How Simone Biles Balanced Her Four Pillars Of Vitality And Achieved Olympic Success

Simone Biles: A Legacy of Resilience and Triumph

As we celebrate Simone Biles’ incredible success at the 2024 Summer Olympics. it’s impossible not to reflect on the journey that has brought her to this pinnacle of athletic achievement. Biles, now a seven-time Olympic gold medalist and widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, continues to inspire the world with her performances. But her story is not just one of medals and records—it’s a story of resilience, courage, and the pursuit of mental well-being. This article looks at her tremendous success and how she balanced the four pillars of vitality to achieve it.

The Tokyo Olympics: A Pivotal Moment

Back in 2021, Simone Biles shocked the world during the Tokyo Summer Olympics when she bravely decided to withdraw from the individual all-around competition and the team event. The entire gymnastics community and fans worldwide were stunned. How could the most decorated gymnast, expected to break multiple records, step away from the competition at such a crucial moment?

The reason? Biles chose to prioritize her mental health over the immense pressure to perform, a decision that reverberated far beyond the world of sports.

Redefining Strength: The Mental Health Conversation

Biles’ decision was a watershed moment in sports and the broader cultural conversation about mental health. She joined the ranks of other athletes, such as tennis star Naomi Osaka and swimmer Michael Phelps, in openly discussing the importance of mental well-being. At the top of their respective fields, these athletes showed the world that mental health is as important as physical health.

The intense pressure to excel, the relentless training, and the weight of expectations had taken a toll on Biles. She was experiencing “the twisties,” a terrifying mental block that can cause gymnasts to lose their sense of direction in mid-air—a dangerous condition that put her safety at risk.

The Four Pillars of Vitality: A Guiding Framework

Biles’ experience in Tokyo highlighted the importance of balancing all aspects of health and well-being. It also brings to mind the Four Pillars of Vitality. This well-being framework was introduced years ago and aims to create optimal body, mind, and spirit health. At the time, I had awakened to the fact that I was a workaholic and needed to take a good look at myself and my choices. I seemed to have only one gear, being in forward drive. The gear I used incessantly maybe like what’s expected of these athletes to perform at their best.

The Four Pillars

Have you ever thought of your life as needing pillars or legs to ground and support you like a four-legged stool? If one or more legs are weak, bent, or broken, the chair will be unsafe and unstable, just as Simone Biles experienced with the twisties.

The Four Pillars Of Vitality are True Study, True Work, True Rest, and True Play.

1. True Study

You will recognize your True Study by the way you feel about it. True Study is anything that gets your attention and absorbs your focus so you forget the time. The key is that it fascinates and pulls you in for further discovery. It’s usually related to preparation for your True Work.

2. True Work

True Work may or may not be related to your daily work or what makes you money. It’s the activities that make you happy and satisfied while doing them. It doesn’t feel like work, but rather something you enjoy doing and have a talent for, and that others appreciate because you do it with such ease and pleasure. True Work brings forth your purpose and contribution and brings balanced action into your life.

3. True Play

When you are experiencing True Play, you are relaxed, having fun, and feeling positive and expansive, and it puts a smile on your face. It helps you to ground, be fully present in your body, and have a childlike quality of aliveness and joy. True play keeps you from becoming scattered, too serious, and unproductive.

4. True Rest

True Rest takes you away from what you usually do and allows you to restore and revitalize your energy and vibrancy so you can do your True Study and True Work. It must be a rejuvenating experience that brings inspiration back into your life. It consistently relaxes you and puts your entire system back in balance. You cannot enjoy the other “trues without adequate True Rest.”

For athletes like Biles, True Study and True Work involve rigorous training and preparation, while True Play and True Rest are often neglected. But Biles’ courageous choice to step back and focus on her mental health underscored the importance of these latter pillars. Without adequate rest and moments of play, even the strongest athletes can find themselves unbalanced and overwhelmed.

Reclaiming Balance: Biles’ Path to Recovery

After withdrawing from several events in Tokyo, Biles took the time she needed to recover. She focused on True Rest and True Play, cheering on her teammates and allowing herself the space to heal. This recovery period enabled her to return to competition and win a bronze medal on the balance beam, demonstrating her incredible resilience and the power to prioritize well-being.

Continuing the Legacy: A Role Model for Future Generations

As Simone Biles continues to add to her legacy, she remains a beacon of strength for her athletic prowess and advocacy for mental health. She has shown the world that true power comes from recognizing when to step back and take care of oneself. Her story will continue to inspire generations of athletes and non-athletes alike to prioritize their well-being and pursue their passions with balance and purpose.

Whether you’re an athlete, a professional, or someone seeking more fulfilment, Biles’ journey offers valuable lessons. Embrace the Four Pillars of Vitality, strive for balance, and remember that success is not just about achieving great things but about taking care of yourself.

Are You Balancing The Four Pillars of Your Vitality?

How is your vitality these days? Would you like to experience more vibrancy, improve balance, and achieve optimal health?

You can list activities in your life that belong to each pillar. Then, notice what you are observing. Are there one or two pillars that get less time and attention than the others? If your pillars are lopsided, develop a plan to correct the situation, as Simone did. You may need to remove some activities from some pillars and add others to support the weak ones.

Alternatively, check out the Four Pillars of Vitality Website .

About the Author

Rúna Bouius TruePower Leadership Coach | Advisor | Facilitator | Speaker | Author | Host

Rúna Bouius is a dynamic visionary and thought leader who empowers forward-thinking leaders and organizations to excel amidst the complexities of our rapidly evolving world.

Drawing upon her extensive experience as a CEO and serial entrepreneur from Iceland, Rúna combines sharp business acumen with profound wisdom and an unwavering passion for redefining power and leadership. She expertly guides her clients through transformative journeys, unlocking their deepest purpose and potential for growth and positive impact.

As the founder of the True Power Institute, host of the TruePower Executive Roundtable, and co-founder of social impact initiatives, Rúna sparks transformative possibilities through coaching, facilitation, and speaking engagements. Co-author of the international bestseller “The Successful Mind,” Rúna is also a member of the AcornOak platform for Fractional Executive Women, dedicated to empowering leaders worldwide.