Not Gymnastics But Simone Biles Wants Her Past Struggles And Heroic Fight As Her Legacy: “Don’t Really Have Any Regrets”

The behemoth games are out to test the mettle of athletes the world over. They are in full form, especially gymnastic virtuoso Simone Biles. One who is succinctly considered the GOAT in her sport faced the hardest blow at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Being struck with twisties came unexpectedly, but that experience made her what she is today. Her abrupt withdrawal from the team competition raised fury. But she chose to stick to “put mental health first because if you don’t then you’re not going to enjoy your sport”.  

Since then on, she has amassed the title of a mental health advocate. Still going strong, the gymnast currently stands with 37 medals in Worlds and Olympics. She also embodies someone who never learned to lose. This statement became clearer as she stood by it in a recent Spotify podcast wherein she exemplified how she takes her lessons, trauma etc as fodder for growth.

Simone Biles wears her trauma like a badge of honor

In a Spotify podcast named “Simone Biles: What Really Happened at the Tokyo Olympics”, Alexandra Cooper shared space with the gymnastics great. Unabashedly sharing her story, the 7x Olympic medalist revealed the real reason behind her satiation. “To be an advocate for anything that I’ve been outspoken about. Mental health, foster care, ADHD, whatever that is. But also just someone that gave it her all… I’m kind of at the age where I’ve been, I don’t really have any more regrets…Everything I’ve done has kind of been on like my time”. 

The glories she boasts of today didn’t come easily. Simone Biles left behind such traumas and instances that tried to plague her career. Suffering from ADHD alongside many other athletes was the highlight of her life once. She stood for ‘clean sport’ and didn’t shy away from accepting the harrows of her condition. Moreover, her history as a foster kid was a trauma on its own until her biological grandparents stepped up as angels. While she bears these rough patches with aplomb and pride, the Olympian didn’t miss out on one thing particularly.

 Working on her mind and body ahead of the Olympics

Getting back to the same event where the twisties happened can be mortifying, but Biles is handling it well. All thanks to therapy. In the podcast, she said, “Therapy is The most incredible thing that I have always said to people.“. Over the years, she has normalized the fact that taking therapy wasn’t a shameful factor. Athletes who failed to speak up finally found a resounding voice in Biles.

Ahead of the Summer Games, the 4x Olympic gold medalist will go head-on with the best gymnastic lot. Even though the 27-year-old doesn’t wish to get out of her comfort zone and pressurize herself too much. As her words go, “I don’t have regrets”. How will her Paris outing fare for her now? Time will tell.