Simone Biles openly talked about mental health and therapy in a new interview
1 august 2024 в 19:13
Simone Biles openly talked about her mental health and visits to a therapist in a new interview with Hoda Kotb on her podcast «Making Space» on Wednesday, July 31. During the conversation with the host of the daytime talk show, 27-year-old Simone gave a detailed description of her day leading up to the US women’s gymnastics team’s gold medal win at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The victory came just three years after Simone withdrew from some Olympic events due to mental health issues during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The gymnast opened up to the host of the «Today» show about how therapy helped her and made her stronger before these games. After her win, Simone told journalists that she started her day with a therapy session. «In the morning, I started with therapy, so it was very nerve-wracking. I told her I felt calm and ready, and that’s exactly what happened», - she said. «After I finished my vault, I felt relief. I thought, 'Phew,' because there were no flashes or anything like that».
During the conversation with Hoda, the Olympic champion admitted that she considers therapy important, explaining that it is part of her daily life. «We used to think of therapy as weakness, and now I see it as strength. And if there’s someone who can help me deal with what I’m going through, then that’s what I need to do. And now it’s a daily part of my routine», - she said.
Simone opted out of individual competitions at the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health and combat the «twisties», - a psychological block that can disrupt a gymnast’s sense of perspective. «After the performance I did, I didn’t want to participate in other events, so I decided to take a step back», - she said in July 2021. «It's unfortunate that this happened at this stage, because I definitely wanted these Olympics to go a little better, but again, we’ll take them one day at a time and see how it goes. Physically, I feel good. I’m in shape. Emotionally, it changes depending on the time and moment».
Now Simone has returned and has already won a gold medal with the US women’s team in the all-around women’s competition
The victory came just three years after Simone withdrew from some Olympic events due to mental health issues during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The gymnast opened up to the host of the «Today» show about how therapy helped her and made her stronger before these games. After her win, Simone told journalists that she started her day with a therapy session. «In the morning, I started with therapy, so it was very nerve-wracking. I told her I felt calm and ready, and that’s exactly what happened», - she said. «After I finished my vault, I felt relief. I thought, 'Phew,' because there were no flashes or anything like that».
During the conversation with Hoda, the Olympic champion admitted that she considers therapy important, explaining that it is part of her daily life. «We used to think of therapy as weakness, and now I see it as strength. And if there’s someone who can help me deal with what I’m going through, then that’s what I need to do. And now it’s a daily part of my routine», - she said.
Simone opted out of individual competitions at the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health and combat the «twisties», - a psychological block that can disrupt a gymnast’s sense of perspective. «After the performance I did, I didn’t want to participate in other events, so I decided to take a step back», - she said in July 2021. «It's unfortunate that this happened at this stage, because I definitely wanted these Olympics to go a little better, but again, we’ll take them one day at a time and see how it goes. Physically, I feel good. I’m in shape. Emotionally, it changes depending on the time and moment».
Now Simone has returned and has already won a gold medal with the US women’s team in the all-around women’s competition
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
