Navigating Mental Health: Lessons from Simone Biles
Our fast-paced and demanding world can make it all too easy for us to feel overwhelmed by the pressures of life and the workplace. The toll these pressures can take on our mental health can often derail our trajectory towards success.
It's important to remember that even the most accomplished individuals face these struggles.
Take Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, who withdrew from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo citing mental health. Displaying conviction, self-awareness, and wisdom well beyond her 27-years, Simone is lifting the veil on her experience, and frankly discussing the dangers of pushing forward under immense pressure without being in a healthy mental state in her docuseries on Netflix, Simone Biles Rising.
Her journey offers valuable lessons on resilience, self-care, and the power of prioritising mental wellbeing.
What can we learn from Simone:
The Silent Battle Within
Pressures from work and daily life can often lead to a decline in mental health. The constant need to perform, meet deadlines, and excel in our respective fields can leave us feeling drained and overwhelmed. Just like Simone Biles, when she withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics, we too may face moments when the weight of expectations becomes too much to bear.
Acknowledging the Importance of Mental Health
Simone’s decision to prioritise her mental wellbeing sends a powerful message to us all. It highlights the need to acknowledge and address our mental health struggles rather than pushing through at the expense of our overall wellbeing. Just as physical injuries require rest and rehabilitation, our minds deserve the same attention and care.
The Journey to Resilience
Simone’s story reminds us that resilience is not about avoiding challenges but rather about how we bounce back from them.
In episode two she demonstrates immense strength by working hard to rebuild her skills, physical strength, and mental fortitude to overcome the ‘twisties’. These are moments where a gymnast experiences disorientation, and a disconnect between their body and mind that can disrupt their spatial awareness, leading to a loss of control and impacting their ability to land safely.
While we may not be performing a Yurchenko double pike vault at the Olympics, we each have our own challenges to face and overcome.
In an interview in 2021, following her exit from Tokyo, Biles was asked ‘If you could go back, [and change the outcome from Tokyo] would you?’
Biles says no and adds, “I learned a lot about myself — courage, resilience, how to say no and speak up for yourself.” We can take a note from Biles and undertake a journey of self-discovery and growth, learning to navigate life's pressures while nurturing our mental wellbeing.
Embracing Self-Care
Self-care is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It involves prioritising our mental and emotional health by setting boundaries, practising self-compassion, and engaging in activities that bring us joy and peace. Just as Simone dedicates herself to staying mentally well, we too can incorporate self-care practices, and champion mental wellness into our daily lives.
Simone’s unwavering commitment to her mental wellbeing serves as an inspiration to all of us. Her journey reminds us that while life and workplace pressures can sometimes derail us, we have the power to regain control of our trajectory and thrive.
As we eagerly await Simone Biles' comeback in the Paris 2024 Olympics, let her resilience and determination serve as a beacon of hope. Let us learn from her example and strive to cultivate a world where mental health is valued and supported. Remember, you have the power to shape your own narrative and overcome any obstacle that stands in your way.
If Simone Biles can rise above her mental health challenges and compete at the highest level, so can you. Take the first step towards prioritising your mental wellbeing today, and together we can steer your trajectory towards success, stronger than ever before.