Simone Biles: A Role Model for Self-Compassion

The excitement of the Paris Olympics has settled with the start of the school year, but the effects of watching women's gymnastics with my children still lingers. Both my girls took gymnastic classes as toddlers, but interest fizzled. Then, when my oldest was in first grade all her friends did cartwheels at soccer practice, yeah first grade soccer is still a squirrely event. After seeing her flop around in frustration, I decided she might be ready to learn a proper cartwheel. Turns out her friends' gym was very popular and I was put on a waiting list. Rather than signing up for a different night (sans friends) I found a less competitive and way more affordable option at a local community center. After six months, she was (sort of) able to do a cartwheel, but more importantly she had fun and challenged herself.

The fun didn't come easy though. She had to get out of her head and let go of her fear of making mistakes. In the end, it was a blessing she didn't get a spot at the other gym. Being among friends who had more experience and skill than her would have added more pressure and potential embarrassment.

As heartbreaking and confusing as it was to see Simone Biles pull out of the Tokyo Olympics, it gave the world a new role model. She took that courageous step back to do what was right for her, having to reconcile the guilt of letting her coaches, team and country down and accept the inevitable gossip that would follow.

During the recent olympics we saw greatness from her, moves so unbelievable we gasped, but we also saw moments of weakness: a hurt calf, a fall, a bouncy landing. My daughters and I didn't just watch Biles compete, we listened to her tell her story: the human behind the talent. The pain and pressure. The hard work and dedication. This opened up the concept of therapy for my kids, sometimes people need help understanding how they think and feel and to learn how to improve. Biles discovered how to appreciate her efforts and enjoy her sport -- without focusing on the results. She had to let go of what people thought of her, which is incredibly difficult when you are a public figure.

She came back from a two year break and not only made the team, but led them to win GOLD.

Even when things went less than ideal in Paris, Biles handled it with self love and pride. She showed my kids that when you fall, you get up. And if you don't win, you still congratulate the winner. She gave us all her best. What a beautiful thing to witness.