What Simone Biles learned from Tokyo Olympics: 'How courageous, how brave I am'

ROSEMONT, Ill. — It took being at her lowest and most vulnerable to show Simone Biles how strong and resilient she is.

It’s been almost three months since Biles was forced to withdraw from multiple events at the Tokyo Olympics after rising anxiety manifested itself in the “twisties,” causing her to lose her sense of where she was in the air. She’s still processing it all – that it happened, the reaction to it – but a few things are clear.

“I feel like I learned the most about myself during Tokyo,” Biles told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday. “How courageous, how brave I am. Because I always like to fake bravery. But I really think that solidified me being brave, speaking up for myself and just putting myself first.