At any level, it is a common trend for athletes to push through pain, stay focused under extreme pressure, and put the team above themselves. That’s what makes them great. But what happens when they push too far and something goes unnoticed?
I recently watched Simone Biles’ recent Netflix documentary, and it highlighted the direct link between elite athletes, coaches, and mental wellness. Honing in on a coach's crucial role in developing athletes' skills and safeguarding their mental and emotional well-being.
Pushing through pain has been seen as a sign of strength for years. In sports culture, there’s been a long-standing belief that toughness is about ignoring discomfort and powering through, no matter what. For many coaches, prioritizing wins over wellness became the norm—not because they didn’t care about their athletes, but because the system valued medals and championships above everything else.
The expectation to perform at all costs became ingrained, and any hesitation or withdrawal was sometimes viewed as a weakness. This mentality created a stigma around rest and recovery, which left many athletes feeling like they had no choice but to keep going, even when they were physically or mentally drained.
Simone’s decision to withdraw from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics was a decisive rejection of that narrative. She knew something was off, and performing without complete mental clarity in a sport as dangerous as gymnastics could have ended in injury—or worse. Her decision made headlines worldwide, but what stood out to me most was how her coach responded. There was no resistance or attempt to persuade her to compete. The coach recognized the signs and trusted Simone’s instincts, fully supporting her choice to step back.
That moment struck me because it highlights a key element of coaching: Athletes won’t always advocate for themselves. Many will push through, driven by the desire to succeed or the fear of disappointing others. As a coach, the ability to sense when an athlete is mentally, emotionally, or physically struggling can make all the difference.
The documentary also discussed Kerri Strug’s iconic vault from the 1996 Olympics. Strug injured her ankle on her first attempt but pushed through and performed a second vault, landing on one leg to secure gold. That moment was celebrated for years as the ultimate symbol of grit and sacrifice. But after Simone’s withdrawal from Tokyo, the narrative around that vault started to shift.
Looking back, it raises an important question: Was that kind of sacrifice necessary? And did anyone around Kerri, including her coach, stop to think about the cost? Athletes often internalize the idea that winning means ignoring pain and pushing past their limits. But what if part of a coach’s job is recognizing when an athlete’s desire to push through is no longer in their best interest?
This awareness goes beyond the physical. Athletes also deal with overwhelming mental and emotional pressures. AsSimone said in the documentary, “You can only silence the noise for so long until it gets to you.” That noise—whether from public expectations, the media, or even internal pressure—can be deafening. Coaches should help athletes navigate these pressures by reminding them that their value isn’t tied to wins or medals.
In theory, we often say that athlete well-being comes first. But when the stakes are high, and a gold medal is within reach, how often do coaches—and athletes—truly act on that belief? Simone’s decision forced all of us to confront that question. She could have stayed quiet, competed, and risked serious harm, but instead, she chose her health. Moments like these show how much courage it takes to step back—and how much trust it takes for a coach to support that choice without hesitation.
This is where coach awareness becomes essential. It’s about knowing your athletes well enough to recognize when something is wrong, even if they don’t say it. It’s about being proactive, building trust, and creating a culture where athletes feel safe speaking up. And sometimes, it’s about being the one to say, “It’s okay to stop,” when an athlete can’t say it themselves.
This kind of cultural shift won’t happen overnight. But it starts with moments like Simone’s—and with coaches willing to prioritize well-being, even at the cost of a win. In the end, what really matters isn’t just whether athletes reach the top, but whether they leave the sport healthy, whole, and proud of their journey.
So maybe the question isn’t just how hard should I push my athletes, but also when do I pull back? And how do I make sure my athletes know that it’s okay if they need to take a step back, too?
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