Simone Biles: “I thought America hated me” (Full Episode)

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TL;DR

Simone Biles opens up about her decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics team competition and the intense backlash she faced from the nation
She discusses the trauma and mental health struggles that led to her withdrawal, including what was happening behind the scenes
Simone reveals her experience with abuse under former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar and her journey toward healing
She shares details about her early life in foster care and how being adopted by her grandparents transformed her trajectory
Simone discusses her return to gymnastics, her participation in the Paris Olympics, and her mindset going forward
She opens up about her marriage to NFL player Jonathan Owens, responding to his viral interview and embracing her role as a WAG

Episode Recap

In this deeply personal interview with Alex Cooper, Simone Biles shares her story in an unprecedented way, discussing the events that shocked the world at the Tokyo Olympics. When Biles withdrew from the team competition, she faced intense scrutiny and backlash from the nation, with many questioning her decision and mental toughness. Biles opens up about the actual trauma and psychological struggles that led to her withdrawal, revealing what nobody knew was happening behind the scenes during that pivotal moment in her career.

Beyond the Olympics, Simone courageously discusses her experience as a victim of abuse under Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics physician. She explains how coming forward about this abuse was essential to her healing journey and mental health recovery. Biles details the specific impact this trauma had on her career and personal life, shedding light on why her mental state during Tokyo was so fragile.

The conversation also delves into Simone's early years, which provide crucial context for understanding her resilience. She shares her experience in foster care and how being adopted by her grandparents completely changed the trajectory of her life. These early experiences shaped her into the person and athlete she became, giving her both strength and vulnerability that would later influence how she handled adversity.

When discussing her future in gymnastics, Simone addresses the burning question everyone wanted answered: whether she would compete in the Paris Olympics. She provides insight into her decision-making process and her mental state as she considers her next steps in her athletic career.

The interview also touches on Simone's personal life and marriage to Jonathan Owens, an NFL player. She gushes about their relationship and responds to the viral interview Jonathan gave that generated controversy online. Simone discusses how she is leaning into WAG life and what that means for her identity beyond gymnastics. The conversation balances serious topics with lighter moments as she opens up about her marriage and what it means to build a life with Jonathan while navigating her own extraordinary career and public scrutiny.