In April, Simone Biles once again stepped into the global spotlight—this time in Madrid—where she was honoured with the 2025 Laureus Sportswoman of the Year award. It was more than just a trophy, it was a tribute to her resilience, brilliance, and her commitment to excellence. Well, just months earlier, at the Paris Olympics, Simone made history as the oldest gymnast to win the Olympic all-around gold medal. She wasn’t just competing—she was redefining the limits of what’s possible. At an age when most gymnasts have long stepped off the mat, Simone returned stronger, fiercer, and more determined than ever, becoming the oldest American gymnast to compete at the Games in over sixty years. So yes, Laureus took notice. And they got it right. But amid her stack of achievements, one must not forget– Simone Biles is human too! 

This latest honour marked Simone’s fourth time receiving the coveted award, placing her in rare company alongside Serena Williams. And with each triumph, it becomes easier for the world to see her as superhuman, a flawless symbol of grace, power, and poise. But here’s the truth that often gets lost in all the applause: Simone Biles is human. And sometimes, even the GOATs can use a bit of help.

After completing a demanding tour in Hong Kong, Simone returned home to Texas, exhausted. On May 31, she shared a photo of herself looking slightly drained, her expression not the usual sparkly smile. Beneath it, a simple but telling question: “serious inquiries only lymphatic drainage massage… location woodlands, texas.” First question here: What does lymphatic drainage massage do? 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, “Lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle form of massage used to relieve inflammation related to lymphedema. Lymphedema is a common side effect of many health conditions.” Maybe a bit of medical knowledge would help in getting the proper meaning in this case. However, lymphatic massage can help decrease swelling in the body and support the lymph nodes in eliminating toxins. Its potential benefits include boosting the immune system, reducing fluid buildup, easing symptoms of neuropathy, and aiding in stress relief. Simone Biles may need any of these benefits, and the need may have driven her to ask for help. However, the post may have a few more meanings. 

The simple ask certainly hints that Simone is asking for inquiries for herself. At the same time, it could also be for someone close to her. Nonetheless, whoever the massage would be for, the hope is that they recover in no time. If we turn back the clock, just a few months ago, the gymnastics world saw the same Simone Biles fighting her battle without giving up. 

Simone Biles faced the pain in the Paris Olympics 

Before Simone Biles Rising hit screens, fans only had bits and pieces to go on—like the sight of her calf wrapped in athletic tape or the boot she wore after competition in Paris. At the time, her team downplayed the concerns. Just precautionary, they said. Nothing to worry about. But the docuseries tells a very different story.

During the first day of gymnastics qualifiers, Simone Biles launched into her notoriously difficult triple-double vault—the Biles II. But the moment her feet left the ground, something felt off. “I was like, ‘Ooh, oh. That hurt really bad. That didn’t feel right.’ I just felt, like, a weird sensation in my calf muscle,” she recalls in the series. What she felt wasn’t just discomfort—it was a sharp, unfamiliar sensation in her calf. Later, her coach Cécile Landi confirmed the diagnosis: a “strain slash tear.”

Still, Biles powered through. She stretched, wrapped her calf in a compression sleeve, and kept competing. It was vintage Biles: pushing through pain, chasing perfection. But that wasn’t the only setback she faced. In the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, Simone also battled a hyperextended knee—another reminder that her body, as strong as it is, isn’t invincible.

The 11-time Olympic medalist even joked about it in the docuseries, calling herself “old for a gymnast,” and admitting she sometimes feels like a “ticking time bomb” when it comes to injuries. So, Simone may be a champion—but she’s also a reminder that strength isn’t just about how high you fly. It’s about knowing when it’s time to land.