If you followed the 2024 Paris Olympics, you probably think you saw it all. The gold medals, the goat-themed necklaces, the jaw-dropping Yurchenko double pike. But the Netflix docuseries Simone Biles Rising hits differently because it shows the stuff the NBC cameras couldn't catch—the messy, stressful, and honestly pretty scary moments that almost kept the greatest gymnast of all time from ever stepping on a plane to France.
Basically, this isn't just a highlight reel. It’s a raw look at a comeback that felt impossible back in 2021.
Breaking Down the Simone Biles Rising Episodes
Netflix decided to split this journey into two parts. It makes sense when you think about it. Part 1 was the "how did we get here?" and Part 2 was the "did she actually pull it off?"
Here is how the episodes actually roll out:
Episode 1: "Write me down in history..."
This one dropped on July 17, 2024. It’s heavy. You see Simone at her home in Texas, looking back at the 2020 Tokyo Games. She talks about the "twisties"—that terrifying mental block where your brain and body stop communicating mid-air. Imagine being twenty feet up and suddenly not knowing where the floor is. Yeah, terrifying. It covers her withdrawal and the absolute vitriol she faced from people calling her a "quitter."
Episode 2: "I will not be broken"
Released alongside the first episode, this one transitions into her return to the gym. It’s not a smooth ride. She’s working with her coaches, Cécile and Laurent Landi, trying to find the joy in a sport that had become a source of trauma. You get to see her marriage to NFL player Jonathan Owens and how having a life outside the gym actually made her better at gymnastics.
Episode 3: "I Will Defy the Odds"
This episode kicked off Part 2 on October 25, 2024. Now we're in the pressure cooker. It follows her through the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. She’s 27 now. In gymnastics years, that’s basically ancient. The episode shows her fighting through a calf injury that had everyone holding their breath. Honestly, seeing her limp backstage while trying to qualify for her third Olympics is one of the most stressful things you'll watch.
Episode 4: "I Will Rise"
The finale. It’s all about Paris. We see the behind-the-scenes reality of the Olympic Village and the intense anxiety of the team finals. It’s not just about winning; it’s about her finally "writing her own ending" after the heartbreak of Tokyo.
Why These Episodes Actually Matter
Most sports docs feel like a long commercial for the athlete. This one feels more like a therapy session. Director Katie Walsh got some seriously intimate access. There’s a scene in the first half where Simone is literally going through her "forbidden Olympic closet," pulling out the leotard she wore during that fateful vault in Tokyo. You can see the physical reaction she has just touching the fabric. It’s heavy stuff.
The series also doesn't shy away from the dark side of the sport. It talks about Larry Nassar. It talks about the "militaristic" training at the Karolyi Ranch. It basically says: Simone didn't just have a bad day in Tokyo; she had a decade of baggage that finally caught up to her.
The Stuff People Missed
- The Calf Injury: In episode 3, we see just how close she came to not being able to compete. It wasn't just a "tweak." It was a legitimate concern that followed her all the way to the floor exercise in Paris.
- The "Mean" Simone: In a reddit-worthy moment of honesty, Simone admits she gets "really mean" during meets. Not because she’s a jerk, but because the stress is so high she just can't deal with anything else. She cries. She snaps. She’s human.
- The Therapy Journey: She’s very open about the fact that she didn't just "get over" her mental health struggles. She mentions she’ll likely be in therapy for the rest of her life.
Is there more coming?
A lot of fans are asking if we'll get a Season 2. As of now, the four Simone Biles Rising episodes tell a complete story from Tokyo to Paris. However, Simone hasn't officially ruled out the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. She’s been kinda coy about it, saying she's "never say never." If she decides to go for a fourth Games at age 31, you can bet the cameras will be rolling again.
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Actionable Takeaways from Simone's Journey
If you’re watching this for more than just the flips, there are some real-world lessons in here:
- Trust your gut over the noise: Simone knew something was wrong in Tokyo before anyone else did. Listening to her body probably saved her from a paralyzing injury.
- Maintenance over "fixes": Don't look at mental health like a broken bone you fix once. Like Simone says, it’s a "forever thing."
- Diversify your identity: A big reason she could come back was because she realized she was more than just a gymnast. Whether you're an athlete or a cubicle warrior, don't let your job be your entire personality.
- The "Revenge Tour" is for you, not them: She didn't come back to prove the haters wrong; she came back to prove to herself that she could finish on her own terms.
If you haven't watched the later episodes yet, grab some tissues. The redemption arc in the final episode is one for the history books.
Next Steps for You:
- Check out the Gold Over America Tour footage if you want to see her in a more relaxed, celebratory environment.
- Watch the 2021 documentary Simone vs Herself for an even deeper look at the immediate aftermath of the Tokyo "twisties."