Simone Biles, the G.O.A.T of gymnastics has made a unique place for her in the world of sports. She has not only enthralled everyone with her flips and twists but also with her strong voice on mental health. She receives unwavering support from her fans because they find her thoughts resonating with theirs.
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Biles has been a victim of body shaming since childhood. It raised several questions about how someone can define what’s normal or beautiful and why it is seen as a competition. She has dealt with them with utmost conviction and evolved into a confident self. The gymnast champion has never been afraid to respond appropriately. A piece she posted in 2020 provided an insight into the transformation of her perceptions.
Simone Biles lets the lion roar
After years of passively taking in remarks, critiques, and trolling about her body and dressing, Biles speaks out about a mindset that is widely accepted but is very toxic. Enraged Simone starts with the statement “Let’s talk about competition.”
Beauty. When did it become a competition? #NOCOMPETITION @SKII_US #skiipartner pic.twitter.com/zBbAQaI0vU
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) February 12, 2020
The G.O.A.T questions why she is put in the competition that she has not signed up for. She adds that there is a growing competition for beauty in all professions although it has nothing to do with one’s performance. She wonders why people feel they have the authority to define standards for others.
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“I’m tired of everything in life being turned into a competition.” The Olympian gymnast confesses. She also stated that she was not only standing up for herself but also for others going through the same.
She lays down the argument to rest by saying “Nobody should tell you or I what beauty should or should not look like.” The last line of the post reads loud and clear, “Beauty is #nocompetition.” Biles shared the post as part of skincare brand SK-II’s #NOCOMPETITION campaign.
Tough past
To one outside, it might seem like life is a bed of roses for the world champions. Unfortunately, they are no exceptions, and just as any human being, they are prone to feeling disturbed and helpless.
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The gymnast giant said in 2018 that people would say mean things to her. She was called a ‘swoldier’ which wasn’t making her feel any good. To avoid these comments, she wore sweaters or jackets throughout the year to cover her arms.
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WATCH THIS STORY: Simone Biles and Her Childhood Best Friend. Here’s The Heartwarming Story
Her 2016 teammate Aly Raisman was extremely helpful to work through her body image issues. She guided Biles on how to be confident about her body. Biles said “Aly Raisman helped me a lot with my body-confidence issues and helped me learn to love how I look,” She also added that Aly taught her a lot and everything boils down to just one phrase: “love yourself.”