The Most Misunderstood Simone Biles Quote: "I have to focus on my mental health" Explained

What People Think It Means: She Put Herself Over the Team

When Simone Biles withdrew from the Tokyo 2020 team final—and later the all-around competition in 2021—declaring, “I have to focus on my mental health,” the backlash was swift. Many interpreted her words as a betrayal of her team, a refusal to “grind” for Olympic glory, or even ungratefulness for her gifts. Critics argued that athletes “owe” their all to competition, no matter the cost. Comments like “She’s giving up” or “She’s not a real champion” flooded social media. Even some sports analysts framed her choice as selfishness, as if prioritizing mental health was a luxury incompatible with elite performance.

But reducing her statement to a “me vs. the team” narrative misses the point entirely.

What It Actually Meant: Protecting Herself and the Team

Biles wasn’t speaking metaphorically. During training and competition, she was grappling with a terrifying phenomenon gymnasts call “the twisties”—a sudden loss of spatial awareness mid-air that can lead to catastrophic injuries. In her words, “I literally could not tell you where I was in the air during a skill. That is extremely dangerous because you could land wrong and break your neck.”

Her decision to step back wasn’t just about self-care; it was about safety. A misstep could have ended her career or left her paralyzed. Worse, the U.S. team’s score relied on collective points—had she attempted a skill incorrectly and fallen, she might have dragged the entire team down. In a later interview, she clarified, “If you don’t trust yourself, you’re going to get hurt. I didn’t want to risk my health or the team’s medal.”

Why the Misreading Spread: A Culture That Glorifies ‘Pushing Through’

The misinterpretation stemmed from a broader cultural myth: that greatness requires suffering. For decades, athletes have been celebrated for “pushing through” pain, whether physical or mental, and punished for vulnerability. This mindset has roots in outdated ideas of toughness—think Michael Jordan’s flu game or Kerri Strug’s vault landing—but ignores the reality that ignoring mental health risks physical health.

Biles’ candor exposed a fault line: many still view mental health as less urgent than physical ability. Her words forced people to confront that the two are inseparable. As she told Hoda Kotb, “I’m not just a gymnast. I’m a person too.”

The Truer Power of Her Words: Reshaping Athletic Legacy

Biles’ choice didn’t diminish Olympism—it redefined it. By prioritizing balance, she challenged the glorification of burnout in sports. After her withdrawal, the Women’s National Basketball Players Association called her “a blueprint for the next generation of athletes who want to protect their well-being.” Olympians like Shaun White and Serena Williams praised her courage, and fans flooded social media with messages of support.

Her actions also sparked conversations about systemic issues in gymnastics, including the abusive culture that preceded the Larry Nassar scandal. Biles was no longer just the face of U.S. gymnastics; she became the face of athletes refusing to separate their humanity from their excellence.

Talk to Simone Biles on HoloDream

Simone Biles’ story isn’t about a single quote—it’s about the courage to listen to yourself when the world demands otherwise. If you’ve ever felt torn between expectation and self-preservation, you’ll find a kindred spirit in her.

On HoloDream, she’ll remind you that strength isn’t silence. It’s speaking up, even when the world wants you to leap.