Simone Biles says near-death medical emergency 'shifted her perspective'

Simone Biles has reflected on a recent health scare she described as a “life-changing” near-death experience, saying it has significantly shifted her perspective on life.

The Olympic gymnast, 29, revealed earlier this month that she had gone through a serious medical emergency, later describing it as one of the “scariest experiences” of her life.

Biles addressed the situation publicly after facing criticism online for sharing vacation photos with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, shortly after the incident.

Responding to a social media comment questioning her trip, Biles explained that she had recently endured a severe medical emergency and that her time away was part of her recovery process.

“A little over two weeks ago, I experienced a serious medical emergency that could have ended very differently and this trip has been part of allowing myself to heal and appreciate being here,” she wrote.

She added that the experience had changed her outlook, urging others to show more understanding toward people going through difficult moments.

“I hope you understand that life changing experiences can shift your perspective, and that you're able to extend a little more grace to others moving forward,” she said.

The seven-time Olympic gold medallist first alerted fans on June 6 when she posted a hospital image on Instagram Stories showing multiple medical bracelets on her arm. At the time, she described the ordeal as one of the most frightening experiences she had ever faced.

“Almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card this week,” she wrote, adding that she had spent the week resting in bed while her husband was away for training.

She later thanked her close friends and family for their support, sharing images of flowers and her home environment during recovery.

Beyond the recent scare, Biles has previously spoken about the mental and emotional pressures of elite competition, saying she has relied on therapy to help manage the demands of her career and public life.

She has credited therapy with helping her stay grounded and maintain her mental well-being throughout her journey as one of the most decorated gymnasts in history.

Biles continues to focus on recovery while maintaining privacy around the exact details of her medical emergency.