Welcome ladies and gentlemen to another installment of “Making Your Mental Health a Priority,” a series in which I delve into sports' biggest names and athletes. If you’re new to my content on The Gryd, make sure to read my previous articles on this series and catch-up on athletes I’ve already written about.
Today, one of sports biggest and brightest stars in US Gymnastics Simone Biles is the GOAT of her sport. But it came with a price in 2021 as she prepared for the Tokyo Olympics and suffered a mental health episode. Before she set to compete, Simone pulled out of competition to focus on her mental health and physical safety. Now, you may say: “that’s just wrong for her to not compete for the United States.” It was the turning point and topic over anything in Tokyo.
The gravity of the moment became too much for Simone; it was a moment in which she handled it with grace and elegance. Standing up for herself but also making things for her fellow competitors better in bringing the conversation. This opened broader conversations throughout the Olympic Village, where athletes supported Biles’ decision to take care of her mental health issues.
Simone Biles took the necessary time away to address this and still became the star in Tokyo. It went beyond the competition itself as it garnered more data than coverage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s interview with Oprah Winfrey. Between the pandemic, being away from home and the Summer Olympics taking place, mental health was truly talked about more than anything else going on. Simone became a bigger voice on the global stage. Athletes applauded and supported her decision, while the media wanted to play bad cop at this moment.
When your mental health isn’t in a safe space, why force yourself to follow through? This is one area athletes have done more harm than good in their respected sport. Seeing Simone step aside was bigger than winning medals. It brought attention and awareness where athletes walked on eggshells upon going to Tokyo. A lot of misunderstandings with how the games still took place. A populace risks incoming athletes from other countries. A lot of stress created more mental health issues for all involved.
In the grand scheme, Simone Biles’ glowing smile returned, and her greater purpose is using her voice to speak on mental health issues. Getting married to NFL player Johnathan Owens and traveling to many games as possible to support her husband. It may have not had the publicity of Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, but Simone is a low-key young woman. Enough cameras have followed her since she stepped on a balance beam and won gold medals. For her, mental health is more important than anything in life.
She’s expressed how therapy has helped her in many ways and has a sense of peace. It’s a work in progress and how she manages it can be very inspirational to all of us. Knowing your own health matters can be a defining moment. Simone is truly a great role model for young girls and women; even young male athletes would say she’s given them a sense of purpose in addressing their mental health matters. Simone Biles is truly the GOAT on and off the balance beam. Thank you for your voice and using it to encourage others. Your work won’t be forgotten and it’s the biggest medal one can win in life. In closing, always make your mental health a priority.
Stai tuned.
