“You Were Very Reluctant”: Despite Knowing She Needed Help, Simone Biles’ Parents Had to Force Her to Seek Treatment in 2013

With seven Olympic medals and twenty-five World Championship medals, Simone Biles is the undeniable GOAT. Rising to stardom at a very early age, Simone’s love affair with gymnastics started when she was only six. Though the young gymnast quickly rose on the success ladder, things did not come easy. She may be a dominant name on the mat, but she had her fair share of hurdles.

As the Olympian sat down for a family dinner along with the team of Axonius, she opened up about her struggles. Retailing her “disastrous 2013” performance, the bride-to-be talked about the mental toll the performance took on her.

Simone Biles shares her journey with mental health 

The journey to success and global fame was never easy for Simone. The hurdles were not just on the mat, but it was a constant struggle with herself, too. As Biles recounted, she missed the mark by a whisker in 2011, was too young to compete in 2012, and her 2013 performance was “disappointing.”

Walking back down memory lane, she quoted, “2013 was a turning point. Not only because it was so disastrous, but afterward, I got the proper help that I needed.” For the unversed, Simone here talks about her mental health. She was too bogged with the struggles. Realizing it was high time, she “went to a sports psychologist.”

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However, she confessed, “although I didn’t want to.” As Simone continued to share her experience, her father, Ronald Biles, also pipped in to agree with what she had said. Ronald could not help but shake his head in agreement and comment, “you were very reluctant.” Thankfully, Simone had her family right beside her. She expressed her gratitude as she said, “you guys took me there to kind of find the joy in gymnastics again.”

Family helped Simone in her tough times

Regardless of the situation, Simone always found support from her family. Through thick and thin, the Biles family held on to each other. While she struggled with her mental well-being, her family ensured that she received the proper care.

Had the Biles clan not been present, things would perhaps be more difficult for Simone. She confessed that she was too nervous about visiting the sports physiatrist. With all the glaring eyes and public scrutiny, the pressure is constant. Sometimes it was too overwhelming for the young adult.

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However, Simone learned to prioritize herself and her mental health over time. Her desire to stay healthy mentally prompted her to withdraw from the 2021 Tokyo final round.