Simone Biles concluded her time in Paris with four additional Olympic medals after successfully navigating the ‘Twisties’ that impacted her during the Tokyo 2020 Games.
During an appearance on NBC’s Today Show, Biles discussed the importance of her regular visualization sessions with her therapist.
‘I made it a point to see my therapist frequently,’ she shared on Tuesday. ‘I had sessions about three or four times throughout this entire journey. It didn’t matter whether it was before the competitions or after qualifications, I made sure to take the time to connect with my therapist because it’s become a part of my routine.’
The results were evident. Biles managed to secure one bronze medal three years ago in Tokyo, where she withdrew from some events due to the twisties – a condition that disrupts a gymnast’s spatial awareness, posing significant risks during routines.
However, thanks to her ongoing therapy in Paris, Biles claimed gold in the team competition, all-around, and vault, and also earned silver in the floor exercise.
Biles displays the three gold medals and one silver she earned at the 2024 Paris Olympics
Simone Biles celebrates her four Olympic medals in Paris.
‘The therapy really gave me the confidence I needed,’ Biles remarked about her sessions. ‘We focus a lot on visualization before competitions, which helps me feel more prepared and self-assured. It’s become such a regular part of my life that I didn’t want to stop just because I was across the globe.’
Biles recently shared her experiences with anxiety throughout the Olympics in a video that documented her preparations for a fantastic all-around gold medal triumph.
In a TikTok video filmed before her big win, the 27-year-old gave viewers a glimpse into her daily routine in the Olympic village, captioning the clip: ‘Join me in getting ready for all-around finals @ the Olympics.’
While applying her makeup before her next event, she openly discussed her emotions and challenges while competing at the elite level.
‘I feel really nervous, which is completely normal,’ she admitted. ‘I had therapy first thing this morning, and it helped me feel a bit more at ease. I’ve put in a lot of mental effort to reach this pivotal moment.’
‘As I prepare for vault, I’m feeling particularly anxious because I want to ensure I don’t push myself too hard.’
Biles competes in the Women’s Balance Beam Final on the tenth day of the Olympics.
Biles also talked about her preference to stay away from the Olympic village in Paris, explaining that she felt overwhelmed by fans eager to get pictures with her.
‘I haven’t spent much time in the Olympic village,’ she revealed. ‘On our first day here, I ventured into the cafeteria and was bombarded with requests for selfies. When I finally sat down to eat, my anxiety skyrocketed, and I couldn’t stop shaking.’
‘I was so overwhelmed. I went to meet up with a friend, but after that first day, I hadn’t returned to the cafeteria for five days.’
‘Now I just go to the store for groceries and stay in my room because that makes me feel less anxious.’
Biles has openly discussed her mental health challenges while achieving remarkable success in her sport.
During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, she stepped back from the competition citing mental health concerns and later shared her struggles with the ‘twisties’ – a psychological condition affecting a gymnast’s awareness of their body, especially during rotations.
In a June interview with NBC, Biles mentioned that seeing her therapist every Thursday ‘has become a cornerstone for me,’ and she maintained this practice in Paris.
