August 3, 2021
I’ve always been a huge fan of the Olympics and enjoy watching the athletes compete in sports you don’t often get to see. But in particular, it’s the human interest backstories that always get me. I find myself rooting for someone I’ve never heard of before and tearing up when they finish because I now know a small fragment of their story. This past week Simone Biles, arguably the greatest gymnast ever, made headlines for prioritizing herself and her wellbeing when she withdrew from competition. Typically, after the 2 weeks of the games, the world moves on and most of the stories and athletes are forgotten until maybe they appear again next time. I am hoping the story of Simone and her brave decision lives on for decades to come as a shining example of prioritizing self-care even when that means stepping back from a goal you have pursued for a lifetime.