Simone Biles Isn’t Ready to Talk About Legacy: ‘Usually If You’re Using the Word, It Means You’re Done’

As I reflect upon Simone Biles‘ journey, I am truly inspired by her strength, resilience, and vulnerability. Her story is not just about athletic achievements but also about mental wellness and self-care, which are crucial aspects of any individual’s life journey.


At premieres, there’s usually a lot of commotion when celebrities arrive – flashing camera bulbs and excited fans shouting their names. However, the cheers for Simone Biles, as she graced the blue carpet on Wednesday to unveil part 2 of her Netflix documentary “Simone Biles Rising”, were noticeably higher-pitched.

The Egyptian Theatre courtyard in Hollywood was filled with numerous young girls, aspiring to be just like Simone Biles, the most accomplished gymnast ever. As Taylor Swift’s hit “Look What You Made Me Do” played over the speakers (a hint at the floor routine that earned Biles her second all-around gold medal), she walked towards the crowd to sign autographs and snap photos with her fans.

Katie Walsh, director of ‘Simone Biles Rising,’ praised Biles by saying she is an inspiring figure for women, gymnasts, athletes, and people in general, who prioritize self-care, mental health, and personal well-being over external expectations. Walsh described Biles as a living embodiment of what we all strive to be: someone who conquers obstacles and rises above them.

Similar to Nastia Liukin, another Olympic all-around champion alongside Biles, was astonished by the grand reception. She admitted she never imagined walking the red carpet for a film centered around gymnastics. Liukin stated, “Gymnastics has always been a sport that captivates fans every four years, but Simone has elevated this to an unprecedented level.

Simone Biles, aged 27, has amassed an impressive collection of awards, including 11 Olympic medals (7 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze) and 30 medals at the World Championships, having won the all-around competition six times. Moreover, she’s played a significant role in fostering a new era where Black girls can excel in gymnastics. However, her influence extends well beyond these accomplishments.

Simone Biles Isn’t Ready to Talk About Legacy: ‘Usually If You’re Using the Word, It Means You’re Done’

Personally speaking, beyond the medals, she’s made a significant impact – not just on gymnastics, but on sports as a whole. Her achievements in Tokyo have truly reshaped our perspective.

At the 2020 Olympics, Biles was forced to withdraw from the team finals due to an episode of “twisties,” a potentially hazardous condition where a gymnast loses awareness in mid-air. For Biles, this disorientation was brought on by intense mental stress.

In my own words, I’d say:

The four-part documentary series encapsulates everything – from the nerve-wracking incident in Tokyo to Simone Biles’ triumphant return this summer at the Paris games. During the event, episode 4 was shown – the thrilling conclusion where Biles competes at the Paris Olympics and concludes her and Team USA’s “redemption tour” by earning four more medals. Her private ambition, known only to Simone Biles’ confidants and the filmmakers of “Simone Biles Rising,” was to win the Olympics with a team gold medal and the all-around gold medal. And she achieved it.

When asked about the most emotional segment to revisit in the documentary, Biles shared with EbMaster that she can’t recall exactly watching it.

She admitted, chuckling, “It’s been terrible,” she said, referring to the whirlwind of events post-Olympics. However, amidst the chaos, she recollected vividly one moment – watching it with her spouse. She became overwhelmed with emotion, finding it hard to believe that she had achieved everything. The experience was truly exhilarating.

Biles stated that understanding she’s contributed positively to mental health issues is incredibly significant for her.)

She emphasized that she has consistently been open, honest, and willing to be vulnerable, and intends to continue this dialogue as she believes it’s crucial. She expressed her hope that through this approach, she has positively impacted many individuals, and if possible, she will continue in this manner.

It was disclosed during a post-screening Q&A session, moderated by Scott Evans from “Access Hollywood” and “House Guest”, that Simone Biles has intricate sentiments about the subject of legacy. In their discussion, Evans brought up a conversation they had backstage, where Biles expressed her curiosity as to why the topic of “legacy” would arise.

Typically, when someone uses the term ‘legacy’, it implies completion. However, Simone Biles clarified that her journey isn’t finished yet, although she didn’t explicitly state if she intends to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Simone Biles Isn’t Ready to Talk About Legacy: ‘Usually If You’re Using the Word, It Means You’re Done’

In the course of their chat, Biles disclosed further details about her struggle with mental health issues and the reasons behind her reluctance to discuss specific aspects publicly.

As a movie-goer talking about myself, I’ve been selective about sharing with the media. They often asked questions like, “What was your morning routine?” If I responded “Therapy,” they would inquire further about my therapy sessions. However, those conversations were private and special to me because it’s my personal space, and what helps me might not help others.

In the documentary, she reveals that she sought therapy on the day of the all-around final in Paris, yet hesitated to disclose this openly, fearing it might give the impression that she was facing similar struggles as in Tokyo.

She explained, “For me, this was more about drawing on my strength – entering the situation, visualizing, conversing with her, whatever was required. It wasn’t a moment of weakness, it was a display of strength. I found it challenging because the media often portrayed it as if ‘Simone was in therapy,’ but then when I performed well, they switched to saying ‘Ah, Simone went to therapy!’

For gymnast Simone Biles, altering her perspective on mental health has been a significant process. At the start of her therapy sessions, she initially discontinued attendance after a few months due to feeling improved.

Biles clarified that she viewed her situation as a gymnastics-related injury. When someone gets hurt, typically they’d visit a doctor who might suggest recovery could take anywhere from three weeks to six months, or in some cases, surgery could be necessary.

It became clear to her that even after a year, she hadn’t completely recovered and felt the need to return. What she eventually understood was that maintaining mental health requires ongoing effort.

Everyone’s path is distinct and separate, and I firmly believe that therapy will be a part of my ongoing journey, and that’s perfectly fine. It doesn’t make me flawed. Instead, it showcases my resilience.” As the crowd cheered in approval, Biles emphasized: “You are worthy of help.

Simone Biles Isn’t Ready to Talk About Legacy: ‘Usually If You’re Using the Word, It Means You’re Done’

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2024-10-26 20:18