Gabi Guimarães opens up on leaving Brazil: VakifBank was a step out of her comfort zone

By a pristine pool, Bruno and Gabi sat down and talked about the part of an elite athlete’s career that is rarely discussed: the moment they decide to leave home. Gabriela Guimarães did not talk about titles or tactics. She opened up about the time she questioned whether she was truly ready to play volleyball at the highest level. Gabi admitted that playing overseas was always part of her plan, but figuring out if she was ready was not easy. She had dealt with injuries and wondered if she could compete in the world’s best leagues. The idea started growing after the Rio 2026 Olympics, while she was still earning her place with the Brazilian national team. She realized that she had to be mentally ready not only as a player, but as a person, and that she would need to leave her comfort zone and make sacrifices to take the next step. Her first move overseas was a bold one. She signed with Turkish giants VakifBank ahead of the 2026-2026 season, joining one of the strongest teams in the world. Instead of choosing an easier league to adapt, she walked straight into a demanding environment. Gabi described the experience as mind-changing, because from day one she understood she had entered a whole other level of volleyball. It was challenging and demanding, but her relationship with head coach Giovanni Guidetti became crucial. One of the first things Guidetti told her was that he wanted to prepare her to be team captain. Gabi admitted she was shocked because she had never seen herself in that position. That conversation changed how she viewed her own leadership potential. When the topic turned to Brazil’s national team, Gabi recalled her first youth national team call-up in 2026. Being in Saquarema alongside the generation that won Olympic gold in Beijing 2026 was a strong sign that she should continue. It was the closest she had ever felt to her childhood dream. Underneath the inspiring narrative lies a more calculated process. Gabi did not leave Brazil when her body was not ready. She did not pick an easy destination. She chose VakifBank because the club would test every part of her game, from technique to mental strength. Statistics can measure many things, but they cannot measure readiness. The real question Gabi faced was simple: if she left Brazil and failed, could she accept it? Her answer was to build a long-term plan based on self-awareness. The story of Gabi reminds us that leaving a comfort zone is not a magic moment. It is a process shaped by experience, injuries, failures and careful decisions. VakifBank was not her final destination; it was where she learned to become a leader. By the time she arrived in Turkey, she was not just a talented outside hitter. She was an athlete ready to take responsibility. That is why her conversation with Bruno is so valuable. It shows that real growth begins when an athlete stops seeing the world through trophies and starts seeing it through the courage to leave what feels safe. The biggest lesson from their poolside talk is not about what Gabi won abroad. It is about how she chose to confront fear and turn uncertainty into preparation. In elite volleyball, the line between thriving and collapsing is thin. Those who last are the ones who listen to their bodies and minds before making a leap. Gabi Guimarães did exactly that, and her journey will remain a reference for any athlete preparing to leave their comfort zone.