Back in 2021, Simone Biles landed in Tokyo as the undisputed queen of gymnastics, poised to add more gold to her basket. While the world waited with bated breath to watch her snatch the gold with her flawless stunts, destiny had different plans for the gymnastics G.O.A.T. Biles “looked like she got lost” mid-air, nearly crashing to her knees on the landing while performing the vault. And when the news broke that she had withdrawn from the team competition, the world was left stunned.

However, for Biles, this wasn’t just a fall. It was a rare display of vulnerability from an athlete often hailed as invincible. And while the world started to take stands against the athlete without knowing her side of the story, Simone unapologetically opened up about her struggles against the worst setback she has ever faced, ‘Twisties’. And for someone who had dominated her sport for years, such a setback was enough to shatter their grit at one blow. But the story is of Simone Biles. 

Netflix director reveals the emotional struggles behind Simone Biles’ journey to Olympic triumph.

Fast forward to the 2024 Paris Olympics. Simone Biles finally returned to the world stage with something to prove. But not to her fans or critics, but rather to herself. While the pressure still continued to remain sky-high, she carried it with calm resolve. And it was her resolve and grit that not only left her fans in awe but also caught the attention of Katie Walsh. Walsh wanted the world to know more about the unthinkable journey of the queen and made it the subject of his Netflix documentary ‘Simone Biles Rising’. And the world got a rare glimpse of the GOAT road to redemption.

Reflecting on the pressure Biles had to shoulder, the director commented, “I think it would be impossible not to feel the pressure.” Yet Simone handled it with grace and made her medals make all the talk. Biles had her eyes set on specific goals for Paris. The team and all-around titles were her primary focus, and achieving those made her Olympics a personal victory, regardless of the total medal count (which was nothing but cherries on the cake). 

Walsh noted that Biles never saw herself through the lens of outsiders’ expectations. Instead, she focused on what mattered most to her. It’s her mindset that made her sparkle. While promoting their Netflix docuseries ‘Simone Biles Rising,’ Walsh said that witnessing Biles’ ‘superhuman’ stunts in the arena often turns out to be tough to actually believe that “there is a real person behind those death-defying skills.” And after documenting the G.O.A.T.’s journey to the zenith of success, Katie Walsh had a different perspective to reflect upon.

Walsh got to see the real side of Simone Biles as a person, which remains beneath the image of the gymnast. She got to witness the serious, intense side of the gymnast in those private moments before the competition when the weight of expectations pressed in. Yet, what stood out to Walsh was not just Biles’ athletic prowess but her ability to let others in during moments of vulnerability. It was a rare glimpse of the person behind the medals. 

Remaining in awe of the spirit and personality of the queen, Katie Walsh shared with Fox News, “She still has her own struggles. and those struggles are real and very relatable. Because there’s something that most of us go through at some point.” Summing it up perfectly, the director added, “I think getting to know her as the person allows you to appreciate what she does on the floor so much more, because it just makes it so much more special and unique and just miraculous… She’s able to do it under so much pressure and with so many eyes on her.” After witnessing Biles’ journey so closely, Walsh could not resist voicing her support for Biles’ decision to prioritize her mental well-being.

Director firmly supports Simone Biles’ powerful choice to prioritize mental health over competition

Biles was no stranger to the weight of expectations when she went to Tokyo. As the world’s most decorated gymnast, her every move is scrutinized, and her ability to perform under pressure is legendary. Yet, during the Tokyo Olympics, Biles made a decision that shocked the world. Her vulnerable state sparked global debates. However, Katie Walsh firmly believes that Biles made the right call.

In an interview, Walsh reflected on the immense pressure Biles faced at the “COVID Olympics” and emphasized how the mental toll outweighed any physical prowess. “She did the absolute right thing by pulling out.” For Walsh, Biles’ decision was not a sign of weakness but one of strength. And the reason behind Walsh’s thoughts has been portrayed throughout the documentary itself.

And now, with eleven Olympic medals to shoulder, Biles is nothing but a source of inspiration for many. The way she decided to throw light on the real mental struggles of an elite athlete gave strength to many beyond the walls of the gymnastics arena.