The gymnastic GOAT Simone Biles is now a worldwide name for being a mental health advocate, too. But she didn’t reach this height on the first go. The road to being the greatest mental health advocate in the athletic realm was filled with obstacles. Owing to her 2020 Tokyo Olympics ‘Twisties’, the Olympian sought professional help. But her therapy journey started long back.

As people may assume, the 7X Olympic medalist had faced the most gruesome setback only once. To break the preconceived notion, the journey of therapy started in 2013, when she finally had eyes on her. Competing at an international level was already enough pressure for the then 16-year-old. Moreover, her remarkable gymnastic journey had given allowance to her people to set high expectations. Shedding more light on this matter, the Biles family united for a podcast.

Simone Biles’ therapy journey

In a podcast of Axonius, the team was welcomed by the 26-year-old and her family for a candid dinner session. Sitting with parents Ron and Nellie Biles, sister Adria Biles and best-friend Rachel Moore, the Olympian looked content. Talking about seeking therapy and regaining her gymnastic confidence, the Olympian took the family back to 2013 US Secret Classic. She was reluctant to visit a sports psychologist after her back-to-back disheartening displays. But her parents took her anyway and Biles thanks her stars that they did. She said, “You guys took me there to kinda find the joy in gymnastics again. I was so nervous about all eyes being on me at that time.”?

For fans, it takes a second to bring their favorite athletes down if anything goes wrong. But the struggled behind gets overlooked by many. Similarly, Biles’ followers extend their support for her 2020 Olympic mental block, but fail to see beyond it. Sporting her main mantra during all her bouts, the 26-year-old motivated the young athletes to believe in themselves. “It’s OK to not be OK” is what she chants all day, every day.

Biles’ mental health comes first

Sitting out of 5 finals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was not a matter of regret for the Olympian. It was her second Olympic appearance, where her followers awaited her prolific displays on the mat. But ‘Twisties’ didn’t let her, but it didn’t dim her hope either.

Chanting her main mantra, she learned to keep her mental health above gymnastics. She said, “I wouldn’t change anything for the world. I gave an outlet for athletes to speak up about their mental health and their well-being and learn that you can put yourself first before the athlete.” As per her words, maybe that’s how an evolved gymnast talks like.

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Now, on this day, the Olympic gold medalist is cognizant of her global position, but doesn’t let the hype affect her. Taking careful steps, she’s moving towards her next big gymnastics game, the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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