Simone Biles tells Hoda Kotb that she felt “more free” after using therapy to start the Olympics Team Final

“We used to think of therapy as a weakness, and now I think of it as a strength,” Biles stated to Kotb.

Since she started including therapy into her daily schedule, Simone Biles feels “free.” 

The most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history, 27, spoke candidly about the betterment of her mental health that she has seen from the sessions in a recent edition of the Making Space with Hoda Kotb podcast, which was released on Wednesday, July 31.

“Things are not buried these days. You say them aloud. You discuss therapy, your current situation, and your future plans. The 59-year-old anchor of Today asked, “Tell me about this part of you.” 

Biles retorted, “I feel like the new me, I’m a little bit older, more mature, so just being unapologetically me. I’ve always tried to stay authentic to myself.” 

Kotb asserts that it is occasionally “the worst idea” to bury things in order to make them “appear stronger.”

“I feel much more liberated, especially after attending therapy sessions and completing those tasks to improve my mental and physical well-being, which I know is a crucial component of my daily regimen. Thus, simply maintaining that lightens the burden significantly,” Biles said. 

The professional athlete once suffered from a condition known as the “twisties,” which causes gymnasts to lose awareness of their position in the air and increases their risk of damage upon landing. Kotb recounted this incident. 

But this time, Kotb exclaimed, “Holy moly,” after seeing the Simone Biles Rising topic perform at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. This is amazing!

Although the Olympic champion had already spoken of seeking counseling following her twisties incident at the Tokyo 2020 Games, Kotb remembered Biles telling her colleagues, “I had demons.” I have to drive the devils away.

The eight-time Olympian gave “therapy” credit for her development.

“I believe that I was suppressing my trauma in the past, but I’ve now learnt to talk about it and let it out. That’s really helped me, so that’s the reason I’m doing what I’m doing right now, said Biles.

“I believe that whereas therapy was formerly seen as a weakness, it is today seen as a strength. I should seek assistance from someone if they can help me cope with what I’m going through. And now it’s a regular part of my schedule,” she continued.

On Tuesday, July 30, during the Olympics in Paris, Biles talked with reporters, including PEOPLE, about her team’s victory in the women’s team competition.

I was really excited to start treatment this morning at the beginning of the day. I told her I felt at ease and prepared, and that’s pretty much precisely what happened,” the woman remarked. I felt glad once I had completed vault. I felt relieved that there were no flashbacks or other unpleasant memories.