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Watch Simone Biles's Honest Interview as She Shares, "I'm Still Scared to Do Gymnastics"

21/10/2021 - 09:55 PM


Simone Biles says she's 'still scared to do gymnastics' in honest interview with Hodahttps://t.co/X71lJM976S [1]

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 21, 2021 [2]

Watch this emotional and inspiring interview with Simone Biles [3] on Today [4] as she talked with Hoda Kotb about her recent and ongoing mental health and gymnastics struggles. At the Tokyo Olympics [5], the mental health issues that triggered the disorienting "twisties," [6] forcing her to decide to withdraw from some of the competitions [7] for her safety, brought light to the importance of Biles prioritising her mental well-being [8].

Biles has worked so hard to get to this point in her gymnastics career, and although she's received so much love and support [9], she admitted that this has been hard. She told Kotb, "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." Through tears, she went on, "It's hard . . . 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." She's happy that she can be a leader for the survivors of Larry Nassar's abuse [10] and bring courage and a voice to others who spoke up [11] about the abuse, and Kotb said she's been such an inspiration to others.

Kotb asked about her experience with the "twisties," and Biles got emotional in the interview when she shared, "I"m still scared to do gymnastics." So for now, her performances have shifted a little to focus on what she can do like the double layout with a half twist [12]. But Biles has faith that she'll be able to twist again and said she's feeling better as she focuses more on her mental health.

Biles has partnered [13] with a mental health and telemedicine app called Cerebral [14]. It's a mental health subscription platform that offers telehealth visits with medical professionals, care counselors, and licenced therapists, as well as medication management for conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and insomnia, for a flat monthly fee of $80 ($30 for the first month). She said it's been great on the road, having access to the therapy she needs every week, while on the Gold Over America Tour [15]. Other self-care techniques she uses are taking daily walks, being outside, and connecting with people on social media. Of course, she said, a little retail therapy doesn't hurt, either!


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https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fitness/simone-biles-today-show-interview-scared-to-do-gymnastics-48565789