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Simone Biles wouldn\u2019t be on the mat if she didn\u2019t spend time on the couch, she explained at this year\u2019s Olympics<\/a> in Paris.\u00a0<\/p>\n As the most decorated gymnast<\/a> in history, Biles knows keenly what it\u2019s like to have an immense amount of pressure on her. She\u2019s had the world\u2019s gimlet-eyed gaze on her multiple times, after all. Biles came to this summer\u2019s Olympics already setting records<\/a>, currently holding the title as the oldest women\u2019s gymnast to compete since the 1950s. While this isn\u2019t Biles\u2019 first rodeo, she\u2019s making sure to play the high-stakes game a little differently this time around\u2014 on her terms.<\/p>\n \u201cBeing in a good mental spot, seeing my therapist every Thursday is kind of religious for me. So that\u2019s why I\u2019m kind of here today,\u201d Biles said<\/a> late last month after making the Olympic team.\u00a0<\/p>\n The iconic gymnast made strides after the last Olympics, making a concerted effort not just to work on her mental health, but also to share insight about her journey publically to assuage stigma. She has also come forward<\/a> as a survivor of sexual abuse of disgraced former national gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar, explaining \u201cit could help a lot of people. Four years ago, Biles made headlines after dropping out of the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo due to what is called the \u201cthe twisties<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n The ailment<\/a> is known as a disconnect between the brain and body which makes gymnasts disoriented. Biles\u2019 candor regarding the toll that this condition took and her decision to leave catapulted her into a new type of spotlight: that of a mental-health advocate.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe also have to focus on ourselves, because at the end of the day we\u2019re human, too,\u201d she said<\/a> after leaving the competition. \u201cSo, we have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Not only is Biles stepping into the arena with a newfound dedication to her well-being, she\u2019s also making sure to look after her teammates. Biles provided advice to fellow gymnast Suni Lee after she struggled during her routine. Having gone through the exact same situation, Biles said she knew Lee needed support. She explained<\/a> that\u2019s exactly what she gave her, adding \u201c I know how traumatizing it is, especially on a big stage like this. I didn\u2019t want her to get in her head.\u201d<\/p>\n Her newly released Netflix<\/a> documentary, Simone Biles Rising<\/em>, further pushes back the curtain behind the trying experience that is competing on a national stage. Giving context to her re-emergence in the Olympics, Biles opened up<\/a> about her process in going to therapy and dealing with past trauma.\u00a0<\/p>\n Showing the screen her tattoo of Maya Angelou\u2019s words, Biles says she\u2019s not backing down from what she\u2019s gone through. Rather, she\u2019s letting it fuel her. \u201c\u2018And still I rise\u2019 is perfect,\u201d she adds<\/a>. \u201cI feel like that\u2019s kind of the epitome of my career and life story. I always rise to the occasion; even after all of the traumas and the downfalls, I\u2019ve always risen.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n