As a former high school gymnast who is now coping with mental illness many years later, I cannot express how highly I think of Simone Biles and how grateful I am for her example. Dropping out of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics competition due to the “twisties,” (a condition where she could not distinguish her movements mid-air) she claimed to have mental illness. As 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience mental illness each year, I must applaud her for joining the ranks publicly with people who struggle with their brain and face the stigma associated with it. Mental illness has become a far more open discussion in the news since my diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder in 1999 at the University of Notre Dame as a sophomore. I had no role models and simply followed my clinician’s protocols. Now, I am writing a book called “My Brain Makes Me Proud,” to give people hope and insight into my 25 years of experience coping with mental illness.
Simone’s scenario certainly created a lot of buzz as she is regarded as the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) of gymnastics. Many stepped up to defend her as she faced much criticism for dropping out. I remember reading that someone in politics whom I didn’t recognize called her a “loser” on social media. She responded with who is so and so? I’m asking for everyone, not just me. Simone even declared her decision to drop out of the Tokyo competition a winning one. Who knows? With twisties, she could have seriously been injured performing highly dangerous and difficult gymnastics moves.
Despite her struggles, she did not give up. She eventually went back into the gym and underwent counseling, became the oldest gymnast to win the national title at age 27, won the world championships, and claimed three gold medals and a silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. To say the least, I was ecstatic to see her performing flips and routines that were unprecedented and more difficult than ever.
Simone, you made gymnastics greater than it could have ever been without you. You have written your story which is among the greatest in sports history. Bravo for taking care of yourself and working hard to win your championships in a splendid comeback no one could have accomplished but you.
Simone mentioned the morning of the individual all-around competition in Paris, which she won, that she talked with her counselor. For anybody facing difficulty, there is no shame in talking to a counselor. I’ve learned the value of counseling over the years as a lifetime commitment coping with my illness. I see counseling on a regular basis, and I do call in to my clinicians when I have to trouble-shoot a difficult situation or call in sick to my part-time work due to my occasional debilitating illness; and just like Simone in 2021, I have to call off from my duties and take care of myself.
My Brain Makes Me Proud 