Simone Biles Talks Anxiety & Being Named 2018’s ‘Most Dominant Athlete’

Simone Biles has been a force to be reckoned with since winning three consecutive world all-around titles in 2015, becoming the first female gymnast to do so. She has since continued to leave her mark on the world of gymnastics even after revealing she was sexually abused by former sports doctor Larry Nassar.

In an interview with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, the athlete opened up about the anxiety caused by the deeply personal revelation as well as her journey to being dubbed 2018’s Most Dominant Athlete by ESPN the Magazine.

When it comes to keeping her mental health in order, Biles revealed that she takes anti-anxiety medication and speaks with a counselor regularly.

“I’m on anxiety medicine now because I had a lot of ups and downs throughout the year and trying to figure out what was wrong,” Biles said Tuesday. “I go to therapy pretty regularly. It’s not easy but the people surrounding me are some of the best so it makes it a little easier.”

“I’ve felt a bit broken and the more I try to shut off the voice in my head the louder it screams,” Biles wrote on Twitter in January, with the hashtag #MeToo. “I am not afraid to tell my story anymore.”

Feelings… 💭 #MeToo pic.twitter.com/ICiu0FCa0n

— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 15, 2018

Biles also shared her surprise at being honored as ESPN’s cover star, saying, “I didn’t think it was real, I was like, ‘You’re joking.’”

This cover 😍 pic.twitter.com/wdZjJ6plmg

— espnW (@espnW) December 11, 2018

Last August, Biles swept all five titles at the 2018 national championships at Boston’s TD Garden. In October, she made history by becoming the first woman to win four all-around titles at the world championships in Doha, Qatar.

Overall, Biles believes 2018 was the year she found her true voice.

“There were a lot of points in this year that made me who I am today and I feel stronger,” she said. “I feel like this year gave me a voice and I tried to find my voice this year and use that to the better potential and positive manner.”

Check out the interview below.