This Is What Simone Biles Added to Her Routine Leading to Her Olympic Gold Win

Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history, opened up in a podcast interview about the crucial role of mental health in her life. She also revealed how one routine has been instrumental in her journey.

Simone Biles may be known for her rigorous training, but there's one routine she remains consistently committed to now. In a recent "Making Space with Hoda Kotb" podcast, Biles discussed her personal growth and the transformative impact of going to therapy.

In the podcast, host Hoda Kotb told Biles, "You don't bury things anymore. You speak them out loud. You talk about therapy, where you are, where you're going. Tell me about this part of you."

Biles responded, "I've always tried to stay authentic to myself, so I feel like the new me, I'm a little bit older, more mature, so just being unapologetically me."

She also discussed her struggles, including the "twisties," a mental block that disrupts gymnasts' spatial awareness. She explained how therapy has brought her a sense of freedom.

"I feel a lot more free, especially going to therapy and doing those sessions so that physically and mentally I feel better, and I know that's an important part of my routine. So just staying on top of that, it lightens the load a lot," she said.

Kotb asked about a tattoo on Biles' shoulder that reads "And still I rise," the title of a poem by the late author Maya Angelou. She wondered if the tattoo served as a mantra after the Tokyo Olympics.

Biles shared, "I wanted it to be a reminder, something that I can see in the mirror every single day, whenever I get dressed and stuff like that, so it's been sticking and I kinda like it."

The acclaimed gymnast emphasized that staying true to herself and being relatable to others is what matters most to her. Reflecting on her mental health journey, she highlighted how therapy has helped her confront her "demons."

In the past, Biles used to push her trauma down. She said, "Now I've learned to speak on it and kind of release that. So that's really helped me, and that's why I'm doing what I'm doing today]."

She emphasized the importance of therapy. "I think we used to think of therapy as a weakness, and now I think of it as a strength. And if there's somebody who can help me deal with what I'm going through, then that's what I need to do. And now it's a daily part of my routine," she explained.

Beyond her focus on therapy, Biles has also reached significant personal milestones. At 27, she is a proud wife to football player Jonathan Owens and a homeowner. During the podcast, Kotb asked Biles if anyone had told her she might be too old to accomplish these things.

Biles responded that she didn't receive direct criticism but sensed some doubts or speculations about her age and career. She observed that in the past, there was a belief that gymnasts would peak early in their careers. However, she now sees a shift in perspective.

She cited an example of her teammate, Hezly Rivera. Biles shared, "She's 16 and I look at her like 'Wow, she has such a long career ahead of her.' Rather before, years ago, we were like 'Oh, wow, she's gonna max out, she's gonna peak,' you know what I'm saying. So now, it's just turning that page..."

The seasoned gymnast also finds this evolution in thinking exciting and refreshing, noting that her team consists mostly of older athletes.

In addition to embracing this new perspective, Biles stressed the importance of integrating mental health care into her training regimen. In an October 2023 interview with the Olympics, she revealed that she schedules weekly therapy sessions to maintain a healthy balance between her physical and mental well-being.

"I think it's just really important that I'm taking care of my mind as much as I do my body, especially in this sport and outside of the sport. So just being real active in that," she emphasized, highlighting the crucial role of mental health in achieving peak athletic performance.

In light of recent rumors about her potential retirement, Biles clarified on social media in September 2022, that she is not. "I haven’t retired though 💖 just working on my mental health," she shared on X, formerly Twitter.

Instead of stepping down, Biles continues her gymnastics journey by competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, in a June 2021 Glamour interview, she reflected on the idea of retiring after competing in two Olympics. "I'm just really excited to see what’s out there in the world and to see what else I'm good at," she said.

Despite her initial plans, she was considering a return, with the 2024 Paris Olympics on her mind. "My coaches Cecile and Laurent are from Paris, so I think that would be a good run to end with them there..."I’ll see where we go," she added in the interview.

Reflecting on her illustrious career, Biles remarked, "I've already done quite a lot, but I'm still trying to reach new heights and see what I’m capable of." This drive for excellence was evident in May 2021 when she became the first woman to successfully perform a Yurchenko double pike — a challenging vault with a straight-legged double backflip — in competition.

Despite the acclaim for her athletic achievements, Biles hopes to be remembered not just for her skills but also for how happy she was while participating in the sport.

As Biles continues to captivate fans with her performances at this year's Paris Olympics, she has also faced unexpected criticisms about her hair. Despite her impressive achievements, she didn't hesitate to address her critics.

The star athlete recently posted a video to her Instagram story, sharing a light-hearted yet firm message, "don't come for me about my hair [sic]."

Seated on a bus and dealing with soaring temperatures, Biles explained, "IT WAS DONE but bus has NO AC & it's like 9,0000 degrees." She added, "oh & a 45 min ride [sic]."

Biles was more direct in another post, stating, "gonna hold my hand when I say this...next time you wanna comment on a black girls hair. JUST DON'T [sic]." Her statement led to various reactions on social media.

One frustrated viewer vented, "Simone Biles hair never being done properly be pissing me off. Everybody else on the team is put together, then she looks like she just rolled out of bed 🤦🏽[sic]."

Another echoed this viewpoint, albeit with a hint of concern, "Her hair looks broke off , fried, and unhealthy. I don’t think anyone is trying to be mean , if anything it’s black women giving advice . She is the best gymnast ever and she has the means to attain healthy hair . Why not look and be your best simultaneously [sic]?"

Yet, the love for Simone shone through even in critiques. "I'm just trying to figure out why Simone Biles hair never done ? Like girllll come on 🙄 STILL LOVE HER AND HOPE SHE DOES GREAT [sic]!" expressed one fan.

On the other hand, many defended Biles, highlighting the physical demands of her sport. "I'm so sick of people coming for Simone Biles’s hair as if she's not flipping in the air at the speed of light out there," one defender retorted.

"Simone Biles is focused on better things than hair. Women need to stop policing hairstyles. It's ridiculous 🧐 Why are women still talking about her hair? We all go through frizz in humidity," another voice of reason added.

Despite the online comments about her hair, Biles remained focused and led her team to victory in the competition. She led Team USA to a stunning win in the women's gymnastics team final, securing a total score of 171.296.

The team's win marks the fourth gold for the U.S., following their triumphs in 1996, 2012, and 2016. Italy claimed silver with a score of 165.494, while Brazil took bronze with 164.497, marking their first medal in this category.

Throughout the Olympics, Biles showcased simple yet striking hairstyles, often opting for a hair bun that highlighted her versatility and style. In one photo, she wore her hair in a high bun with cascading strands, secured with hairpins.

In another photo, Biles sported small braids running from the front to the back, which seamlessly blended into her high, messy bun. It appears she braided her hair before styling it into a bun.

In another picture, Biles opted for a more casual look, wearing a simple messy bun with some strands left loose for a relaxed appearance. She kept the style natural, without adding any hairpins.

Reflecting on the team's achievement, Biles expressed her joy, saying, "It feels amazing. We love it, we're excited...We got the job done."

On Instagram, Biles also shared a photo of her team celebrating their win, happily holding the American flag. "lack of talent, lazy, olympic champions ❤️🥇🇺🇸 [sic]," Simone captioned her post.

Her response and outstanding performance remind us that her athletic prowess far outweighs any superficial judgments, particularly those concerning her hair.

Earning gold was indeed a sweet victory for Simone Biles. Her commitment to both physical and mental training, including therapy sessions, underscores why she remains the brightest star in the world of gymnastics.