Rui Unas’s trajectory reveals itself as a map of coincidences, internal conflicts and reinventions. Between the weight of a public image and the desire for personal integrity, it was in the theater – in the anonymity of the character – that he found a new form of freedom and emotional balance.
From an early age, Rui Unas knew that neither a nurse nor a physiotherapist was the way to go. A fail in Mathematics led him to repeat the year and gave him time to explore the school’s radio center. “It was all a succession of coincidences, almost as if the universe had pushed me into this area”, he recalls.
Participated in a peddy-paper which took him to Rádio Seixal, took a voiceover course with Carlos Pinto Coelho, joined RTP with the program It happensjoined Sigma 3 and ended up in High Voltage – turning point to abandon journalism and embrace entertainment. Along the way, he was already an actor as a presenter because “presenters are also characters”, he considers.
But this step to fame came with a burden: “I made mythical programs, like Thigh Cabaretbut the presenter who appeared there was very different from me. I was held hostage by this character.”.
With success came doubts and insecurities: the impostor syndrome and the least talked about Elijah complex accompanied him for years. “I should have sought professional help, but out of shame and prejudice I didn’t”, he confesses.
Metanoia and reinvention
- Today, at 51 years old, Rui Unas speaks of “metanoia” as the concept that best defines his current phase: overturning old paradigms, reordering priorities, redefining himself. “I’m in a phase of reinvention. I’m embracing my shadows and integrating things that I previously rejected in myself”;
- This reinvention touched the core of his artistic activity: it was in theater that he found the space to align what he is with what he projects. “I feel like I’m anonymous there, I’m not Rui Unas, I’m the character I’m playing. In theater I feel fulfilled. I earn less, but I gain much more in human connection”;
- For the episode’s protagonist, the stage is a kind of public service: “During that hour and a half, the people who bought tickets are there to feel something. That’s public service.”
Creativity, vulnerability and well-being
- Rui Unas recognizes emotional predispositions: “I have a bit of a tendency to downbut today I can already see the ‘wave’ in the distance.” With that, he began to set up defenses – microhabits that guarantee his mental health: consumption of content that elevates, not disturbs; quality time with people who add value; reading philosophy; meditation and spiritual rapprochement – “before I was a convinced atheist, today I am approaching a Christianity that makes sense to me”;
- Even in difficult times, creativity appears as a valve. “When I did the Thigh Cabaretmy best programs were the ones I was most disturbed by. It was almost a creative rage: ‘Fuck it’.”
Social networks, ego and maturity
- Today seen as an “emotional gym”, social networks are part of Rui Unas’ self-knowledge strategy. Post to provoke, observe reactions, test yourself. “I post a controversial post and see if I can manage not to get upset. Sometimes I just reply ‘you’re right’ and it disarms those who insult me”;
- He was the target of many epithets: “They call me everything: ‘clown’, ‘leftist’, ‘fascist’. When you choose the middle path, you take it from everyone”. But today, he puts it into better perspective: “I forget criticism, sometimes unintentionally, it’s an advantage of age”;
- Regarding younger people, he admits: “They have energy, but not maturity.” The ego, he says, is more out of control at this stage. He himself works to tame this ego: “When the ego is out of control, many problems arise.”
Today, Rui Unas says he feels lighter, more whole. “I feel more at peace and I think that’s true mental well-being.” He admits that the journey continues, but acceptance of himself is what balances him the most. “Assuming that we are volatile is, for me, a reason to be okay. I’m not always brave, and there’s no harm in that.”
Every two weeks, until November 25th, each episode of “Por ti” invites reflection on mental well-being, bringing solid and inspiring conversations, which will contribute to broadening and deepening the dialogue on this topic in society.
This project is supported by sponsors, with all content created, edited and produced by Expresso (see Code of Conduct), without external interference.
The post “I learned to embrace my shadows”: Rui Unas talks about mental well-being and emotional maturity appeared first on Veritas News.
