Olympic Comebacks
Like most of the world, I’ve been watching the Olympics this week and thoroughly enjoying myself. Seeing honed athletes performing and competing against one another is exhilarating – even for this non-sporty gal. This year, I’ve been especially interested in Simone Biles’s comeback performance.
Now, I’m as far from a Simon Biles expert as you can get, but just in case you need a quick reminder, in the Tokyo Olympics, she stepped down from competing because she had “the twisties,” a condition that makes it difficult to calculate where you are in a turn. I remember her citing that her mental health and safety was more important than trying to push through to compete. I, and most of the world, was astounded. Many like me assumed this was the end of her gymnastics career.
I can only imagine what standing up for yourself with all that pressure must have felt like. We’ve all heard stories about athletes who pushed through devastating injuries to reach the finish line. We praise their perseverance and grit – and yet, is that really a good thing? How much more courage does it take to be willing to face accusations of being a quitter? In Simone’s case, stepping away was very likely a life-saving decision.
When I heard that she was preparing again to come to the Olympics, I felt an odd sense of hope. Not just hope that we could see her compete again, but a hope that she could be the example I’ve been looking for. Maybe she could be an icon who stepped away to care for herself and then came back even stronger. I want to see that it is possible. Maybe I’m projecting too much, but in my own world, where I chose to step away from the “hustle” in an effort to recover, I want to see someone prove that these choices aren’t career suicide.
As the Team Gymnastics finals were underway, I don’t know that I’ve ever held my breath so much in anticipation. I was glued to every shot that showed her face. I kept wondering what was going through her mind. How was she handling this? Has the mental training and healing she’s done actually worked? Is there hope for those of us who want to continue to achieve, but are forced to step back in some way or another? With each event, I cheered as she flew through the air, twisting, turning, landing, and smiling. Finally, they announced her final score for her floor performance and the team jumped on their feet to celebrate because they knew they had just won the gold. I cried. She did it. She proved it is possible. Thank you, Simone.
In the time since the Tokyo Olympics, Simone has become an advocate for therapy and mental health resources. She also got back into the game of a sport that she loves dearly. Despite her age, despite her public setback, despite all the pressure, she came back grounded and with a resilience that has given me a lot of courage. Here are three things I’m taking away from watching Simone:
No one can advocate for your mental health like you can.
You are the one who knows what’s happening inside and it’s up to you to speak up for it. Because mental health needs happen on the inside, some people may not believe you, but your needs are still real and valid. Speak up for them anyway.
Find what works for your mental care.
Simone has cited that therapy works well for her. I’ve found the same. I’ve also found that yoga, eating well, daily exercise, tending to my spiritual needs (prayer, scripture study, and meditation), and spending time in nature work for me as well. These things take effort and time but are well worth it.
Don’t let a setback keep you back.
I heard an interview where Simone said that when she decided she wanted to get back into competing, she had many coaches worried about her and were unsure of her decision. She agreed to start slower than she wanted, but with each step back into the game, she was able to grow and come back. She could have easily walked away from the entire sport; however, she loves it and wanted another Olympics. Stepping away for a time doesn’t mean that you need to cut it out completely. Growth doesn’t always follow a straight trajectory.
As the Olympic games continue, I look forward to cheering on all the athletes. I’m in awe of the dedication, skill, and mental acuity I’ve seen on display. This year, I’ve also felt a new sense of compassion for each moment of misstep or disappointment. All these things make up the greatest athletes in the world. It’s an incredible display of the facets of humanity.
Thanks for reading with me today. I hope you find some time this week to watch the Olympics too. 😊