Simone Biles’ Olympic Return Shows Why CEO Mental Health Matters

Managers and athletes have more in common than most people think. Both of these places, at the top, require a lot of travel and a long time away from home and exist in pressure-cooker environments where criticism and scrutiny are constant. In both categories, there is an expectation of being the strongest wannabe, with no signs of depression or disarmament. With the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris underway, many were eager to see the best athletes, and one of them who returned to the top was Simone Biles.

Biles just won her third gold medal at the Paris Olympics, and is a few events away from adding to her current Olympic medal haul. While his awards and high-profile performances are important, his trip to Paris is an important reminder for CEOs, founders and business leaders. At the 2020 Tokyo Games, Biles was favored to win six medals and was considered the “face of the Games.” Instead, he left with two medals (silver and bronze). Speaking about her experience with NBC’s Mike Tirico, Biles revealed the pressure of performing and her struggle with “twisties,” a phenomenon in which gymnasts experience a lack of coordination between of the mind and body when they are in the spirit.

After dismissing it as a freak, Biles faced it again and did not compete in most of the scheduled events. Although she didn’t win much gold, Biles highlighted the serious problem of mental health in high-stress environments. In business, you can exchange awards for IPOs, mergers and acquisitions, tax purposes, corporate restructuring, shareholder pressure, public scrutiny, and more. Biles’ journey from the Tokyo Games to Paris highlights two important lessons for CEOs trying to perform at the highest levels while maintaining their mental health.

Pay Attention to Your Check Engine Lights and Turn on the Brakes

Biles, along with her team of experts and self-awareness, was able to assess her situation and make decisions that prioritize her mental health. As he emphasizes in his interview, “Put mental health first. It doesn’t matter if you’re on the biggest stage; that’s more important than any award you can win.” With 55% of CEOs experiencing mental health problems in the past year, many try to manage and ignore internal problems. Whether it’s a professional athlete or a business executive, taking a break is often frowned upon in favor of “moving” and “grinding.”

This process leads to fatigue, which affects your well-being, organization, and important relationships, such as with family. Just as the check engine light serves as a warning for your car, CEOs should not ignore check engine lights in their daily lives. Physical ailments, mental fatigue, depression, or emotional problems—deal with them as soon as they arise and seek support. Professional athletes understand that rest allows muscles to regenerate and grow. In business, you can’t always keep your foot on the gas. Relaxation and recreation with a plan that provides respite from the daily demands is not only stress relief; they help you grow professionally.

Establish a Board of Health Directors

No one succeeds alone, and many high performers experience varying degrees of loneliness. Biles spoke of the “loneliness of being expected to win,” a sentiment echoed by athletes such as Michael Phelps and Naomi Osaka. As she rebuilt herself mentally and physically, Biles leaned on a board of directors for support, including her husband, coaches, teammates and parents.

Just as CEOs have a board that guides the organization’s decisions, leaders should approach their well-being with the same objective. While running a company and dealing with the challenges of being a CEO of similar divisions, each leader’s experience is unique. Therefore, building your own welfare board will be tailored to your needs. Key areas include individuals or groups that help maintain important personal relationships, manage physical health, provide opportunities to resolve mental and emotional problems, and deal with work stress. .

Administrative stress and the ongoing pressure to perform are not abating any time soon. These challenges are part of the package of being a CEO and leader. Although the pressure cooking environment may not subside, your approach to it can be changed and improved. As seen with the comebacks of Biles and other athletes, taking a strategic break to restructure and rehabilitate is not a sign of weakness but a strategy for a healthy and strong comeback.