For those who have no clue who Simone Biles is – she is what many (including myself) would describe as a once-in-a-lifetime athlete who is and has been performing at the highest caliber for over a decade. Simone is an American gymnast who has essentially been dominating the sport of gymnastics since stepping into the elite arena in 2011. By the time she went to her first Olympic Games in 2016, she had been the World Champion in Gymnastics since 2013. Adding her accomplishments from the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, where she earned four gold medals and a bronze medal for her performance on beam, she was the most decorated female gymnast in history.
As another certification of her brilliance within the sport, Simone has not one, or two, but FOUR skills named after her in the sport. In order to have the honor of having a skill named after you in a sport that has been in existence since the times of ancient Greece, you are required to (1) submit the skill to the sport’s governing body and then (2) complete this new skill without a large error (i.e. do not fall) at an international competition. Simone has done this four times: twice on floor, once on beam, and most recently – once on vault. All of these skills are things that literally did not exist in the sport of gymnastics until she did them.
By just about anyone’s objective standards, Simone was on top of the world. Because of the grace that Simone had handled the undoubted pressure that comes with being at “the top” for such a significant period of time and the societal expectations that come with the position – I doubt it ever crossed people’s minds that Simone was feeling anything but amazing.
In 2018, Simone came out publicly as one of the many victims of sexual assault at the hands of the disgraced doctor who was part of the gymnastics community. Despite the emotional toll that can take, Simone never missed a beat – continuing to compete at the top of her game, adding to the list of accomplishments on her resume. Then due to the COVID pandemic, the 2020 Olympics were postponed. This forced gymnasts, around the world who had dreamed of nothing more than competing for their country, to decide if they would try again in 2021 or not. Unlike other sports, gymnasts have a particularly short life span. Many gymnasts peak in there mid and late teens, with very few female gymnasts continuing into their twenties. In 2020, Simone was 23 years old. Yet again, Simone dug deep and decided to come back in 2021 for the Tokyo Olympics.
I have been in awe of Simone since seeing her in 2014. As a former gymnast, seeing the skills she performed with ease made my jaw drop every time. As she finished her floor routine in Rio, cementing the gold medal for the United States gymnastics team, I cried. In a sport where there were not many people (competitors, judges, coaches) that looked like me, it was indescribable to see this black female shine in this moment. With as emotional as that moment was, watching the events unfold in Tokyo was even more impactful.
Simone was by all accounts going to Tokyo to bring home all gold medals. In Rio, she claimed gold in the team, all-around, floor, and vault. She claimed bronze for her beam routine. Since Rio, Simone had improved on bars as well and became a contender for that event as well. During the team’s final competition, Simone withdrew. Instead of being down or thinking about herself, she supported her team however she could. Following the competition, she opened up about the stress and concerns she was having around her mental health. She decided to take some time away to truly care for herself. This seemed to come as a surprise. This was the first time Simone opened up about what she was going through. And it appears, society did not know how to react.
This August, after two years away from the sport, Simone returned to the competition floor. Everyone was ready and eager to see this phenom come back, and were curious if she would be as unbelievable as she had been before. By the end of the competition, all doubts were erased. Simone won the competition by 5 points – which in the world of gymnastics is unfathomable. She returned to a space all her own.
The most poignant part of seeing her return is that she said she had taken time away and focused on herself for the first time in a long time. She continues to do what she needs for her, including therapy, and really listening to herself. She is focused on being in the moment and not giving too much thought to the things that could lie ahead or the expectations and hopes of others.
What I took away from this, and what I hope others can take away, is that when things are too heavy – and that happens to all of us – it is ok to take a step away, dig into what you need as an individual, and focus on getting those things. It is not your burden to carry the expectations of others. Self-care is not selfish…it is necessary.
Something even better is awaiting you on the other side of introspection, self-assessment, and self-care – Peace.
If you or someone you know is going through a tough time when dealing with a separation, divorce or other family law matter, our Modern Legal Team is here to help.
Written by: Tiffany A. Byrd
Family is at the heart of everything I do, both personally and professionally. As a Family Law Attorney, I combine my passion for helping others with my unique journey—from growing up as the eldest child in a single-parent household to becoming the first attorney in my family. My experiences shaped my dedication to advocating for families in their most critical moments. Whether you’re building, protecting, or securing your family’s future, I’m here to help you find meaningful resolutions tailored to your needs.
