During a “Today” episode, gymnast Simone Biles detailed the gymnastics struggles that caused her to pull out of the Tokyo Olympics.
The gymnast is now back performing at the Gold Over America, which features an all-star cast of gymnasts. However, she shared that she only does her signature move on the floor exercise and does not perform any midair twisting in the show, NBC News reported.
“To do something that I’ve done forever and just not be able to do it because of everything I’ve gone through is really crazy because I love this sport so much,” she said, growing emotional. “It’s hard. I’m sorry. And I don’t think people understand the magnitude of what I go through, but for so many years to go through everything that I’ve gone through having a front, I’m proud of myself.”
Biles said her mental health issues triggered “the twisties,” disorientation in the air while she was competing, as the reason for her withdrawal from the Tokyo games after entering as a heavy favorite to win several gold medals.
Her struggles have remained.
“The twisting once I got back will come back, but I’m still scared to do gymnastics,” she said.
Biles wants to help others that struggle with mental health issues after sharing hers with the world this summer at the Olympics.
The superstar gymnast announced exclusively on “TODAY” that she is will be working with the mental health and telemedicine app Cerebral as its chief impact officer. She also has become an investor in the company.
Biles is prioritizing her mental health while on tour by seeing a therapist every week.
