I love watching the Olympics, especially the Opening and Closing Ceremonies! So, it wasn’t a surprise to my family that I ate dinner early snuggled up in bed in my hotel room in Puerto Rico, and watched the Opening Ceremonies this summer. I cheered, was awed, and marveled at the celebration the city of Paris was putting on for the world! It was amazing!
I also love watching the athletes compete, especially Team USA! Once athletes are done with their competitions, they have the opportunity to watch others compete in theirs and cheer them on. And, if you know anything about the Summer Olympics, you know that the hottest ticket is Women’s Gymnastics. This year was no exception.
Celebrities Cheering for Simone
Not only were other athletes from Team USA in attendance, but stars like Serena Williams, Michael Phelps, Marissa Hargitay, Nicole Kidman, Snoop Dog, Lady Gaga, and Ariana Grande were there. The biggest draw for this year’s gymnastics events was Simone Biles.
Veteran Gymnast
Simone Biles was only 19 years old when she went for her first Olympics. By 2024, she was 27, making her the oldest gymnast to compete for the USA since the 1952 Olympics. Prior to this summer’s Olympics, Biles had won 7 Olympic Gold Medals, 23 World Championships, 2 Pacific Rim Championships, and a total of 11 more silver and bronze medals at these events for a total of 43 medals! And in Paris she won another 3 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal. With her total of 11 Olympic medals and 30 Wold Championship medals, she has become the most decorated gymnast in history! She is considered by many to be one of the greatest gymnasts and Olympians of all time! But her path to Paris could have been cut short.
Not Quite Right
Biles was the heavy favorite going into the Tokyo Games in 2020 but she withdrew from much of the competition. She was having trouble during warm ups and during the team competition, she balked in mid-air while doing her vault. She was supposed to complete 2.5 twists, but only completed 1.5. Those watching her knew right away that something was off. It was discovered that she was dealing with a psychological phenomenon called the “twisties.” In other sports, it has been referred to as “the yips.”
Twisties
The word twisties may sound playful and fun, but the condition is far from that. In fact it’s a serious condition that could result in severe injury. “This phenomenon occurs when a gymnast experiences a disconnect between her body and mind while performing skills, like twists, in competition. It can cause a gymnast to lose her sense of space and air awareness while executing a routine, potentially causing her to do more or fewer twists or flips than intended.” (Ref Craig Meyer, USA Today, 2024)
After her botched vault, Simone Biles left the competition floor and eventually withdrew from the team finals. And in the ensuing days, she withdrew from the uneven bars, vault, and floor exercise competitions – two of which she had won gold medals in during the 2016 Olympics. After withdrawing, Biles stated that she was not physically injured, but was prioritizing her mental health and didn’t want to jeopardize her team’s chance of winning a medal. Biles went on to say that, “we have to protect our minds and our bodies and not just go out and do what the world wants us to do. We’re not just athletes. We’re people at the end of the day and sometimes you just have to step back.”
Taking Time for Herself
Many gymnasts who had dealt with the twisties praised Biles for taking care of herself. Although, many outside of the gymnastics world labeled her a “quitter.” Biles later wrote that she “literally could not tell up from down and what’s scarier is since I have no idea where I am in the air, I also have NO idea how I’m going to land.” Not that she had to justify her decision to leave the Olympic competition.
Better, Stronger, Best in the World
But, after taking time off for her mental health, seeing a therapist, and developing good mental habits and boundaries, she came back to gymnastics and showed the nay-sayers that she was no quitter. In fact, she came back better and stronger than ever – she’s THE BEST in THE WORLD!
What can we learn from Simone Biles and her journey? That it’s okay to take a step back and take time for our mental health. Sometimes we just need to be quiet and get away from the fast pace of life. Sometimes we need to figure out why we feel the way we do whether that’s depression, aggression, or even fatigue. Sometimes we need to talk to someone outside of our family and friends. Sometimes we need to learn new skills that help us help ourselves. And, all of this is okay!
My Personal Experience
After coming home from Iraq and literally having rockets and mortars dropped overhead nearly every day, I had a weird reaction to an award I was getting. I called in sick and didn’t want to come to drill, but was coaxed into doing so in order to receive my award. Luckily, my wife figured out that something more serious was going on than stage-fright and immediately took me to the doctor that day. That visit eventually turned into a two-year journey of mental health healing for me that also included anti-depressants. I received the help and support I needed from my friends, family, and my unit. Without all of them, I would not be where I am today. They knew that my mental health problems didn’t define me. They instead helped me find ways to get better and I did! And I came back stronger for it.
So, I encourage you to take time out for yourself. Re-evaluate where you are and how you are feeling. Do you need to take a break from something? Do you need to slow down? Do you need someone to talk to?
Remember, we’re not just employees, friends, parents, coaches, or the million other things we do. We are people at the end of the day and sometimes we need to just step back.
And, I’m here to say to you that stepping back is okay.
Mental health issues do not make you weak and taking time out for yourself does not make you a quitter. It’s just the opposite! Recognizing and seeking help with your mental health makes you strong and smart! And, in the long run, you will become the best version of yourself you can possibly be!
If you need someone to talk to, feel free to contact someone. There are many free online, text, and phone counselors available. Check out this link to get started. They are there for you!
