed across borders, and the simple pleasure of returning to Sorocaba for hangouts, ice cream, and warm evenings.

We spoke shortly after he started his first year at École Polytechnique (interview edited for length and clarity):