SIMONE BILES
Balancing Act: Championing Mental Health on the World Stage
“I say put mental health first because if you don’t then you’re not going to enjoy your sport and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to.”
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“Before I got this tattoo, it was a saying that I loved. Obviously, Maya Angelou. And I was like, ‘And still I rise’ is perfect, because I feel like that’s kind of the epitome of my career and my life story ’cause I always rise to the occasion, and even after all of the traumas and the downfalls, I’ve always risen.”
Simone Biles is a celebrated American artistic gymnast best known for pushing the boundaries of her sport with daring twists and flips like the Yurchenko double pike, tackling routines that are uniquely hers, with a level of difficulty and complexity that sets her apart. Beyond her remarkable athleticism, she has also become a powerful voice in mental health advocacy in recent years. From her courageous decision to prioritize her mental well-being at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, to her incredible comeback at the Paris Olympics, cementing her status as the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.), having won 30 World Championships and 11 Olympic medals, Simone is a champion of resilience and hope.
A Gold Medal Mindset: Taking a Stand at the Tokyo Olympics
Simone faced one of the toughest moments of her career at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when she experienced the “twisties” — a frightening phenomenon where a gymnast's mind and body lose connection, making it hard to navigate mid-air, increasing the risk of serious injury. The pressure to perform was overwhelming, intensified by the weight of sky-high expectations as she was a strong favorite, having won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics. As Simone herself described, the fact that the “twisties” were a mental block made it impossible for others to understand: “I was like, ‘This is a mental injury that they can’t see… Because they couldn’t see it, they couldn’t relate to it. They couldn’t grasp it.’”
“It’s easier to understand when a gymnast is injured with a broken leg…you have empathy because you can see the problem. For Simone, it was invisible.”
— Céline Nony, journalist, L'Équipe from NETFLIX’s Sports Series, “Simone Biles: Rising”
Knowing her mind was not in the right state to compete, Simone bravely spoke out, explaining her decision to prioritize her mental health and withdraw from the team competition.
“I say put mental health first because if you don’t then you’re not going to enjoy your sport and you’re not going to succeed as much as you want to. So it’s okay sometimes to even sit out the competitions to focus on yourself because it shows how strong of a competitor and person that you really are rather than just battle through it.”
– At the Tokyo 2020 Team USA Women’s Gymnastic Press Conference
It was a defining moment for Simone, putting herself first over any medals. And though she had fears about how the world would respond, her courageous choice at that moment sparked an outpouring of support and ignited an important conversation about the pressures of competing on the world stage, helping to show professional athletes as human beings.
“It's something that people go through [mental health struggles] a lot that's kind of pushed under the rug. I feel like we're not just entertainment, we're humans as well. We have feelings.”
Breaking down Stigmas, Shaping Conversations and Making a Comeback in Paris
The ripple effect of Simone's brave decision to share her mental health struggles four years ago continues to resonate today, sparking candid conversations about mental health that extend far beyond the sports world and into everyday life, helping to break down stigmas and foster greater understanding.
“I take heart that athletes like Biles and Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps openly discuss taking care of their own mental health because public conversations like these change the social landscape. This transparency helps individuals who are struggling. It also normalizes prioritizing our mental health, reducing the stigma, shame and isolation that surround mental illness.”
— The Philadelphia Tribune, "Simone Biles makes mental health a priority —and you can, too"
Her remarkable comeback at the Paris Olympics, walking away with an additional four medals, making her the most decorated gymnast of all time is a powerful testament to what can be done when mental health is prioritized, valued and supported.
“The Olympics is such a draining process for the athletes when it’s multiple days of competition, so you definitely have to be on top of your mental, as well as your physical. So as long as we’re doing that, then, we’re good.”
— Olympics, “Simone Biles: “After all these years putting the mental work in, it’s paid off.”
As we wait to see what Simone Biles has planned next, she leaves a legacy that extends far beyond medals and accolades. She's changed the mental health conversation in sports and beyond, inspiring anyone facing similar challenges to do the same, helping the world understand that vulnerability is strength, and that prioritizing well-being is the greatest victory of all.
“Before I got this tattoo, it was a saying that I loved. Obviously, Maya Angelou. And I was like, ‘And still I rise’ is perfect, because I feel like that’s kind of the epitome of my career and my life story ’cause I always rise to the occasion, and even after all of the traumas and the downfalls, I’ve always risen.”
More Quotes from Simone Biles
On mental health
“It’s really important to use that support system and know they’re there for you and not against you, because at the end of the day, us as humans, we hate asking for help… We think we can do it on our own, but sometimes we just can’t. So, use every outlet given to you.”
— Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, “Simone Biles, an unexpected advocate for mental health”
On success
“Success, to me, means something a little bit different now. Before, everybody defined success for me, even though I had my own narrative. Now, it's about showing up, being in a good mental space, having fun, and letting whatever happens happen.”
Sources:
https://olympics.com/en/news/simone-biles-bravest-act-choosing-herself
https://olympics.com/en/news/simone-biles-mentasl-work-paid-off-medals-records-paris-olympics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dakoO8WJ3mY
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/a37158050/what-are-the-twisties-gymnastics/
https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/81700902
