"I've always wanted to do that with my fan base and for them to see me as human" - Simone Biles on Tokyo Olympics making her "raw vulnerable"

Simone Biles recently expressed how her experiences at the Tokyo Olympics turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Biles withdrew from competing in the final event at the Tokyo Games to prioritize her mental health.

The legendary gymnast experienced "twisties," a phenomenon wherein a gymnast loses sync between the body and mind while performing an aerial maneuver. Three years after withdrawing from competing in the individual all-around final and the vault and uneven bars medal events in Tokyo, Biles proved her legacy in Paris by clinching three gold and one silver medal.

In an interview with NESN in the wake of her Olympic feat, she reflected on the Tokyo incident, referring to it as a silver lining. Biles stated that although the incident was challenging at the time, it ultimately helped her grow and become more stable.

The most decorated American gymnast conveyed that the occurrence helped her connect with fans deeply and shared her struggle openly, encouraging others to seek the help they need.

"I think it was true really a blessing in disguise because if what didn't happen in Tokyo I truly don't believe I'd be in a mentally stable position and I also believe I wouldn't be able to get on my social media platforms and share my story with people and resonate with them and encourage them to get the help that they deserve," Biles said. (4:30 onwards)

"So, I'm really blessed and grateful that that played out that way and grateful that I got to share my story and be raw vulnerable and open and honest because I've always wanted to do that with my fan base and for them to see me as human rather than just Simone Biles and I think they saw just that. Yeah it was really nice," she added.

"It's paid off" - Simone Biles attributes her Paris Games success to mental health care

Simone Biles during the Olympic Games in Paris, France. (Photo via Getty Images)

Simone Biles bagged three gold medals in the women's team, individual all-around, and vault events, and a silver medal in the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics.

Since the Tokyo Games, she has been vocal about prioritizing mental health and has never been shy to admit to taking help from therapy. The legendary gymnast sought assistance from therapy sessions during the recent Games.

While speaking to the Olympics.com during the Games, she stated that working on mental health through the years yielded her positive results.

“After all these years of putting the mental work in, it’s paid off," Simone Biles said

Biles attended her therapy sessions ahead of the women’s team and all-around finals at the Paris Games.