Simone Biles faced a moment of overwhelm during the Tokyo Olympics women’s team event, where she suffered from “the twisties.” She knew she needed to prioritize her mental health and withdrew from the competition, feeling like the world would hate her for it. In an interview with the Call Her Daddy podcast, Biles opened up about her initial fear of backlash and concerns about being banned from America if she did not win gold.
Despite these challenges, Biles came back to win bronze in the balance beam. However, she took a break from gymnastics to focus on her well-being. Last year, Biles returned to the sport and became the most decorated gymnast in history with 33 overall medals in the Olympics and world championships. Despite her success, she experienced “the twisties,” which caused a disconnect between her body and mind and affected her performance.
Biles described “the twisties” as a feeling similar to the yips in golf or baseball. In gymnastics, it can be dangerous because it can cause an athlete to lose control during a move, leading to potentially harmful landings. However, Biles is determined to overcome this challenge and continue her successful career, aiming to compete at the Paris Olympics later this year.
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