Grace Under Pressure: How Simone Biles Started A National Conversation On Mental Health In Sports
According to media outlets, Simone Biles didn’t set out to become a mental health advocate. However, when she pulled out of the team final for Team USA during the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, citing mental health concerns, she captured the attention of the nation.
The world champion was competing with the Olympic team when she suddenly dropped out of the all-around champion finals and individual events of vault, uneven bars, and floor exercise, reporting that she was experiencing a case of the “twisties.” This is a term that can describe a potentially dangerous mental block sometimes experienced by gymnasts, which can involve losing track of their position in midair. However, Biles went on to compete in the balance beam event and received a bronze medal.
Biles’s bravery in speaking up about her mental health inspired many to be more open about their challenges and seek professional help through therapy.
Changing the conversation on mental health and performance
The history of the way Americans relate to sports figures can be seen as long and complicated. Many individuals revere athletes but seem to quickly disparage them when they don’t meet their personal standards. When Simone Biles dropped out of the team competition, compromising the US team’s chance at winning Olympic gold medals (they earned the silver medal instead), many were critical, while others appeared to support her decision.
Biles later shared that she experienced intense pressure to perform and had been struggling to push past that pressure and the expectations of being considered the greatest gymnast in history. Biles is the only gymnast who can execute a double layout salto half twist and blind landing, and expectations for her performance were extremely high.
Despite these pressures throughout the Olympic trials and first team event, she recognized the danger that her mental health challenges presented, and rather than push through them and risk injury, she opted to forfeit the personal gold medal she seemed to be likely to win, as well as a possible team gold medal.
This decision appeared to lead to worldwide discussions. While there were many critics and naysayers, there was also a large positive response from her teammates, other athletes, and millions of fans. Using her platform as a famous gymnast, Simone Biles showed that it’s okay to not be okay, even when you are the most successful person in your field. This message resonated with many people and started important conversations about mental health and performance.
Speaking openly about trauma and mental health
In 2018, Simone Biles discussed her experiences with abuse by Larry Nassar, the former doctor of the USA Olympic gymnastics team. He was found guilty of abusing hundreds of young women, and his abuse contributed to trauma for many athletes, including Biles. She testified against him before the Senate Judiciary Committee and talked about the intimidation of the sport’s governing bodies to protect the predator.
She publicly shared about her depressive symptoms resulting from the trauma and the surrounding pressures, reporting that there were periods of time when she escaped into sleep to escape from the world and her dark thoughts. Despite sharing that she continues to experience ongoing challenges with trust, anxiety, and other effects of trauma, she has chosen to speak out and help others who may be struggling.
Avoiding burnout through awareness and mindfulness
Despite the setback during the Olympics, Simone Biles's story continues to be one of enormous success. Many believe that her choice to step back fueled her continued success. In 2023, Biles made history by earning the women’s individual all-around final at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. This was her 21st World Championships gold medal. She is also preparing to perform in the Olympic Games for the third time as the face of Team USA.
Simone Biles continues to use her platform to share the benefits of therapy. Speaking to Glamour magazine, Biles said, “I thought I could figure it out on my own, but that’s sometimes not the case. And that’s not something you should feel guilty or ashamed about. Once I got over that fact, I actually enjoyed it and looked forward to going to therapy. It’s a safe space.”
A strong mental health advocate, she also talks about the importance of social connections, sharing with Olympics.com that “it’s really important to use that support system and know they’re there for you and not against you, because at the end of the day, us as humans, we hate asking for help. We think we can do it on our own, but sometimes we can’t. So use every outlet given to you.”
Therapy for stress and other mental health challenges
Overwhelming stress, societal pressure, and trauma can contribute to a number of negative impacts on both mental and physical health, including anxiety, a sense of hopelessness, poor sleep, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an evidence-based therapeutic approach that can be effective in treating mental health conditions like mood disorders, managing stress, and improving overall mental health and well-being.
For those who may not have the time to schedule in-person sessions, or who may have difficulty finding the right therapist near their home, online therapy can offer a convenient and accessible solution. Online platforms like BetterHelp can empower you to fit sessions into your busy schedule and attend them from the location of your choice, choosing from video conference, phone call, and online chat for each session.
A growing body of research supports the idea that online therapy typically produces the same client outcomes as in-office therapy. According to a 2022 study, online therapy is generally non-inferior to its in-person counterpart, and both options can treat a variety of mental health challenges and concerns.
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