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Simone Biles’ Journey: Mental Health, Connection and Resilience

Simone Biles is the GOAT of gymnastics and possibly the most dominant athlete we’ve seen. She is truly an innovator. Not only has Simone Biles pushed gymnastics forward and had multiple new skills named after her. We’ve also seen her shift the public perception of mental health in sports. As she gears up for a run at the Paris 2024 Olympics, let’s unpack the role that mental health support and connection play in Simone’s story.

During the Olympics in 2021, Simone felt the pressure of the world watching her. And this wasn’t an ordinary Olympics. The COVID pandemic made everything feel precarious and strange. Additionally, her stellar performance at the 2016 Olympics left everyone expecting so much out of her.  

All of this rested on her shoulders while she was trying to tamp down the trauma she had previously experienced. “It just unfolded,” Simone explains, “you can’t compress trauma that much longer.” She knew her mental health needed tending to and continuing to compete was putting her at risk both mentally and physically.

In a culture that is still trying to wrap its mind around mental health and values perseverance, often at the expense of wellbeing, Simone shocked the world. She made a hard choice and withdrew from several events at the Tokyo Olympics. Rather than going through with what the public wanted, she remained committed to her own healing and safety.

“It’s a beautiful lesson for all of us and beautiful model of what it means to listen to yourself and care for yourself,” shares Dr. Onnie Willis Rogers, a former gymnast-turned-psychologist.

Simone’s withdrawal shed a light on the importance of advocating for your own mental health needs. However, many people had trouble understanding, they called her a “quitter”. And Simone’s inner critic made this time challenging. “I felt like a failure,” Simone shared. “Even though I was empowering so many people and speaking out about mental health, every time I talked about my experience in Tokyo—because it obviously didn’t go the way that I had planned—it stung a little bit. But all in all, it was the best decision.”

The four-time Olympic gold medalist is now planning to return to Olympics. This journey hasn’t been easy, Simone even felt like she might have to leave gymnastics behind. But with the support of her family and friends and the use of mental health resources she has found the resilience to stick with the sport she has so much passion for.

self-care isn't selfishResilience is Rooted in Self-Care and Connection

Simone has embraced therapy as part of her mental health regimen, calling it her “safe space.” “I’m making a bigger effort to take care of my mind and my body, which includes therapy once a week. Thursdays are my therapeutic days, a moment for myself,” Simone explained.

Therapy has given Simone the tools to process her thoughts and feelings and regulate her emotions. And, as part of her mental health self-care, she makes sure to take time off to relax and recharge.

Simone credits the people around her as one of the reasons she keeps going with her training. Her husband, Jonathan Owens, is an NFL player and the two support each other in their athletic careers. During the Olympic trials, she shares that it’s “super exciting that we get to be in each other’s elements, supporting each other’s dreams and goals.”

Simone’s parents have been some of her biggest cheerleaders since she was a little girl discovering her love for gymnastics. Simone’s grandparents adopted her from foster care when she was six. They have been a guiding force, steady presence and support system for Simone throughout her life and career. And they maintain a strong and loving family bond. They have provided the stability and nurturing she needs and have kept her motivated. Learn more about Simone’s journey from foster care to kinship adoption here.

Check out this simple moment between Simone and her mom demonstrating the power of a family support system.

Simone Biles — Rising and Thriving

This has been a huge summer for Simone. She qualified for a spot on her third Olympic team, making her the fourth American woman to make three U.S. Olympic gymnastics teams. She also was recently awarded Best Comeback Performance at the ESPYs. She is now the feature of Simone Biles Rising, the documentary series following Simone’s journey back to the Olympics. The first episode recently premiered on Netflix.  

Sometimes, you have to take that power back, Simone declares in Simone Biles Rising.

Along Simone’s journey, she has gotten to know herself better, beyond just other’s perception of her. “Success, to me, means something a little bit different now,” she shares. “Before, everybody defined success for me, even though I had my own narrative. Now, it’s about showing up, being in a good mental space, having fun, and letting whatever happens happen.”

Everyone Deserves a Support System

At KVC, we want every child and adult to be connected to a strong family and a healthy community. This is the foundation children need to follow their dreams, put their mental health first, feel confident in who they are and thrive! KVC provides a continuum of support, including mental health and kinship care services. Learn more about our services and how you can get involved and strengthen your community!

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