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Simone Arianne Biles Owens (née Biles; born March 14, 1997) is an American artistic gymnast. Her 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals make her the most decorated gymnast in history. In 2019, Biles broke the record for most World Championship medals in gymnastics; she won her 24th and 25th medals at the event, surpassing Vitaly Scherbo’s 23 World medals. Biles has since secured an additional five World medals, for a total of 30. Shocking the World: Tokyo Olympics In the summer of 2021, the sports world was stunned when Simone Biles, widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, chose to withdraw from several events at the Tokyo Olympics to focus on her mental health. This decision, while controversial to some, was widely praised as a brave step towards prioritizing personal well-being over athletic achievement. Biles took time away from gymnastics following the Tokyo Games, focusing on personal growth, therapy, and other aspects of her life, including her marriage. Remarkably, almost three years to the day after her withdrawal in Tokyo, Biles made a triumphant return to Olympic competition in Paris. She led the U.S. women’s gymnastics team to gold and also secured individual gold in the All-Around and Vault competitions, and silver in Women’s Floor. From foster care to the winner’s podium The Texas native was raised by her grandparents, who became her adoptive parents after her biological mother, Shannon Biles, gave her and her three siblings up for adoption in 2000 amid her drug and alcohol addiction. Simone’s biological father, Kelvin Clemons, was never in the world champion’s life. Biles spent three years in the foster care system and has since opened up about the experience, sharing that she was “always being hungry and afraid” during her time in foster homes. The grandparents Ronald and Nellie Biles finally adopted Simone and her younger sister, Adria, at age 6. “Being separated from my biological mom, being placed in foster care before I officially got adopted by my grandparents, it just set me up for a better route at life,” the gymnast disclosed on an episode of her Facebook Watch series, Simone Vs. Herself. “I feel like I wouldn’t be where I am unless that turning point happened. I would still be Simone Biles, probably not Simone Biles that everybody else knows, the world knows. But I also believe everything happens for a reason and I’m forever grateful for that because I definitely got a second shot at life.” Biles first began gymnastics at age 6 after visiting a gymnasium for a daycare field trip. She came home with a note from the coaches, who recognized her talent, encouraging her to enroll in classes; Ronald and Nellie immediately signed her up. “It was history from there,” Biles grandma Nellie told PEOPLE magazine. “She never missed a practice. Even if she was sick, I would tell her she should stay home, and she would say ‘No, I have to go to practice!’ “ Destigmatizing mental health-related leaves of absence While Biles’s athletic achievements are undoubtedly impressive; her impact extends far beyond the gymnasium. By openly prioritizing her mental health, Biles has helped to destigmatize mental health- related leaves of absence, particularly for women in the workforce. Recent data from a major employee assistance program provider reveals a significant increase in mental health-related leaves of absence between 2017 and 2023 in the US. The trend is particularly pronounced among female workers, who accounted for over two-thirds of such leaves in early 2024. This surge in mental health leaves coincides with Coming back even stronger after mental health leave The “Simone Biles Effect” therefore extends beyond athletics, encouraging individuals across various fields to prioritize their mental health without fear of stigma or career repercussions. It conciliates common concerns about taking mental health leave as it addresses the common fears of “What will everyone think of me?” and “Will I be treated differently now?” Her journey serves as a testament to the power of self-care and the potential for an even stronger comeback after prioritizing mental well-being. | ||||
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Horizons: Family Office & Investor Magazine
The Simone Biles Effect: Destigmatizing Mental Health Breaks In Athletics And Beyond |
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