Gymnast Simone Biles spoke about her ongoing struggles with mental health and the “twisties” on Thursday, revealing that she still feels “scared to do gymnastics” after the Tokyo Olympics. We often think of athletes as superheroes — immune to fear, pressure, or pain. But what happens when even the strongest break down? That’s exactly what Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, revealed in a heart-wrenching interview that reminded the world: she’s human too. In a deeply emotional and raw conversation, Simone admitted she’s still scared to do gymnastics. This article dives into her story, her journey through mental health, and why her truth matters more than any gold medal ever could.
During an interview on “Today,” Biles was asked about her recent Senate testimony against former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, who sexually abused her and hundreds of other child athletes under the guise of medical treatment. “Over the years, after suppressing so many emotions and putting up a front on a global scene, I think really all of that came to light [at the Olympics],” she told host Hoda Kotb. “My body and my mind allowed me to suppress all of that stuff for so many years,” she continued, adding that it all “cracked” under the pressure of the Olympic stage.
Biles pulled out of the gymnastic team final in Tokyo and later withdrew from five individual finals. She said she’d been suffering from mid-air disorientation, known in gymnastic circles as the “twisties,” triggered by her mental health issues. Biles, who is currently taking part in the Gold Over America Tour, said she still isn’t doing twists during her performances. “I don’t twist [on tour],” she said. “I do double lay half-outs, which is my signature move on the floor. That’s never affected me. But everything else weighs so heavy, and I watch the girls do it and it’s not the same.”
Biles said it was difficult not being able to do something she’d been doing for so long because of everything she’d been through. “I’m proud of myself and I’m happy that I can be a leader for the survivors and bring courage to everybody speaking up, so I’m happy to be a voice for them,” she said. “But we go through our own things, and it’s hard, but the twisting … will come back. But I’m still scared to do gymnastics.” Biles appeared on “Today” to discuss her partnership with Cerebral, a mental health telemedicine app. She said she’s been in therapy through the app while on the road for the GOAT tour.
Let’s be real: Simone Biles has already won. Not just in medals, but in hearts. By saying “I’m still scared,” she gave millions the courage to speak up about their own fears. She’s more than a gymnast. She’s a trailblazer, a truth-teller, and a symbol of what it means to fight for yourself. Whether she competes again or not, her legacy is already cemented — not just in gymnastics history, but in the broader fight for mental health awareness.
