‘There’s beauty in being vulnerable’: Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles open up about the importance of leading by example

By Samantha Bresnahan and Coy Wire, CNN

Jordan Chiles knew her friend was hurting. It was July 28, 2021, and while America was waking up to the shocking news that Simone Biles was withdrawing from the gymnastics all-around competition at the Tokyo Olympics, Chiles could only think about how devastated her teammate must be.

“She’s not a quitter,” Chiles told CNN in Tokyo at the time. “But … she knows her body more than anybody else.”

It’s no secret what happened next, and that’s precisely the point – instead of retreating from the spotlight, Biles openly shared her struggles with mental health, putting the issue front and center as one of the greatest athletes not only of her sport, but arguably of all time.

“Everybody’s mental health journey is unique,” Biles told CNN’s Coy Wire during a recent interview alongside Chiles in Los Angeles. “I’m not the poster child for it, but I’ll support (anyone’s) mental health journey.”

“Now people come up to me and they’re like, ‘I’ve been in therapy for the first time in my life, and thank you so much,’” Biles added. “There’s power in that. And I just know I’m helping people out there.”

Chiles, a two-time Olympian in Tokyo and Paris, was quick to point out that she’s benefited directly from Biles’ example. The two were speaking during their recent Gold Over America Tour, which celebrated the successes of Team USA’s gymnasts.