Simone Biles on Life After Tokyo Olympics: “It Was Hard”

Following her initial vault in the women’s gymnastics team event at the Tokyo Olympics, the reigning Olympic all-around champion, Simone Biles, showed a notable sense of apprehension. Despite showing no signs of physical discomfort, such as limping or grimacing, her demeanor betrayed serious concern. Expected to execute two and a half twists in mid-air following her launch off the vault, Biles found herself disoriented, managing only one and a half twists. Instantly discerning an issue, she grasped that something was amiss.

Looking back, Biles has linked her declining confidence to the combination of mental stress and immense pressure. However, it was during her exit from the event that she openly discussed her struggle with “twisties.” Interestingly, Biles had been aware of this challenge long before sharing it publicly. In a recent podcast conversation with Call Her Daddy, she candidly recounted the moment she was diagnosed with these mental blocks.

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During her podcast conversation with the host- Alex Cooper, Simone Biles shared the realities behind her public persona as a beacon for mental health advocacy juxtaposed with the raw challenges of her daily existence. Cooper’s inquiry into how Biles processed trauma in her day-to-day life sparked a candid reflection. Biles revealed, “Well, at that point I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and I kind of knew I was depressed, but I hid it so well because I train 34 hours a week.”

Despite her relentless dedication to training, Biles grappled with the weight of her emotions. She expressed, “So what do I always do whenever I’m at home, I’m in my room laying down, resting, resting, resting. But I knew this resting was very different.”

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She unmasked the silent battles waged in her mind, shedding light on the profound toll of her mental health journey. She described the heaviness that enveloped her daily life, confessing, “It was hard to get out of bed. It was hard to do anything. It felt like everything felt heavy in the end of the world.” Biles’ vulnerability extended to sleepless nights. “And again, a lot of sleepless crying nights. Like why me?” she shared, encapsulating the profound sense of isolation and despair that often accompanies mental health battles.

She articulated the internal conflict of shouldering undue guilt, lamenting, “So it just felt very, I wouldn’t even say dehumanizing, but it felt like I held a lot of the guilt that wasn’t mine to hold.” Through her words, Biles unveiled the complexities of her personal tribulations with mental health challenges. But her struggle with the twisties came to an end last year, and this month she was honored for her remarkable comeback.

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Simone Biles added another accolade to her illustrious career by clinching the Laureus World Comeback of the Year award, announced at a ceremony held in Madrid on Monday, April 22. This prestigious recognition comes on the heels of her triumphant return to gymnastics competition in 2023, where she secured historic U.S. and world all-around titles.

This latest achievement marks Biles’ fourth Laureus World Sports Award, having previously claimed the title of Sportswoman of the Year three times (in 2017, 2019, and 2020). In a heartfelt acceptance message, Biles expressed her gratitude, stating, “I am so honoured…. It’s been a dream come true since I was a little girl to be receiving awards like this one day, so thank you for making my dreams come true. As for her future, all eyes will be on Paris 2024.