You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard the name Simone Biles. This incredible woman isn’t just a gymnast; she’s a phenomenon. Often synonymous with ‘GOAT’ (Greatest of All Time), Simone is a household name and has earned her spot in the history books. Like so many others, I am utterly in awe of her.
Rewriting the Rules of Gymnastics
In the world of gymnastics, Simone Biles is in a league of her own. Her skills are so extraordinary, many argue that the sport’s scoring system can barely keep up. Her strength and talent have pushed the boundaries of what we once thought was possible. But Simone’s achievements go far beyond her athletic prowess. She has, perhaps unintentionally, become a powerful role model for mental health and self-care.
In 2021, during the Tokyo Olympics, Simone faced a challenge known as the ‘twisties,’ a psychological phenomenon where gymnasts lose their sense of spatial awareness mid-air. When Simone made the courageous decision to withdraw from some events, she faced backlash from those who failed to see the human behind the athlete. Three years later, the world witnessed her triumphant comeback at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Simone Biles secured gold medals in the women’s team final, individual women’s all-around, and women’s vault, along with a silver medal in the women’s floor exercise.
Watching athletes like Simone expand their medal collections is thrilling, but seeing them rise and succeed after overcoming difficulties is even more inspiring. This is perhaps the biggest victory Simone has taken home from Paris.
Embracing Openness in the Face of Adversity
Mental health can be a difficult subject for many people to grasp. There are no visible signs—no bandages, no blood, no scars. But Simone’s decision to step back during the Tokyo Olympics showed incredible bravery and wisdom. She chose to prioritize her well-being and avoided risking physical injury due to the twisties, which were rooted in psychological factors.
In a recent conversation with Alex Cooper, host of the ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast, Simone opened up about the struggles she faced during those Games. She reflected on how athletes often suppress their emotions, but ultimately, it catches up with them. “That’s what you saw at the Olympics,” she shared with Cooper. “A big old spill.”
The world first learned about the largest sexual abuse scandal in sports history just a few years ago. Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics team doctor, abused over 265 women under the guise of ‘medical treatment.’ Simone is one of those survivors. The trauma these young women endured is unimaginable. On the podcast, Simone spoke candidly about how this trauma has led to years of depression and anxiety for her. While she experiences both good and bad days and relies on therapy for support, the trauma, while not something that defines her, is a part of her life story. The twisties she experienced in Tokyo were a manifestation of that trauma.
After the Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles debuted a new tattoo reading, “And still I rise,” a tribute to Maya Angelou’s illustrious poem. “I feel like that’s kind of the epitome of my career and life story ’cause I always rise to the occasion, and even after all of the traumas and the downfalls, I’ve always risen,” Simone said. Few can argue with that, as we’ve watched her return to the Olympic podium in Paris.
Carrying the Weight of the World
During the recent team qualifiers and finals, Simone was the center of attention. Even from the UK, it was clear that Simone was the one to watch, as she was the only gymnast to have all her skills (vault, floor, beam, and bars) televised during the group rounds. British commentators expressed concern for her, noting that she was constantly under the watchful eyes of at least 15 cameras. Simone shared her experiences on social media, revealing the anxiety she felt in the Olympic Village, as she received overwhelming attention from her fellow athletes.
Ever since Simone announced her comeback, all eyes have been on her. With that attention comes great expectations.
A recent Netflix docuseries, ‘Simone Biles Rising,’ documented her journey leading up to this year’s Olympics. In the series, Simone asks the crew, “Have you guys ever seen that statue, with the man holding, like, that thing on his back? Do you know what I’m talking about?” Then she mimics the stance, saying, “That’s what the expectations felt like.” That statue is Atlas, the Ancient Greek Titan holding the heavens on his back. The comparison is clear—the pressure Simone faces is immense. But unlike Atlas, who is made of bronze, we know Simone can make gold.
Throughout these games, I, like many others, have felt concerned about the pressure she faces. Simone Biles is under the spotlight in ways few of us can imagine. The pressure of competitive sports is intense enough, with expectations from peers and fans, the need to constantly improve, avoid injury, and for Simone, remain at the top while the world is watching.
Some of her critics have recently apologized after witnessing her incredible comeback. Simone has shown us all that she made the right decision by taking a break. Her triumphant return is being hailed as her ‘redemption tour.’ She has proven that she’s still at the top of her game, perhaps even stronger as both an athlete and a person.
Breaking Barriers and Embracing Vulnerability
Watching Simone Biles perform is nothing short of magical. Her talent is so extraordinary that it feels like a privilege to witness her success in real-time. But beyond her sport, it’s special to see her breaking down barriers, talking openly about her struggles, and showing vulnerability. Her story teaches us that it’s okay not to always be at our best and that taking a break for our mental health can be the best decision we make.
Simone’s openness is truly something to applaud. She is paving the way for others to prioritize their own mental health, establishing herself as a role model not just in gymnastics but in life.
Want to know more?
In Courage to Soar, the official autobiography from four-time Olympic gold-winning and record-setting American gymnast Simone Biles, Simone shares how her faith, family, passion, and perseverance has made her one of the top athletes and gymnasts in the world—and how you too can overcome challenges in your life.
Simone Biles’ entrance into the world of gymnastics may have started on a field trip in her hometown of Spring, Texas, but her God-given talent, along with drive to succeed no matter the obstacle, are what brought her to the national spotlight during the Olympic Games and have catapulted her ever since—including 25 World Championship medals. But there is more to Simone than her accomplishments.
In this book Simone shares:
- how she has relied on her faith and family to stay focused and positive
- the ways she’s continued competing at the highest level and having fun doing what she loves
- a behind-the-scenes looks at gymnastics events, including the Olympics
- the events and challenges that carried her from an early childhood in foster care to a coveted spot on the U.S. Olympic team
- Along the way, Simone shares the details of her inspiring personal story—one filled with daily acts of courage that led her, and can lead you, to even the most unlikely of dreams.
