People discuss what impacts them.
That includes:
successful people
ambitious people
confident people
people doing uncommon things
“If nobody talks about you behind your back, you’re not relevant.”
Trying to avoid being talked about is impossible once you begin standing out.
The goal should never be universal approval.
The goal should be impact.
Sometimes people gossip because:
they don’t understand your vision
they feel threatened
they compare their progress to yours
they are uncomfortable with confidence
But none of that changes your mission.
Your responsibility is to keep building.
Visibility attracts opinions.
Do not shrink yourself just to stay comfortable for others.