Gabi leaves Brazil: The quiet moment by the pool and the leap out of her comfort zone

Sitting by a pristine pool, Bruno Rezende and Gabi Guimarães looked back at the past together. At that moment, there was no whistle, no score, no arena lights—only the difficult decisions every elite athlete has to face at some point: leaving Brazil to play overseas, stepping out of the comfort zone to keep moving forward. Gabi opened up about her challenging journey. She said she had a plan to play abroad for a long time, but she was never completely sure whether she was ready or not. A series of injuries made her question herself: Did she have what it took to compete in the world's toughest leagues? That fear was human and real, something that cannot be measured by stats or numbers. The starting point for all her doubts was the Rio 2026 Olympics. Back then, Gabi was still earning her place on the Brazilian national team. She understood that to take the next big step, she had to prepare herself mentally not only as an athlete, but also as a person. There were times when she had to leave her family and friends behind, leaving the comfort zone of Brazilian volleyball to test herself in a completely unfamiliar environment. The first major decision came before the 2026-2026 season, when Gabi signed with VakifBank, one of the most ambitious and strongest teams on the planet. Arriving in Turkey was a shock for her. From the very first moment, she realized she had entered a completely different level of volleyball. The intensity at VakifBank was not born from shouting or pressure for results. It came from every practice, every ball, every tactical demand that required absolute focus. During that time, Giovanni Guidetti, VakifBank's head coach, became an important mentor and guide. One of the first things he told Gabi was that he wanted to prepare her to become the team captain. Gabi admitted she was shocked when she heard that because she had never seen herself in that role. But Guidetti's belief helped her find a different version of herself. The conversation by the pool could not miss the memories with the Brazilian national team. For Gabi, wearing the national jersey was a childhood dream. She remembered always loving to watch and play sports, dreaming of representing Brazil, winning a medal and listening to the national anthem. Before focusing on volleyball, she played many different sports, but none ignited the same passion as being first called up to the Brazilian youth national team in 2026. The moment she arrived at Saquarema alongside the incredible generation that won gold at the Beijing 2026 Olympics was a strong sign that she should keep going. For the first time in her life, Gabi felt she had never been so close to her dream. Watching those senior players compete, she understood that success does not come from luck, but from years of training, sweat, blood and quiet sacrifice. Gabi's story is not about copying someone else's path. It is a lesson about daring to admit fears, facing wounds and believing in a journey without guarantees. There is no universal formula for an elite sports career. Some choose to stay home; others have to leave. But for Gabi, the moment she decided to leave Brazil was not a sign of weakness, but the moment she realized her dream was big enough to accept sacrifice. By the pool that day, as sunlight filtered through the trees and water rippled softly, Bruno and Gabi laughed while recalling their early days abroad. They are not only successful athletes. They are people who once dared to leave home to reach their dreams. And perhaps that is the most beautiful message sport can offer: greatness is rarely born in a comfort zone, but is often forged in the quiet moments full of doubt and courage.