"I'm not the poster child for it" - Simone Biles opens up on becoming a role model for mental health advocacy

Simone Biles clarified that she doesn't represent mental health awareness but supports individuals on their personal journeys. The 27-year-old withdrew from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to 'twisties' and has since advocated for mental health awareness, inspiring a younger generation.

Biles headlined the US women's gymnastics team at the 2024 Paris Games where she won the team, all-around, and vault competitions and took silver in the floor exercise. While she made waves in her third edition of the Olympics, her previous Olympic stint in Tokyo was marred by a mental block called 'twisties'.

She first encountered the 'twisties' during the vault warm-up before the team finals, leading to her withdrawal from the all-around finals. Despite the challenges, Biles managed to win bronze on the balance beam before withdrawing midway through the event. Since the Olympics, she has become a vocal advocate for mental health, sharing her experiences to inspire a younger generation and emphasizing the importance of therapy.

In a recent interview with CNN, she clarified that she is not the 'poster child' of mental health awareness but said that she was open to helping others in their unique journeys.

"Everybody’s mental health journey is unique. I’m not the poster child for it, but I’ll support (anyone’s) mental health journey," she said to CNN's correspondent, Coy Wire.

The 11-time Olympic medalist further added:

“Now people come up to me and they’re like, ‘I’ve been in therapy for the first time in my life, and thank you so much. There’s power in that. And I just know I’m helping people out there.”

Biles concluded the second edition of the Gold Over America tour on November 3, 2024, in Detroit, Michigan.

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Jordan Chiles shared how Simone Biles' Tokyo Olympic setback helped all of the others in their own journeys

Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles at the Olympic Games Paris 2024: (Source: Getty)

Jordan Chiles, who trains at the same gym as Simone Biles, has always been closely connected to the latter, especially during the latter's struggles in Tokyo. In an interview with CNN, Chiles revealed how Biles addressing her mental health issues made others' journeys easier.

"Being in that position that she was in during that time frame and her being vulnerable, it just made it even better for, not just me, but everybody around us. (And) not just in our sport, but (for) people in general,” the 23-year-old said.

She added:

“And having somebody like her, whether people see it or don’t see it – and I’ve been behind the scenes of what she’s gone through – it’s definitely cool to finally see that people are understanding where she’s coming from, not just as an athlete, but also as a human.”

Chiles accompanied Biles to the Paris Olympics, contributing scores to the team competition. However, she forfeited her floor exercise bronze medal due to an ongoing controversy.