**I’m Leaving**
The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the empty roads of Slovenia. Tadej Pogačar stood at the edge of a familiar trail, a place where he had raced through countless sunrises and pushed his limits against the rugged landscape. But today, the vibrant hues felt muted, overshadowed by a heavy weight in his chest.
He inhaled deeply, the scent of pine mingling with the distant sound of chirping birds. It was a peaceful scene, yet chaos swirled inside him. Cycling had been his life—his passion, his identity—but lately, the thrill had faded. The pressure to perform, the scrutiny of the media, and the expectations of fans had morphed into a suffocating cloud.
Tadej had always been a champion, a prodigy on two wheels. From the first time he rode a bike, he knew he was destined for greatness. The world had watched him conquer mountains, break records, and claim victories that seemed almost mythical. Yet, the louder the cheers grew, the quieter his heart became.
He pulled out his phone and opened his notes app. He had spent the last week crafting a message, rehearsing it in his mind. The words had come to him in fragments, but now they flowed together with clarity.
“I’m leaving.”
Those two words felt monumental. With a swipe of his finger, he typed out the rest. He wanted to express his gratitude, the lessons learned, the friendships forged, but most importantly, he needed to convey his need for peace. This sport, once a source of joy, had become a relentless grind.
Tadej hit send and stared at the screen, the silence around him amplifying the decision he had just made. He could already envision the reactions—surprise, disappointment, perhaps even anger. But deep down, he knew it was time to reclaim his life.
As he stood there, a gust of wind rustled through the trees, almost as if nature was offering its blessing. He took one last look at the road that had defined him for so long, then turned away, a sense of lightness washing over him.
With each pedal stroke, he felt a weight lift. He rode not toward a finish line but toward a horizon filled with uncertainty and possibility. No longer a cyclist, but just Tadej, a man seeking something beyond the podiums and the pressures.
The mountains stood tall in the distance, and he felt a spark of hope igniting within him. Life awaited beyond the confines of competition—adventures, passions, dreams long forgotten. Today, he wasn’t leaving behind a career; he was stepping into a new beginning.
And as the sun dipped below the horizon, he smiled, knowing he had made the right choice.