Few people will forget 2021, the year Simone Biles—the world’s greatest gymnast and an icon of courage—was publicly branded a “national shame” by Charlie Kirk. At the time, the comments felt like daggers thrown at a young woman already struggling with something invisible yet overwhelming: her own mental health.

Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, had stunned the world not with a routine, but with a decision. During the Tokyo Olympics, she chose to step away, explaining that she was not in the right mental state to compete safely. For millions watching, it was a rare moment of vulnerability from an athlete so often seen as invincible. Yet, instead of universal compassion, she was met with an avalanche of criticism. Leading that chorus was Charlie Kirk, who harshly dismissed her, calling her a disgrace to the nation.

The words cut deeper than most knew at the time. Instead of finding the space to heal, Simone carried not only the weight of her struggles but also the sting of public humiliation. She admitted later that those weeks were some of the darkest of her life, the criticism worsening her already fragile state of mind. While many fans rushed to defend her, the pain of being ridiculed on such a massive stage remained locked away inside her.

Now, years later, after Charlie Kirk’s unexpected death, Simone has finally spoken about what she endured. Her words, heavy with honesty yet radiant with strength, have moved millions across the world.

“I kept quiet because I didn’t want to add more fuel to the fire,” she said softly in a recent interview. “But the truth is, I was broken. When I heard those words—‘national shame’—I believed them. I thought maybe I really was everything they said I was. I wanted to disappear.”

She paused, holding back tears before continuing: “But with time, I realized something important: my worth is not defined by medals, by routines, or by critics who don’t understand what it’s like to carry the weight I carried. My worth is in being human. And if speaking out about my struggles helped even one young person feel less alone, then it was worth it.”

Those words have since reverberated far beyond the gymnastics floor. They became a rallying cry for athletes, for young women, for anyone who has ever been told they are weak for acknowledging their pain. What once was a story of criticism has transformed into a lesson in resilience.

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s passing, Simone’s statement has taken on even greater meaning. While she did not speak with malice or anger, her words carried a quiet power—reminding the world that words can wound, but they can also heal. For years she carried that wound silently. Today, she turns it into strength.

The public’s reaction has been overwhelming. Social media has flooded with support, with hashtags like #WeStandWithSimone and #CourageNotShame trending globally. Athletes from every discipline have echoed her message, thanking her for daring to say out loud what so many have felt privately. Parents have written to her, sharing how her honesty gave their children the courage to ask for help.

What Simone Biles has proven, once again, is that her legacy is not confined to the gymnasium. Yes, she will forever be remembered for her gravity-defying routines and unmatched medals. But perhaps more enduring will be her willingness to show that even icons can break—and in that breaking, teach the world what true strength looks like.

“Today,” she said in closing, “I don’t carry those words with me anymore. I carry my truth. And my truth is that I survived. I got help. And I’m still here.”

Millions who once admired her for her athletic brilliance now admire her even more—for her courage, her honesty, and her humanity. And in that, Simone Biles has shown that even the deepest wounds can become the most powerful sources of light.