The seven-time Olympic medallist reflects on the sacrifices, therapy, and hard-won confidence that fuelled her historic return to the top of the podium in Paris one year ago. Simone Biles missed Sunday dinner with her family. That’s how serious her quest for redemption got.
As the gymnastics superstar prepared for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, she says one of the biggest changes she made in her approach to life, training, and competition was learning to say no. “We were always really big on Sunday dinner and all this stuff,” Biles told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview to mark the one-year anniversary of her gold medal win in the all-around final in Paris. “I just didn’t have that much energy to give… I wanted to give all the energy into the gym.”
A tight-knit family, the Bileses’ Sunday dinners have been a major part of her life for as long as Biles has been on the gymnastics scene – a tradition that survived even a global pandemic, when Nellie, Biles’ mother, dropped off meals curbside before having everyone convene over FaceTime. But as her third Olympic Games loomed, Biles began to draw lines in the sand. “If you ask [coaches] Cécile and Laurent [Landi], they would definitely be like, ‘We saw her set so many boundaries and that was in her personal life,’” she said. “Whenever I came home, I just set so many boundaries, like I’m not gonna be doing this, this, this. I will go out to lunch here and there with my friends, just to also fill my tank back up, but other than that, it’s like, I’m not doing any extra stuff that’s not needed.”
The seven-time Olympic medallist reflects on the sacrifices, therapy, and hard-won confidence that fuelled her historic return to the top of the podium in Paris one year ago. Simone Biles missed Sunday dinner with her family. That’s how serious her quest for redemption got.
As the gymnastics superstar prepared for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, she says one of the biggest changes she made in her approach to life, training, and competition was learning to say no. “We were always really big on Sunday dinner and all this stuff,” Biles told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview to mark the one-year anniversary of her gold medal win in the all-around final in Paris. “I just didn’t have that much energy to give… I wanted to give all the energy into the gym.”
A tight-knit family, the Bileses’ Sunday dinners have been a major part of her life for as long as Biles has been on the gymnastics scene – a tradition that survived even a global pandemic, when Nellie, Biles’ mother, dropped off meals curbside before having everyone convene over FaceTime. But as her third Olympic Games loomed, Biles began to draw lines in the sand. “If you ask [coaches] Cécile and Laurent [Landi], they would definitely be like, ‘We saw her set so many boundaries and that was in her personal life,’” she said. “Whenever I came home, I just set so many boundaries, like I’m not gonna be doing this, this, this. I will go out to lunch here and there with my friends, just to also fill my tank back up, but other than that, it’s like, I’m not doing any extra stuff that’s not needed.”
The Gold Medal Move No One Saw Coming
Let’s be honest—when most people think “Olympic champion,” they think sweat, sacrifice, and a relentless drive to push past limits. But what happens when the biggest win isn’t a medal, but walking away before you break?
That’s exactly what Simone Biles did. In a world that glorifies overworking and “toughing it out,” Biles flipped the narrative. By choosing mental health over medals, she didn’t just step back—she stepped into history. Let’s dive into how setting boundaries instead of chasing burnout led this gymnastics superstar to a legacy far greater than gold.
The Pressure Cooker of Olympic Glory
Life in the Spotlight—A Double-Edged Sword
Simone Biles wasn’t just another gymnast at the Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) Olympics. She was the gymnast—expected to win, dominate, and outperform. But behind those gravity-defying flips was a woman crumbling under pressure. The weight of expectations? Crushing. The world wasn’t just watching; it was demanding perfection.
More Than Just Physical Strain
Let’s clear something up: gymnastics isn’t just about flexibility and strength—it’s about mental clarity. One misstep can mean injury or worse. When Biles started experiencing the “twisties”—a dangerous disconnect between body and brain—she knew something was wrong.
The Twisties—A Mental Block That Could Break a Body
What Are the Twisties, Anyway?
Imagine being mid-air and suddenly forgetting which way is up. That’s the twisties. For a gymnast, it’s terrifying—and dangerous.
Biles could’ve pushed through. She didn’t. And that’s where the story changes.
Stepping Down, Not Stepping Out
Instead of risking injury or faking it through the pain, Biles chose to withdraw from several Olympic events. The media exploded. Opinions flew.
But here’s the thing—her choice was a win for every athlete and human struggling with mental health.
Boundaries Over Burnout—A Radical Olympic Move
Redefining Strength in Sports
We’ve been fed this narrative: tough it out. Don’t quit. Winners never walk away.
But what if walking away is the strongest move of all?
Simone Biles proved that strength isn’t just about muscles—it’s about mindset.
Burnout: The Silent Performance Killer
Athletes face burnout too. And it doesn’t always look like exhaustion—it can be emotional numbness, anxiety, even disconnection.
By hitting pause, Biles sent a message: You can’t pour from an empty cup.
The Comeback—Simone’s Bronze and Beyond
A Medal with a Message
Though she withdrew from most events, Simone came back to compete on the balance beam—and snagged a bronze medal.
It wasn’t about the color of the medal. It was about the courage it took to return on her own terms.
History Made—On Her Own Timeline
This was more than a comeback. It was a reclamation. Simone Biles rewrote the playbook: mental health first, medals second.
The Bigger Picture—What Biles Did for the World
Shifting the Mental Health Conversation
Thanks to Biles, mental health in sports is no longer a whispered concern—it’s a global headline.
Athletes like Naomi Osaka, Michael Phelps, and countless others have echoed her sentiments. She opened the floodgates for a more honest dialogue.
The Simone Effect—Ripples Beyond Gymnastics
Schools, workplaces, and even corporate boardrooms are using her story to emphasize boundaries, balance, and well-being.
Simone Biles didn’t just raise the bar in gymnastics—she raised it for self-care and emotional intelligence.
Lessons from Simone’s Brave Choice
You’re Allowed to Step Back
We’re all juggling life, work, relationships. And like Simone, we sometimes reach that edge.
What if, instead of pushing harder, you gave yourself permission to pause?
Boundaries Are a Superpower
Boundaries aren’t barriers—they’re bridges to better performance. Simone taught us that saying “no” can be the most powerful yes to ourselves.
Mental Health Is Health, Period
Let’s stop separating mental health from physical health. They’re two sides of the same coin—and Simone made that undeniably clear.
Behind the Fame—The Human Side of Simone Biles
Childhood Trauma and Foster Care
Simone’s strength didn’t start in the gym. Born into hardship, placed in foster care, and later adopted by her grandparents, Biles’ resilience was forged early.
Gymnastics as an Outlet and Burden
While gymnastics gave her purpose, it also became a pressure cooker. Her journey proves that even your passion can drain you if you don’t recharge.
Speaking Out on Abuse and Empowerment
Let’s not forget—Biles was one of many brave women who spoke out against sexual abuse in USA Gymnastics. Her honesty paved the way for transparency and reform in the sport.
From Athlete to Advocate
Using Her Platform for Good
Simone didn’t just walk the talk—she ran with it. She’s now a vocal advocate for:
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Mental health awareness
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Survivor support
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Athlete safety
Championing Change in Gymnastics
Biles is pushing for systemic change in the sport she loves. Safer environments. Better coaching. And yes—more emphasis on mental well-being.
Simone Biles: The Legacy Beyond Medals
What Will We Remember Most?
Her flips? Sure. Her records? Absolutely. But what truly endures is this:
She showed the world that real champions put themselves first—without apology.
An Inspiration for Every Generation
Kids today are growing up with a different kind of hero. One who knows her worth. One who chose boundaries. One who became historic—not in spite of stepping back, but because of it.
Conclusion: The Gold Standard of Self-Care
Simone Biles didn’t just change gymnastics. She changed how we define greatness. Her brave decision to prioritize her mental health over societal pressure wasn’t a retreat—it was a revolution.
She proved that you don’t have to break to win. And by choosing boundaries, she beat burnout—and made Olympic history.
