She’s done it again. The GOAT, Simone Biles, the Olympic superstar gymnast, has left our jaws hanging open and running out of adjectives to describe her. So many continue to disparage her for dropping out of the Tokyo Games in 2021. The pressure of performing at an unimaginable level over so many years, trying to live up to the expectations of others, and fearing and hearing criticism are pressures most of us cannot comprehend. It is a dynamic we cannot relate to unless we’ve been in that person’s leotard. It’s much easier to sit back and judge.
Working with professional and amateur athletes myself, I have had a glimpse into this world. Like golfers who get the yips, gymnasts get the “twisties,” where they lose spatial awareness in midair, losing control of their bodies. In gymnastics, this sort of disorientation can be deadly. So, I was extraordinarily impressed with her sharing her mental health struggles:
https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/wellness/story/simone-biles-therapy-sessions-olympics-helped-performances-112636510
I’m reminded of this story:
When you see geese flying along in ‘V’ formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in the ‘V’ formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if the bird in front flew on its own. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they’re traveling on the thrust of another. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone. It quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of the bird immediately in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go and be willing to accept their help and give ours to others. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation, and another goose flies at the point position. It pays to take turns doing the tasks and sharing leadership. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging and not something else. When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own starting another formation, or catch up with the flock. So, if we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Simone is not only the GOAT, she is also a smart goose. She knew back in Tokyo that there is nothing wrong with being human and doing what is best for her own physical and mental health and for her team.
Bravo, Simone Biles and Team USA! Keep flying high…see you in Los Angeles in 2028. (P.S. Is it just me, or shouldn’t Snoop Dogg get an honorary Gold Medal for Charm?)
As always, I offer a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation on hypnosis or psychotherapy for sports enhancement, addictions, and trauma recovery.