Simone Biles is an American gymnast who has been widely proclaimed as the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T.) in her sport.
She has multiple moves named after her because for years, she was the only one who could do them.
Now with a total of eight medals, after winning team gold at the Olympic games in Paris, Biles became the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history.
However, it was not long ago that she was heavily criticized for temporarily stepping away from the sport.
At the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Biles had what gymnasts call the “twisties,” when your body does not connect to your brain in the way it should. The twisties pose a serious threat to an athlete whose sport requires them to propel themselves in the air, twist around at top speed and land squarely on their feet. Losing control of your body mid-air can lead to serious injury or death.
During that time, many spectators exhibited very little sympathy. Before taking the time to better understand her condition, detractors said she not only let down her team, but the entire country. America was counting on her to lead them to victory.
Perhaps it was so jarring for the critics because it was one of the first times we had witnessed a young Black woman in her position place her own well-being above the needs of others.
For centuries during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, Black women in this country were literally bred to care for others. Afterward, many Black women were relegated to work as caregivers and maids.
For Biles to prioritize her own health, to step out of the centuries of messaging that her needs do not come first, it was a sight to behold.
Biles’ early exit from Tokyo was one of the bravest moves I have ever seen.
In that moment, she was simply a human being who needed a break. I can only imagine the mental fortitude she had to take that break in front of the millions of people who were watching and questioning her commitment.
Biles has obviously been committed to gymnastics since she was a child. She could not have accomplished so much without a world-class level of commitment.
But her commitment to herself in 2020 was even more impressive.
She came back for this historic win in July, which just happens to be Minority Mental Health Awareness Month.
Mental health does not mean that we always have it together. It means that during the times when we need support, we get it. When we need a break, we take a break. When we need to stop and care for ourselves, we do just that.
For us regular humans who just play the sport of life, there is still pressure to be successful, be there for other people and always be in a good mood. For people of color, there is added pressure from stereotypes, discrimination and systemic oppression.
All this pressure can sometimes be too much to handle. And it’s OK to say that and get help.
This year in Paris, Biles was victorious. She performed as expected, meaning better than any other athlete the sport has ever seen, and she led her team to winning Olympic gold.
I would venture to say that she was victorious in Tokyo, too.
I grew up watching Venus Williams, Serena’s big sister. I remember the interviews and tennis matches where she displayed a mental toughness that no one expected from a girl her age.
Williams repeatedly withstood criticisms from sports commentators, tennis fans and fellow athletes. Her strength in enduring this constant criticism was admirable.
There was no space in the sport for Williams to break down. She was a trailblazer who had to exude strength for any athlete who followed her.
I believe Biles has ushered in a new era of strength. We saw her disappointment and her tears, but we also saw her bounce back.
Biles proved she can take care of herself and still be the best. Better yet, because she took care of herself, she can be her best. And that may be the greatest lesson in self-care of all time.
Contact Editor-in-chief Camike Jones at 317-762-7850 or camikej@indyrecorder.com.
