Tapped out for Mental Health reasons. I have read in other posts from gymnasts they are calling it the twisties. Something that many gymnasts go through but I bet very few of us have actually heard about it. I will let the gymnasts explain the twisties. They are the experts.

I am sure we will hear more about it through the next few days.

The piece I want to focus in on is the courage for her to take herself into consideration before everyone else. That is not selfish that is self care.

If she would have Pushed through as so many people would have she could have literally hurt herself for life. She could have damaged her back, her neck, broke her leg so many things could have gone wrong because she was not in a good mental state for competition at the level she was in. She knew she was not in a good state of mind because of the mistakes she was making. THE MISTAKES were a sign to her that something was not right! Think about that!

Instead she decided to take care of herself. Take care of her team. She CHOSE to step out. She chose to trust her team mates with the task at hand instead of damaging herself and the experience they are in. She chose herself first.

Can you imagine the disappointment and the concern from others she is feeling- from her teammates- her coaches- the millions watching her on tv- yet she chose herself first anyway.

That takes courage and as I kept watching her stand by her team you could see the relief in her face for taking herself out of a situation that was not safe for her. She cheered her teammates on to a Silver medal. She was also the first of the team to go over and congratulate the gold medal winners and made sure her team went with her. Also a sign of a good leader. They all cheered each other on even though they were all competing against each other for a slab of gold,silver or bronze.

They did both. They are fierce competitors AND supported each other. I enjoy the competition and cheering on the USA as much as anyone. I also love to see that support each team has for each other. They actually appreciate the work that everyone has put in to get to the Olympics.

Self care is no Joke. Many of my clients learn self care once they have a diagnosis of some kind like cancer. That is when they learn its ok to put themselves first. Or they get an illness that isn’t going to go away. It doesn’t have to go to that level. We can baby step into learning how to care for ourselves.

I have tapped out more in the last year than I ever have before. I am a pusher through and through. I will push through when I know damn well it isn’t good for me.

This last year I didn’t push. I surrendered. I just didn’t have the energy to push. I just needed time and that was super frustrating to me and probably those around me.

Death and Illness took over for a bit this year in my life. ( 13 deaths and covid) Its taken a while to get my groove back. I very much disappointed people around me. I left groups. I shifted my schedule to suit me instead of my clients ( OUCH that one was tough) I said no A LOT. I let myself have more support from those around me. I kept going with my mentor and hired a trainer. I saw my chiropractor way more than normal. I had body work and healing sessions. I have taken SO much time for myself and I am just about to take another week. This time, with my family and I get to go to a place I love. I am investing in my mental health. Recharging at the core.

I have felt guilty and angry and frustrated that I needed time. Then I would remember if I don’t take the time now it will turn into something that forces me to take the time. Simone probably had a similar thought- I could push through but the chances of me hurting myself while flying in the air is to great. I am choosing to care for myself and tapping out.

Tapping out, taking time, time out. I don’t care what you call it but lets all work on this together. Encourage people to care for themselves. Encourage the taps. I do think we have times where we need to push through for sure. I am not ignoring that piece. I just wanted to highlight those times that you really do need to chose yourself do it. She showed the world you can choose yourself and everyone still survives.

We all have our own experience of the twisties. The trick is to recognize when its happening and start doing something about it that turns the self care back on yourself. And for those in the twisties energy- show them some compassion as they find their groove again.