Having first tried gymnastics at age 6 on a day-care field trip, a peerless gymnastic career ensued for Simone Biles. Currently boasting 37 medals across Worlds and the Olympics under her belt, the 26-year-old is also popular as a mental health advocate. But this merit of hers didn’t show up suddenly. Behind it lies a life full of struggles and adjustments. Especially being a foster child, her belief system was plagued early.

Biles signed up for coach Aimee Boorman at age eight after showing exceptional progress on her first try. But as she started unlocking prowess and bagging medal after medals, something else came in the way, which necessitated a visit to the psychologist at a very tender age.

Simone Biles’ early career setback

In Spa Business 2023, Biles headlined the 4th issue of the magazine. Having competed at her first Olympic Games at age 16, the 26-year-old now understands how much importance self-belief holds. “When I was growing up and realized I had a gift for gymnastics, I was afraid of being great and would self-sabotage”, said the 7x Olympic medalist.

Though it sounds unlikely for a gymnast of measure to have a thought process like this, young Simone strived to believe in her abilities. She had to visit a psychologist to rebuild her belief system from scratch. After which, she said, “I know now that you can’t be afraid of being great or to unleash that power in your mind because you can open yourself up to so many things”. 

Now, navigating through popularity like a pro and also helping her husband with that, the Olympian leads a worry-free life. The voice of ‘with great power comes great responsibility’ tried to stop her endeavors. But “I’ve become a lot better at blocking out that noise“, asserts that Simone Biles will justify her GOAT title more. But the Tokyo Olympic setback played the greatest role in molding her as a person.

Biles’ transformed self, inspired the world

“After Tokyo, I was able to teach people that it’s okay not to be okay”, said the 4x Olympic gold medalist. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Biles faced the hardest blow when ‘Twisties’ hit her mid-routine. After withdrawing from the competition, she said, “It’s very scary and dangerous for gymnasts and can’t be fixed overnight. It can take weeks and months.”

For two years, she has been on a hiatus until she made her comeback at the US Hydration Core Classic in 2023. “I needed to stop and sit down” was what she felt when a mental block tried to halt her career abruptly. Second year into her comeback and also the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics, will she be in full spirits to sweep titles this time?

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