Simone Biles: Bouncing Back

“Always work hard and have fun in what you do because I think that's when you're more successful. You have to choose to do it.” - Simone Biles

Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history, but at the peak of her career at the 2020 Olympics, she had to withdraw from several of her events and took a two-year break to recover from the twisties.

The twisties happen when a gymnast is in midair and loses their sense of where they are and how they’ll land, making the move risky. Biles described it as being "lost in the air."

When she took her break, many people sympathized with her and applauded her for addressing mental health, but many others took this time to take shots at her and criticize her for a lack of mental toughness.

This showed not only how a mental block can keep you from performing your best, but how many people will take any chance they get to knock you down.

People will build you up when you are climbing the mountain, but when you get to the top, those same people will tear you back down. On your journey, you will have to have the mental toughness to not only manage not only your own mental health and inner voice but also the outside noise.

Simone Biles recovered from the twisties with the help of therapy, hard work, and a focus on mental health. She also rediscovered her joy for the sport and set goals on her own terms.

Have a vision, create a plan, have the discipline to stick to the plan, and most importantly - enjoy the journey.

Reflection Question: What inner and outside noises are distracting you, and how can you overcome them?