Jordan Chiles’ UCLA Coach Sends Strong Message to Gymnastics World as NCAA Season Continues

What separates a good gymnast from a great one? Perhaps it is skill, strength, or probably the accolades one holds to their name. But there is one more hidden battle that distinguishes the winners from the champions. Yes, you guessed it right; it is the ability to handle the pressure of being an athlete. The greats are the ones who manage to hold onto their mental health amidst tough times. And in a sport like gymnastics, it is even more evident.

As the NCAA season continues, the battle for the top place is getting fiercer. UCLA remains a dominant force, currently at #6 nationally and #1 on floor exercise. But behind these achievements lies the immense pressure gymnasts face. Gymnastics is one of the most demanding sports, requiring precision, strength, and unwavering mental control. The pressure to be perfect can lead to mental blocks that hinder performance. And this is what 2x Olympics medalist Jordan Chile’s coach recently pointed out.

UCLA coach talks about the battle beyond the perfect 10s

While UCLA’s success is undeniable, UCLA’s assistant coach, BJ Das, has a powerful message for the gymnastics world, as the University of Washington magazine published on February 5, 2025. Gymnastics is more than just perfect 10s and record-breaking scores. It’s also a mental battle. Sometimes much more mental than physical. The sport has evolved over the years, but the pressure remains immense.

Gymnasts push their bodies to the extreme while simultaneously managing the psychological demands of high-stakes competition. One of the sport’s most challenging and often misunderstood mental blocks is the ‘twisties’. This is where BJ Das’ perspective becomes essential, as her background in psychology gives her a unique understanding of the mental struggles gymnasts face and the need for a shift in how the sport approaches athlete well-being.

Gymnastics has long been associated with a ruthless pursuit of success, which often ignores the mental toll on athletes. To this, she recalled, “The way the sport was set up back in the ’90s, it was a very high-pressure sport with a win-at-all-costs mentality,” emphasizing the importance of understanding how gymnasts process stress, handle pressure, and overcome mental barriers.

Talking about the present scenario and comparing it to the past, she also mentioned, “We weren’t really encouraged to talk about mental health. Nowadays, they’re more free to speak on it. Coaches and athletes are more aware of the boundaries of what’s healthy and what’s not, more so than it used to be.” With this, her message is clear: the sport must continue to evolve, not just in skill level but in how it approaches mental health.

Das’ perspective is crucial in addressing the twisties. A terrifying mental block where gymnasts lose their sense of position in the air. The twisties don’t just affect performance; they can be dangerous, leading to severe injuries if an athlete is unable to orient themselves before landing. It’s a phenomenon that has affected even the most accomplished gymnasts, including none other than Simone Biles.

Gymnastics star Simone Biles’ stance on mental health

One of the greatest gymnasts of all time, Simone Biles, experienced the twisties during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. When preparing for Team USA’s first gymnastics rotation, she noticed something was off. “It doesn’t feel comfortable. I have no idea where I am, but I’m twisting, praying I land on my feet,” Biles revealed in an episode of the podcast Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper, which premiered in April 2024.

“I felt like I was fighting my body and my mind to do these tricks.” She admitted. The comparison that Olympic gold medalist Biles made is something every athlete, and even non-athletes, can relate to: “The twisties feel like suddenly being unable to control a car you drive daily. Your mind and your body are at a disconnect. Your body is going to try to do something, and your mind is going to be like, ‘No, you’re not doing this,” she explained.

The honesty from athletes like Biles and the increasing awareness from coaches like Das mark a shift in gymnastics culture. Mental health is no longer a taboo topic. Instead, it’s a crucial part of training and performance, just like strength and flexibility. But what do you think? Should gymnastics organizations implement more structured mental health support for athletes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!