Simone Biles Has Gold Medals Where She Says Matters Most: Therapy
Simone Biles is the most accomplished gymnast in the entire history of the sport. Literally. She's highly decorated with Olympic Gold medals, is mentoring young Black gymnasts that compete alongside her, and even has never-before-seen moves named in her honor (no, I'm not kidding). But with accomplishment and competing at a monumental level--which it almost seems as if it's her versus her--comes pain and internal struggles that many may not consider.
And in a recent interview with Glamour Magazine, she opened up about all the above. From the challenges she faces as an athlete, to the person she is once the gold medals are stripped away, as she competes with quite literally herself, is why we loved this interview.
And how she copes with the rush of being the best wherever is goes, is what humanizes her most, because it's exactly how many of us cope as well: through therapy.
She tells Glamour:
"I've learned it's OK to ask for help if you need it. [But] one of the very first sessions, I didn't talk at all. I just wouldn't say anything. I was like, 'I'm not crazy. I don't need to be here.'"
But as her therapist explained, therapy wasn't for people who are "crazy"; it was just an outlet for her to be able to talk about anything going on in her life—gymnastics or otherwise.
"I thought I could figure it out on my own, but that's sometimes not the case. 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."
Additionally, self-care is a major component in Simone Biles' life, as she consistently surrounds herself with what she loves most.
"Before I would only focus on the gym. 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."
This balance includes baths with Dr. Teal's, Mexican food because she's "obsessed with cheese, so I start with queso and beef," relaxing with her boyfriend, Houston Texans safety Jonathan Owens (they met on the celeb dating app Raya), and trying to find a hobby.
"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.' 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."
I adored this interview in a multitude of ways because how relatable she instantly became. Simone Biles is a figure of perfection and a constant desire to outperform each time she is in competition. Seeing her be vulnerable, and open up to the reader, is refreshing.
What's also refreshing, is seeing the mega-champion go viral for fixing the hair of a young Black gymnast on her team, a move that symbolizes mountains more than hair to so many Black women and youth around the world. And Simone doesn't take those moments lightly. She, alongside her parents, even opened a 52,000-square-foot facility designed around training and mentoring young athletes.
"I've already done quite a lot, but I'm still trying to reach new heights and see what I'm capable of. And I hope people look back on my career and say, "Wow, she was actually really happy doing this, and she was good. I think that speaks volumes."
Us, too, sis.
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Featured image via Craig Barritt/Getty Images for SK-II
Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
Meet The Designer Behind This Megan Thee Stallion "Hiss" Video Look
When Megan Thee Stallion dropped “Hiss,” a shift happened. From the audacious lyrics to the striking visuals, there was no doubt that the song and video would go viral. The opening of the video shows the H-town hottie rocking a barely there Shibari red dress, showing off her voluptuous frame. It was a sexy moment created by Timeekah Murphy of Alani Taylor. The designer exclusively tells us how the opportunity came about and what it was like seeing her design on Megan for the first time.
Timeekah Murphy
Photo courtesy
xoNecole: How did the opportunity to create such an iconic look for Megan Thee Stallion's "Hiss" video come about?
Timeekah Murphy: The opportunity came from a DM from celebrity stylist Zerina Akers. She asked for a unique Shibari piece for Megan, and I needed to get it done in two days. So, of course, I did everything in my power to make it happen. I've always wanted to design for Megan, so this was an awesome opportunity for me.
xoN: What was that initial feeling of seeing the dress on her for the first time?
TM: I was shocked because, at first, I thought it hadn't been used. I saw Megan's last video and thought, damn, maybe it didn't fit. So, to see it on such an amazing video was breathtaking. I was beyond excited to finally say I designed for her.
xoN: Did you meet her? If so, how was that moment?
TM: I didn't meet Megan during the shoot, but during my time in LA, I got the opportunity to meet her at LA Pride with Tiffany Haddish, Common, and EJ King (stylist). Megan is such an amazing person, so it made it even better to know that my designs were going to be worn by her. I was shocked because, at first, I thought it hadn't been used. I saw Megan's last video and thought, damn, maybe it didn't fit. So, to see it on such an amazing video was breathtaking. I was beyond excited to finally say I designed for her.
"I was shocked because, at first, I thought it hadn't been used. I saw Megan's last video and thought, damn, maybe it didn't fit. So, to see it on such an amazing video was breathtaking. I was beyond excited to finally say I designed for her."
Photo courtesy
xoN: Walk us through the creation of the dress. How did you come up with the look, and how long did it take to make it?
TM: I was the co-designer for a brand called Deviant in 2018-2020, and we used to make custom Shibari pieces. That's how Zerina knew me. So I'm very familiar with making these types of pieces. We made plenty for Beyoncé, Cardi B, Tiffany Haddish, Tyra Banks, and so many others. So Zerina knew exactly what she wanted.
To get it done, it took me a day and a half. It's very intricate and time-consuming, so I spent about six hours making it then I sent an image of it to Zerina, and she didn't approve the first one, so I had to start from scratch again after getting my guidance and understanding of what was needed. The next day, I went to The Lab and created another version, and she approved it. I had to get it shipped overnight so that she would get it in time and fast forward to seeing it on the big screen.
xoN: What's next for you?
TM: Everything. The sky is not my limit, so the Alani Taylor brand is expanding into so many different avenues. We are getting involved in the community more, offering sewing classes to the youth. I've opened up a store for my brand in Atlanta and now preparing for fall/winter Fashion Week.
Megan Thee Stallion "Hiss" video/ YouTube
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I love working in media; more specifically, I love being a writer and editor in the media space. It allows me to use my skills to tell riveting and relatable stories that can be useful for readers. Working at xoNecole has allowed me the freedom to tell those stories on a grander scale, and seeing the response from our readers gives me the greatest pleasure, and it lets me know that we are doing something right.
It’s been 11 years since I embarked on a career in journalism. I’ve worked at a variety of outlets, some freelance and some full-time, and have discovered so many facets of the industry. So, would you be surprised if I told you that I never saw this career in the cards for me?
When I recall my years in school, there were two subjects I always loved: History and English. History because I just loved learning about different cultures, religions, and the world before I arrived and English because I loved to write. I enjoyed writing assignments, and my teachers would always tell me how good of a writer I was. In my spare time, I enjoyed reading magazines and began writing poetry and songs about love and heartbreak (y’all remember how intense high school romances were).
I took journalism as an elective and was even on the Yearbook staff. However, when it came down to choosing my college major and a possible career, media/ journalism was nowhere on my radar. I loved writing, but was it a career? Could I make money from it?
Throughout my matriculation, I changed my major a few times. I mean, I knew I wanted to do something creative, but what? I finally settled on journalism only because I knew I enjoyed writing, and at that point, I needed to choose something and stick with it. But even with the fun class projects and internships, I still didn’t believe journalism would be my career path. However, I was good at it, and I was networking with others in the industry. So, after graduating, I worked other jobs but continued writing. Finally, I got my big break as an editor, and I haven’t looked back since.
Looking at my journey, you can say that being an editor was divine, and maybe I was running from it. A lot of us are taught to find a steady career that pays well, and baby, I always saw myself living large. But I was always a creative, and I knew that I wanted a career path that would allow me to express myself.
While you can have a lucrative career in media, a lot of people don’t, and with the current layoffs that started at the top of this year, it’s even scarier to think of the future of this industry. However, to not be obsolete, writers and editors must stay ahead of the curve and be open to change. No one should be able to tell you that you can’t turn your passion into your profession.
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