Simone Biles: A Portrait of Mental Strength & Resilience

TL;DR: Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in American history, embodies a form of strength that is often overlooked: that of vulnerability. Beyond her seven Olympic medals and her unmatched records, her journey reveals how difficult early experiences—foster care placement, sexual abuse—shape the psychology of a champion. The early maladaptive schemas identified by cognitive-behavioral therapy, such as fear of abandonment, mistrust of institutions, and excessive self-sacrifice, partly explain her excellence but also the inner tensions she has had to confront. Her strategic withdrawal at the 2021 Tokyo Games to manage the "twisties" represents a major turning point: that of an athlete who chooses her mental health over global expectations. Her story illustrates that true strength sometimes lies in the ability to say no and to put one's well-being ahead of performance.

By Gildas Garrec, CBT psychopractitioner

In the pantheon of world sport, few names resonate with as much power, grace, and singular boldness as that of Simone Biles. The most decorated gymnast in the history of the United States, she has redefined the limits of her sport, executing skills that others deem impossible. Beyond her gold medals and world titles, Simone Biles has become an emblematic figure of another form of strength: that of vulnerability, of the courage to say "stop" and to place one's mental health above the world's expectations. Her journey, marked by dazzling triumphs and heartbreaking ordeals, offers valuable material for psychological exploration.

As a psychopractitioner specializing in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies (CBT), I propose to explore the psychological underpinnings that might support the personality and choices of this extraordinary athlete, drawing on recognized theoretical frameworks such as Young's schemas, attachment styles, the Big Five model, and cognitive distortions—without ever making a clinical diagnosis, but offering hypotheses informed by public facts.

1. Biographical Hook: The Star and Her Cracks

Born in 1997 in Columbus, Ohio, Simone Biles' life began with significant challenges. Placed in foster care because of her biological mother's addiction problems, she was adopted at the age of six by her maternal grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, whom she considers her true parents. This adoption marked a turning point, providing her with a stable and loving home.

Her talent for gymnastics was discovered very early, and she quickly rose through the ranks, accumulating titles and medals. Her career is a catalogue of records: seven Olympic medals (including four gold at Rio 2016), twenty-five World Championship medals (including nineteen gold). She has performed moves so complex that they now bear her name.

But behind this façade of invincibility lay a darker reality. In 2018, Simone Biles revealed that she had been a victim of sexual abuse by Larry Nassar, the former doctor of the U.S. national gymnastics team. She became a powerful voice among the hundreds of survivors, testifying with overwhelming dignity and strength.

The culmination of this exploration of vulnerability took place at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Although she was the undisputed favorite, she chose to withdraw from several events due to the "twisties," a phenomenon in which gymnasts lose their spatial awareness in the air. This decision, made at the peak of her career and before the eyes of the entire world, was an act of immense courage, opening a global conversation about athletes' mental health and, more broadly, about the importance of prioritizing one's well-being.

2. Plausible Early Maladaptive Schemas (Jeffrey Young)

Early maladaptive schemas, developed by Jeffrey Young, are deep and persistent themes that form in childhood and adolescence and recur throughout life, affecting our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and relationships. Examining Simone Biles' trajectory, several schemas could be plausible:

A. Abandonment/Instability Schema

Given her foster care placement and adoption, it is plausible that Simone developed an Abandonment/Instability schema. This schema is characterized by the conviction that significant others will not be able to provide emotional support or protection consistently, and that they will eventually leave or be unstable. Even though adoption by her grandparents offered precious stability, early experiences can leave a mark. This schema might manifest as an underlying fear of loss, heightened vigilance regarding the reliability of others, or a tendency to overcompensate by becoming extremely self-reliant and high-achieving so as to depend on no one. The pressure to "carry" the team or external expectations could also reactivate this need to prove one's worth in order not to be "left behind."

B. Mistrust/Abuse Schema

The Mistrust/Abuse schema is almost inevitably present in survivors of abuse, as Simone Biles was in the Nassar case. This schema involves the expectation that others will hurt, abuse, humiliate, cheat, lie to, manipulate, or take advantage of you. For an elite athlete, this mistrust can extend to institutions and authority figures (coaches, federation) who failed to protect. The disclosure of her story and her commitment to justice are attempts to repair this schema, to regain control, and to prevent further abuse. It is a monumental act of resilience, but the underlying schema can persist and influence her perception of relationships and systems.

C. Self-Sacrifice Schema

The Self-Sacrifice schema is very common in individuals who excel in demanding fields such as elite sport. It manifests as an excessive tendency to voluntarily meet the needs of others at the expense of one's own needs, often to avoid guilt or to maintain emotional bonds. Simone Biles was long perceived as the "savior" of American gymnastics, the person who always had to win, always had to shine. This pressure, whether self-imposed or external, may have reinforced this schema, pushing her to ignore her own signals of distress in order to meet the expectations of her team, her country, her fans. Her decision in Tokyo to withdraw is a spectacular break with this schema, a radical act of self-affirmation.

D. Unrelenting Standards/Inflexible Criteria Schema

The Unrelenting Standards/Inflexible Criteria schema is almost an inherent characteristic of champions. It is the belief that one must strive to meet very high standards of behavior and performance, usually to avoid criticism or shame. For Simone, perfection was not only a goal but a constant expectation. This schema can fuel discipline and perseverance, but it can also lead to burnout, performance anxiety, and a sense of failure even in the case of success, if internal criteria are not perfectly met. The "twisties" can be interpreted as an extreme manifestation of the pressure exerted by this schema, where body and mind refuse to cooperate under the weight of intolerable demands.

3. Defense Mechanisms

Faced with the extreme pressures of her career and the traumas she experienced, Simone Biles likely mobilized various defense mechanisms, defined by psychology to protect the ego against anxiety and stress.

A. Sublimation

Sublimation is a mature defense mechanism in which unacceptable impulses or emotions are transformed into socially acceptable and productive behaviors. For Simone, her determination to excel in gymnastics, to push the limits of her sport, could be seen as a sublimation of the aggression, frustration, or pain linked to her early experiences or to the abuse. Intensive training, the pursuit of perfection, and the desire to leave an indelible mark are powerful expressions of this transformed energy.

B. Denial and Repression

Initially, when faced with abuse, many survivors may resort to denial (refusing to acknowledge a painful reality) or repression (unconsciously suppressing disturbing thoughts or memories). The fact that she took time to disclose her story, like many other victims, suggests that these mechanisms may have been at work to allow her to keep functioning and performing. The acknowledgment and public expression of her trauma marked a break with these defenses.

C. Reaction Formation

Reaction formation involves adopting attitudes or behaviors opposite to unconscious desires or feelings. Simone long projected an image of invincibility, constant joy, and flawless performance. This public image, although partly authentic, may also have served to mask anxieties, doubts, or deep inner suffering. The decision to withdraw in Tokyo shattered this reaction formation, revealing the vulnerability behind the façade.

D. Self-Affirmation and Altruism

Later in her trajectory, Simone demonstrated more mature defense mechanisms. Her public testimony against Larry Nassar and her role as an advocate for survivors fall under altruism, where one finds gratification in helping others. Her decision in Tokyo falls under self-affirmation, standing up for one's own rights and needs in an appropriate and respectful way. These mechanisms reflect considerable psychological strength and an ability to transform suffering into constructive action.

4. Hypothetical Attachment Style (John Bowlby, Mary Ainsworth)

Attachment style, as conceptualized by Bowlby and Ainsworth, forms in early childhood through interactions with attachment figures and influences the way we form and maintain relationships throughout our lives.

Despite a start in life marked by instability, adoption by her grandparents was a major protective factor. Ron and Nellie Biles offered her a loving, secure, and stable environment. This strongly suggests the development of a secure attachment style.

Individuals with a secure attachment tend to develop a positive view of themselves and others, to manage their emotions in a healthy way, and to seek appropriate support when needed.

For Simone Biles, despite the initial experiences of abandonment, the stable and loving environment provided by her grandparents likely made it possible to "repair" or compensate for these early wounds. A secure attachment would manifest through her ability to form trusting relationships (with her coaches, her husband, her family), to express her needs and limits (as evidenced by her decision in Tokyo), and to draw on her support network in the face of adversity. This is what enabled her to testify against Nassar, to open up about her "twisties," and to ask for help, rather than isolating herself. The security of her attachment to her adoptive parents may have provided the foundation she needed to explore the world, take risks in gymnastics, and, ultimately, retreat into herself to protect herself when the situation demanded it, knowing she would be supported.

5. Hypothetical Personality Traits (Big Five Model)

The Big Five model (OCEAN) offers a framework for describing the fundamental dimensions of personality. Observing Simone Biles' journey, we can form hypotheses about the predominance of certain traits.

A. Conscientiousness (High)

This trait is undoubtedly one of the most pronounced in Simone Biles. Conscientiousness includes organization, discipline, perseverance, responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence. To reach the summit of world gymnastics, iron discipline, an impeccable work ethic, and a goal-oriented mindset are indispensable. Her ability to maintain rigorous training for years, to master complex skills, and to perform under pressure reflects an exceptional level of conscientiousness.

B. Openness to Experience (High)

Openness to experience is characterized by imagination, intellectual curiosity, appreciation of art, originality, and non-conformity. Simone Biles has constantly pushed the limits of her sport, inventing and executing unprecedented moves that now bear her name. This innovation, this willingness to explore new technical and artistic possibilities, suggests a high openness to experience. She did not merely follow the rules—she rewrote them.

C. Agreeableness (Moderate to High)

Agreeableness encompasses kindness, cooperation, trust, altruism, and empathy. Simone Biles is perceived as a respected and well-liked figure, including by her competitors. Her role as an advocate for survivors of Nassar's abuse, her support for her teammates, and her ability to communicate openly about her difficulties reflect strong empathy and concern for the well-being of others. Although she can be competitive, she seems to balance this with genuine humanity.

D. Extraversion (Moderate)

Extraversion concerns sociability, assertiveness, energy, and the seeking of stimulation. As a world-renowned athlete, Simone Biles is constantly in the spotlight and seems at ease in public interactions. However, her decision to withdraw in Tokyo to take care of herself may also indicate an ability to refocus, to protect herself from excessive stimulation, and to value her inner space, suggesting a moderate rather than extreme extraversion, with introverted tendencies necessary for recovery and reflection.

E. Neuroticism (or Emotional Stability) (Variable, Evolving)

Neuroticism (or its opposite, emotional stability) measures the tendency to experience negative emotions such as anxiety, anger, or depression. In a high-performance environment and with a traumatic past, it is plausible that Simone Biles experienced periods of emotional vulnerability and high anxiety. The "twisties" themselves are a manifestation of intense psychological pressure. Her approach in Tokyo, however, is not a sign of weakness, but rather evidence of a growing awareness of her limits and an ability to regulate her emotions. She transformed a potential fragility into a force for action, demonstrating an evolution toward greater emotional stability through acceptance and action.

6. Registers Mobilized

Analyzing the registers mobilized helps us understand how an individual perceives, feels, and acts in the face of events.

A. Emotional Register

Simone Biles mobilized a wide range of emotions. The joy and pride of victories, the excitement of performance, long dominated the public image. However, her journey also revealed darker emotions: fear (of the "twisties," of failure, of disappointment), performance anxiety, sadness and anger (linked to the abuse and institutional inaction), guilt (potentially linked to the self-sacrifice schema before Tokyo). Her ability to recognize and express these emotions, particularly fear and anxiety, was a major turning point.

B. Cognitive Register

On the cognitive level, Simone Biles was long guided by thoughts of high demands and perfectionism. Cognitive distortions such as catastrophizing (if I fail, it's the end of the world), all-or-nothing thinking (I must be perfect or I am a failure), or mind reading (people expect me to win) may have fueled considerable internal pressure. Her decision in Tokyo was the result of a cognitive restructuring: she questioned these automatic thoughts and prioritized her mental health over external expectations, adopting a more realistic and compassionate perspective toward herself.

C. Behavioral Register

Her behaviors were marked by extraordinary discipline and perseverance in training and competition. The pursuit of excellence and technical innovation are major behavioral traits. However, she also displayed behaviors of withdrawal (faced with the "twisties"), self-affirmation (her testimony and her decision in Tokyo), seeking support (working with mental health professionals), and altruism (her activism). These behaviors reflect an evolution of coping strategies.

D. Physiological/Bodily Register

Simone Biles' body is her working instrument, but also a barometer of her psychological state. The "twisties" are the most striking example of a physiological manifestation of extreme stress and anxiety. Fatigue, pain, and injuries are inherent components of elite sport. Her decision to withdraw shows a fine attunement to her body's signals, an acknowledgment that mind and body are intrinsically linked and that one cannot function without the other.

7. Blind Spots and Strengths

A. Plausible Blind Spots

Despite her great self-awareness, blind spots may remain:
* Difficulty delegating or fully resting: The Unrelenting Standards and Self-Sacrifice schemas can make it hard to let go and let others take over, even when it is necessary.
* The long-term impact of institutional trauma: Although she testified, fully resolving the mistrust of systems and authorities can be an ongoing and complex process, subtly influencing future decisions.
* The pressure of her new role as a "spokesperson": After Tokyo, she became an icon of mental health. This new role, though honorable, can generate a new form of pressure and expectations, potentially a new self-sacrifice trap.

B. Major Strengths

Simone Biles' strengths are numerous and remarkable:
* Exceptional resilience: Her ability to overcome early traumas and abuse is proof of immense psychological strength.
* Courage and authenticity: Her decision in Tokyo and her public testimony are acts of courage that have inspired millions of people.
* Self-awareness and introspection: Her ability to identify her own limits, her "twisties," and to ask for help is a sign of psychological maturity.
* Adaptability: She was able to adapt her strategies in the face of adversity, shifting from performance to self-affirmation.
* A solid support system: The quality of her attachment and of her family and personal relationships has been a fundamental pillar.

8. CBT Lessons for the Reader

Simone Biles' journey offers valuable lessons applicable to everyone, well beyond elite sport:

* The importance of self-compassion: Learning to be as kind to yourself as you would be to a friend. Perfection is not a condition of worth.
* Recognizing schemas: Understanding how our past experiences (abandonment, mistrust, sacrifice schemas) can influence our current reactions allows us to regain control.
* Listening to bodily and emotional signals: Body and mind are linked. Ignoring signals of distress (anxiety, fatigue, physical symptoms) can lead to burnout.
* Cognitive restructuring: Questioning negative or unrealistic automatic thoughts ("I must be perfect," "I cannot disappoint") to adopt a more balanced and healthy perspective.
* Self-affirmation and setting limits: Learning to say "no" and to prioritize your well-being is an act of courage, not weakness. It is essential to protect your mental health.
* Vulnerability is a strength: Sharing your difficulties, asking for help, and acknowledging your limits does not diminish your worth—it strengthens your humanity and your capacity for connection.
* Seeking professional support: Do not hesitate to consult a psychopractitioner or a therapist if you feel overwhelmed. It is a proactive and healthy step.

In conclusion, Simone Biles' journey is not only that of an extraordinary champion, but also that of a woman who was able to transform her vulnerabilities into sources of strength, offering the world an invaluable lesson about the value of mental health and the importance of authenticity.

Gildas Garrec, CBT psychopractitioner — This article offers psychological hypotheses based on public data, without any clinical diagnosis.

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FAQ

What distinguishes simone biles from normal personality variation?

Explore Simone Biles' psychological journey, examining her courage to prioritize mental health and redefine resilience in elite sports. The clinical distinction rests on rigidity, pervasiveness across situations, and significant functional impairment — criteria formalized in DSM-5 diagnostic standards that require persistence over time.

Can someone with these traits develop insight and change?

Yes, though the degree varies. Schema therapy and CBT show meaningful results even with entrenched personality traits, particularly when the person develops sufficient motivation and distress tolerance. Change is slower but absolutely possible with structured therapeutic work.

How should I interact with someone who displays these characteristics?

Setting clear, consistent boundaries is essential. Avoid engaging with projective processes or taking responsibility for the other person's emotional states. Consulting a therapist yourself — even if the other person won't — can provide critical coping strategies for protecting your own mental health.