The sporting spotlight is undoubtedly an awning that serves athletes, often putting them in an anxious state. After a protracted absence, Simone Biles returned to the gymnastics world as its crown jewel. Throughout her professional career, the gymnast has been transparent about her challenges. She heaped on the stress as she moved up the success ladder, which resulted in a withdrawal episode during the Tokyo Olympics. In the midst of her career, the all-around athlete realized it was time to turn her attention to her mental health.

Simone even felt anxious since she had entered adulthood with gymnastics as her sole passion, and leaving that behind seemed like a calculated risk. Her closest friends and family served as her primary sources of support throughout that time. Her return has brought back memories of the ingrained dread brought on by the famed strain. In a recent social media post, she revealed what set off her first episode.

Simone Biles goes candid about her setback

The bars, beam, and vaults reunite with the global fame Biles as she makes her return with US Classic this Saturday. While Chicago awaits the queen’s performance the Texas-based gymnast is busy engaging in a rigorous 6 hours of practice on a good day. Just yesterday Biles sat with her thoughts finally opening up about her anxiety as she wrote, “i?m pretty sure my anxiety started with the pacer test” on Threads.

 

Post by @simonebiles

View on Threads

 

A PACER test is a common fitness test in schools to test students’ stamina and aerobic potential. While some people enjoy the challenge, others find it stressful and even unpleasant. Some of Biles’ followers also shared their exam-related memories by commenting on her thread. The post by Americans’ favorite gymnast soon garnered thousands of likes on the platform.

Biles’ candor regarding her own issues on public platforms has eased the stigma associated with mental health. In the past, she has spoken candidly about everything from the rigors of foster care to the agonizing uncertainties she experienced the night before her event in 2021. Even the distance blues appear to be growing as she lives in Texas away from her husband Jonathan Owens. Since then, Owens has helped her through the difficult period. But do you know what happened to Biles that year?

Simone Biles and her shocking exit in 2021

To everyone’s amusement, Biles withdrew from the team gymnastics competition in July 2021 citing mental health problems. Later, she was honest about the difficult time she was going through and the need to put her mental health first. Her disclosure increased public understanding of the typically contentious topic of mental health in sports on a global level. Biles took it to her Instagram saying, ?I truly do feel like I have the weight of the world upon my shoulders at times.? She also feared that the team’s prospects of winning a medal would be put in jeopardy by her bad performance on the vault.

READ MORE Simone Biles Reveals Her Brilliant DIY Technique to Relieve Anxiety

Despite her final miss, the US Gymnastics team won a silver medal in the event in the Games. Later that year, Biles gave a virtual speech about mental health at the Child Advocacy Award luncheon for the Child Mind Institute. Her openness has inspired others to put their health first and helped in eradicating the stigma associated with emotional wellness in sports. As the US Classics Champion re-enters her National debut arena, do you think she will repeat her wins?

Watch this Story Days Before Her Grand Return Simone Biles Behind-the-Scenes Video Showcases a Powerful Fall