I can only control what I do when I go compete.
Simone BilesRead
Sometimes I hear the crowd cheering, and most of the time your body's on auto pilot, so sometimes even after I do a floor routine, I'm like, 'Did I really just do that?'
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the experience of performing under pressure and the dissociation that can occur during intense moments.
Simone Biles speaks to the paradox of performing in front of an audience where one can feel both the thrill of the cheer and the disengagement of the mind from the body. This highlights the intense focus and dedication required in gymnastics, where athletes often find themselves executing routines on 'auto pilot', creating moments of disbelief in their own achievements despite the external validation.
Themes
PerformanceAuto PilotGymnasticsAchievementPressure
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a motivational speech for athletes.
More from Simone Biles
All quotes →I always say my biggest competitor is myself because, whenever I step out there on the mat, I'm competing against myself to prove that I can do this and that I am very well trained, prepared for it.
Simone BilesRead
It was a very long and hard decision. My dad kept telling me, 'You can always go to college, but you can't always go pro.' That made sense to me.
Simone BilesRead
Always work hard and have fun in what you do because I think that's when you're more successful. You have to choose to do it.
Simone BilesRead
We've always had each other's backs in and out of competition. We support each other the most because we're the only ones that know what it's like to go through what we do, and so we can't be more thankful for each other. We're like sisters.
Simone BilesRead
A successful competition for me is always going out there and putting 100 percent into whatever I'm doing. It's not always winning. People, I think, mistake that it's just winning. Sometimes it could be, but for me, it's hitting the best sets I can, gaining confidence, and having a good time and having fun.
Simone BilesRead
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