Simone Biles’ Shocking Struggle: The Untold Truth Behind the ‘Twisties’ and the Mental Health Crisis in Elite Sports
In a recent revelation from Aimee Boorman, the former coach of renowned gymnast Simone Biles, the world gained insight into the psychological challenges that have shadowed the athlete throughout her illustrious career. In her new book, “The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles,” Boorman discusses the phenomenon known as the “twisties,” a disorienting condition that has plagued Biles at critical moments in her gymnastics journey, including during the highly publicized Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Simone Biles' Shocking Struggle: The Untold Truth Behind the 'Twisties'
The twisties, a term familiar to gymnasts and feared by many, refers to a state where an athlete loses their sense of orientation while airborne, leading to a potential for serious accidents. Boorman notes that this condition was not a sudden onset for Biles but rather a recurring issue that began to manifest after her triumph at the World Gymnastics Championships in 2015, where she earned an impressive four gold medals.
“Simone couldn’t twist — on basically anything,” Boorman recounts in her book, explaining how the gymnast would often catch herself mid-routine, halting her movements out of fear of losing control. Instead of executing the intricate twists that characterized her routines, Biles opted to hold back, prioritizing her safety over her performance. “Simone would never crash; she would just stop herself before ever attempting a twist,” Boorman elaborates, highlighting the psychological battles that often go unnoticed in the world of elite sports.
This troubling experience came to a head as Biles prepared for the 2016 Olympic Trials, where, after seeking therapy and conferring with her family, she managed to regain her confidence and execute twists once more. “Thankfully the twisties had passed without injury,” Boorman reflects, adding that this episode demonstrated that even elite gymnasts can take breaks from certain elements without losing their overall skills.
Biles triumphed at the Rio Olympics, securing four gold medals and solidifying her status as one of the greatest gymnasts in history. However, the specter of the twisties returned during the Tokyo Games in 2021, where she was once again faced with the daunting challenge of competing under the pressure of her own mind.
Laurent Landi, Biles’ current coach, recognized that something was amiss during a warm-up session in Tokyo. “I look at her face, and she pretends, ‘I’m fine, I’m fine,’” Landi recalls in the Netflix documentary “Simone Biles Rising.” His intuition proved correct, as Biles struggled with her landing and subsequently withdrew from the team competition, sparking a media frenzy that questioned her capabilities and led her to deeply reflect on her mental health.
“I knew from that very moment it wasn’t like one time and done. You can feel it in your head,” Biles later expressed, revealing the weight of anxiety she carried as she grappled with the implications of her mental state. “How am I supposed to tell them that this is bad, bad?” she pondered, encapsulating the internal conflict faced by many athletes who feel compelled to perform despite their struggles.
The gymnast described the moment as eerily isolating, likening it to “death” in its silence. “If I could have run out of that stadium, I would have,” she admitted. Yet Biles resolved to maintain her composure, striving to manage the situation while feeling an overwhelming urge to escape. In a subsequent confessional, she opened up about the mental blocks she had recently encountered, candidly stating that the experience had been both “scary” and challenging.
Despite the emotional toll of the Tokyo Games, Biles made a triumphant return to the international gymnastics scene at the Paris Olympics three years later. With renowned poise and skill, she captured four medals, three of which were gold, further solidifying her legacy as the most decorated gymnast in history.
Biles’ journey is a striking reminder of the immense pressure that elite athletes face, not only in their physical performances but also in navigating the psychological complexities that often accompany their careers. The twisties, as illustrated by Boorman’s insights, serve as a poignant metaphor for the struggles that many athletes endure, showcasing the importance of mental health awareness in sports.
As the conversation surrounding mental health continues to evolve, Biles’ candidness about her experiences may pave the way for greater understanding and support for athletes grappling with similar challenges. The gymnastics community, alongside fans and spectators, has the opportunity to learn from Biles’ story, fostering an environment that prioritizes the well-being of athletes while also celebrating their extraordinary achievements.
In the wake of Biles’ revelations, it is clear that the road to success in gymnastics—and in sports as a whole—is not merely a physical journey. It is also a mental one, fraught with obstacles that can be just as formidable as the physical challenges athletes face in their respective disciplines. As the world watches and learns from Biles’ experiences, the hope is that future generations of athletes will feel empowered to prioritize their mental health and seek support when needed, ultimately enriching the world of sports for everyone involved.
