Simone Biles pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping comebacks in modern sports history. Remember the Tokyo Olympics? It was a rollercoaster for her! During the warm-ups for the team final, she hit a snag. Attempting her signature Amanar vault, she suddenly balked mid-air and ended up doing just 1.5 twists instead of the full 2.5. In the actual competition, the same thing happened—she lunged and nearly fell, scoring a disappointing 13.766 with a difficulty score of 5.0, way below Amanar’s 5.8. After that, she left the competition floor, leaving fans buzzing with confusion and concern. Biles returned a few minutes later but decided to withdraw from the team competition, prioritizing her mental health.

This was a tough moment in her career, and many were quick to write off Biles as done in gymnastics. She also faced massive online backlash—some critics labeled her a ‘quitter.’ But this superstar wasn’t ready to bow out just yet! With that fierce hunger to succeed still burning bright, Biles dusted herself off and got back to work. Fast forward, and she emerged as a world champion, in her comeback year 2023.

After the Paris Olympics, the world was left in awe as Simone Biles solidified her status as the GOAT of gymnastics, snagging three more gold medals and soaring to glory. But guess what? There’s a little secret behind her incredible comeback. Sure, she has that ironclad will to win, but Biles also turned to therapy for support.

Always vocal about the importance of mental health, Biles made regular therapy sessions part of her routine to help pull herself out of the shadows. With so many women in America battling depression, Biles is taking her positive vibes on the road, with her next stop on the Gold Over America Tour in Kansas City on October 16. She’s been all about expressing gratitude for those who’ve sought help and shining a light on mental health challenges.

Speaking on the same, the USA gymnastics Simone Biles queen stated to KCTV5, “I’m always going to be open, vulnerable, and honest on my platforms…I’m just so blessed that most of these men and women that hear my story and feel inspired and go get help for the first time, just want them to know that that’s the help that they deserve. And so l’m happy they’re getting that help.” As a matter of fact, Biles’ take on mental health struggles is not only revolutionary but also goes on to show the strength of character of the OG gymnast. Because it is not every day that a champion athlete will have the courage to let go of the ego and take a step back.

Simone Biles’ advocacy for mental health

Simone Biles might be a champion, but her road to glory was never a bed full of roses. Growing up in foster care, Biles carried a significant childhood trauma until she was adopted by Ronnie and Nellie Biles. But this was just the tip of the iceberg. Trying to make a name for herself in gymnastics, Biles soon found out that she did not fit into the stereotypical ‘beauty standards’ preset by gymnastics. Thus, Biles’ long journey towards being a legend kicked off. Having come across several unpleasant experiences, Biles opened up about how she and her fellow gymnasts were ill-treated at the Karolyi Ranch. 

Biles further got candid about being exploited by Larry Nassar, which led her to grapple with depression. This phase was so worrisome and Biles once said, “At one point I slept so much because, for me, it was the closest thing to death without harming myself. It was an escape from all of my thoughts, from the world, from what I was dealing with.” Seeking professional help to combat her dire situation, Biles never shied away from openly talking about mental health. She was the first modern-day gymnast who opined that it was ‘okay not to be okay’. 

Her determined self was on full display when, despite almost half of America criticizing her, Biles stood firm in her decision. She was gutsy enough to say that although the Tokyo outing turned out sour, her main focus was to keep her mental and physical health in check. With a champion’s confidence radiating from her, Simone Biles is not just advocating for self-care and mental well-being; she’s also rapidly elevating her stature beyond the gymnastics world.