Miss Americana! Simone Biles wows in red, white, and blue as she showcases her powerful physique on the cover of Glamour - and admits she almost QUIT gymnastics during the pandemic
- Biles, 24, covers the June issue of Glamour in red, white, and blue
- She admits that she became depressed when the pandemic hit and her gym closed, and even considered quitting gymnastics altogether
- Now she focuses on finding happiness outside the gym as well, with self care, therapy, and time with her boyfriend, Houston Texans' Jonathan Owens
- She also tried to learn how to do her hair, nails, and makeup during the pandemic, but says she 'almost ruined my nails'
- Biles said therapy was difficult at first because she thought it was for 'crazy' people, but now she doesn't feel guilty or ashamed and actually enjoys it
Olympic gymnast Simone Biles is flaunting her powerful physique on the cover of the latest issue of Glamour magazine, but inside the gold medalist talks more about her mental health than her physical prowess.
At 24, Biles has won 25 World Championship medals and established herself as the greatest gymnast of all time, but she admits that during the pandemic, she became depressed and 'wanted to give up.'
But since focusing on self-care, therapy, and finding happiness outside the gym, Biles finally feels like 'everything's coming together' — and she's ready to dominate the Tokyo Summer Olympics to on her terms.

Work it! Olympic gymnast Simone Biles is flaunting her powerful physique on the cover of the latest issue of Glamour magazine

Incredible: At 24, Biles has won 25 World Championship medals and established herself as the greatest gymnast of all time

Tough times: She admits that during the pandemic, she became depressed and 'wanted to give up'
Biles covers Glamour this month in a white David Koma dress — with a cutout to show off her perfectly toned midsection — and red, white, and blue Tiffany Rose hair ties woven through an extra long braid.
Though she's the picture of contentment on the cover, the star admitted to the magazine that like so many people, she went through a rough patch in the spring of 2020.
When her gym closed and the Olympics was canceled, she considered giving up the sport all together.
But she got past it, and used some of her downtime to reorganize her priorities.
'Before I would only focus on the gym,' she said. 'But me being happy outside the gym is just as important as me being happy and doing well in the gym. Now it’s like everything’s coming together.'
For Biles, happiness means self care, eating Mexican food, and spending time with her boyfriend, Houston Texans' Jonathan Owens.
She also tried to pick up a hobby, but admits it wasn't quite as successful as she'd hoped.

Focus: Since focusing on self-care, therapy, and finding happiness outside the gym, Biles finally feels like 'everything's coming together'

'Before I would only focus on the gym,' she said. 'But me being happy outside the gym is just as important as me being happy and doing well in the gym'

Cute couple! For Biles, happiness means self care, eating Mexican food, and spending time with her boyfriend, Houston Texans' Jonathan Owens (pictured)
'I feel like everybody was painting, or knitting, or doing something cool in quarantine, so I was like, "I’m going to learn how to do my makeup, my hair, and my nails,"' she said.
'I almost ruined my nails, so that is no longer permitted. I’ve definitely gotten better at doing my hair, but clearly I’m not gifted in that department. I’m just really trying to find who I am.'
But perhaps most important was going to therapy. Biles admitted that it was difficult at first, and she would sit there in silence, insisting to herself that she didn't need to be there because she wasn't 'crazy.'
Once her therapist convinced her that therapy isn't for 'crazy' people — and is just a great place to talk — she loosened up.
'I thought I could figure it out on my own, but that’s sometimes not the case,' she said. 'And that’s not something you should feel guilty or ashamed of.
'Once I got over that fact, I actually enjoyed it and looked forward to going to therapy. It’s a safe space.'

Cover star: Biles also graces the cover of Health magazine's July/August issue

Getting ready: In the gymnast's cover interview, she detailed the self-care routine she follows to ensure she is mentally and physically prepared for the Tokyo Olympic
Biles also covers Health magazine this month, modeling a mix of athletic wear and designer pieces in the July/August issue.
She also opened up to the magazine about mental health, speaking candidly about the precautions she takes to combat burnout and injury as she prepares for the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo.
'I do regular athletic massages and ice massages. I also use compression boots and take Epsom-salt baths,' she said, 'And I see my athletic doctor every Friday for a check-in.'
Biles's self-care extends past the physical, and she credits regular therapy with helping her cope with past trauma and the constant pressure of her sport.
'For a while, I saw a psychologist once every two weeks,' she said. 'That helped me get in tune with myself so that I felt more comfortable and less anxious.'
Biles was one of more than 150 women who was sexually abused by disgraced former USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nasser during his 30-year career.
After publicly sharing her story in 2018, she revealed that she was taking anti-anxiety medication and going to therapy.
![Optimistic: While she struggled with a 'whirlwind of emotions' after the Olympics were postponed due to COVID-19, she said she 'just knew [she'd] be ready'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/06/10/20/44075409-9674019-image-a-3_1623354899945.jpg)
Optimistic: While she struggled with a 'whirlwind of emotions' after the Olympics were postponed due to COVID-19, she said she 'just knew [she'd] be ready'

Self-care: The gold medal-winner gets regular massages, takes Epsom-salt baths, and uses compression boots in addition to seeing her athletic doctor every Friday

Feeling good: Biles also shared that used to see a psychologist once every other week, which helped her 'get in tune' with herself and lessened her anxiety
Prioritizing her mental health was especially important for the athlete when she learned she would have to continue her grueling gymnastics training for another year after the 2020 Olympics were postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
'It was a whirlwind of emotions — I couldn't believe the news,' she told Health. 'I was sad. I was angry. I was annoyed. But I also knew it needed to happen to keep everyone safe and get the virus under control.'
In the trailer for her upcoming Facebook Watch docuseries, Biles expresses concern that she won't be 'just as good' a year later, but she explained to the magazine that she is confident in her training and her ability.
'I knew my coaches would make sure I was ready-no matter how long the postponement was,' she said. 'Of course, another year of training on your body really takes a toll. But I just knew I'd be ready.'
Biles trains at World Champions Centre, the gym founded by her parents, Ron and Nellie Biles, in Spring, Texas.
As a black gymnast in a sport that used to have little diversity, she spoke about the importance of her training at the family-owned gym.

Another gold: Last wee, she claimed her record seventh title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championship (pictured June 6)

Where the magic happens: Biles trains at World Champions Centre, the gym founded by her parents Ron and Nellie Biles in Spring, Texas

Mission: 'Representation matters, and we want to inspire the next generation to pursue their passion,' Biles said of her family-owned gym (pictured at the 2016 Olympics in Rio)
'Representation matters, and we want to inspire the next generation to pursue their passion,' she said. 'Kids can come in and we will be training in the back, and they can see we are just like them. It helps them understand they can do it too.'
Biles is the most decorated American gymnast ever, with 25 combined Olympic and World Championship medals, but that only makes her motivated to do more.
When asked what advice she'd give her younger self, she said she would tell herself 'to not be so stubborn and to be a little bit happier — to know that it's not over just because something happens in one day. You can keep pushing.'
Last week, she claimed her record seventh title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships.
Her two-day total of 119.650 was nearly five points better than runner-up Sunisa Lee and good friend and teammate Jordan Chiles.
Biles's all-around score of 60.100 was her highest since 2018 and served notice she is only getting better with the Tokyo Games just weeks away.