Honestly, watching Simone Biles compete feels like witnessing a glitch in the matrix. You see her launch off a vault, and for a split second, physics just stops applying. But then Tokyo happened. The "twisties" happened. And suddenly, the G.O.A.T. was human.
If you’ve spent any time on Netflix recently, you’ve probably seen the thumbnail for the documentary series. It’s called Simone Biles Rising, and it isn’t just another highlight reel of gold medals. It’s a raw, sometimes uncomfortable look at what happens when your brain decides to go on strike while your body is thirty feet in the air.
Most people think they know the story. They saw the headlines in 2021. They heard the talking heads calling her a "quitter." But the Simone Biles Rising episodes tell a much deeper, messier story about trauma, marriage, and the sheer audacity of coming back when everyone—including yourself—thought you were done.
The Breakdown: What Each Episode Actually Covers
The series is split into two parts, totaling four episodes. Netflix dropped the first two in July 2024, right before the Paris Olympics, and the final two arrived in October 2024.
Episode 1: Write Me Down in History
This one starts in the dirt. Literally. We see Simone in Houston, working on her "forever home" with her husband, NFL safety Jonathan Owens. But the heart of the episode is the 2020 Tokyo Games (held in 2021).
It’s painful to rewatch. You see the exact moment her mind disconnects from her body on that fateful vault. Director Katie Walsh doesn't shy away from the aftermath: Simone sitting in her mother's house, scrolling through vitriolic tweets. She admits she wanted to quit "500,000 times."
Episode 2: I Will Not Be Broken
This episode shifts focus to the toxic "old world" of gymnastics. We’re talking about The Ranch—the Karolyi era where pain was a badge of honor and smiling was basically banned.
Simone talks about the Larry Nassar abuse, not as a distant memory, but as a weight she was still carrying in Tokyo. It’s heavy stuff. But we also see her starting to find joy again. She moves to Green Bay to support Jonathan. She does therapy. She starts training again, not because she has to, but because she wants to.
Episode 3: I Will Defy the Odds
By now, the vibe changes. It’s the lead-up to Paris 2024. Simone is 27—an "elderly" person in gymnastics years. The episode dives into the physical toll. She’s dealing with a calf injury and a wonky knee.
There’s a great scene where she’s just being a person in the Olympic Village, getting stopped by other world-class athletes who are basically fan-girling over her. It highlights the weird isolation of being that famous.
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Episode 4: I Will Rise
The finale. Paris. Redempton. We see the behind-the-scenes of her winning the team gold and the all-around title. But more importantly, we see the "buffer." In Tokyo, she was alone due to COVID-19. In Paris, her family is everywhere.
The "Twisties" Aren't What You Think
One of the most valuable parts of the Simone Biles Rising episodes is the scientific explanation of the twisties. It’s not just "nerves."
It’s a biological "freeze" response. When your brain perceives high-stress as life-threatening danger, it shuts down the "autopilot" system that athletes rely on. For a gymnast, that means losing your sense of where the ground is.
Imagine driving a car at 100mph and suddenly the steering wheel vanishes. That’s what Simone was dealing with.
Why This Docuseries Hits Different
Most sports docs are about the "grind." This one is about the "pause."
It features interviews with legends like Aly Raisman and Dominique Dawes, who provide context on why Simone’s decision to withdraw was so revolutionary. In their day, you pushed through a broken bone. You didn't talk about your feelings. Simone changed the rules of the game by saying, "My life is worth more than a medal."
Specific Details You Might Have Missed:
- The Tattoo: The series title comes from a tattoo on Simone's collarbone that reads "And still I rise," a nod to Maya Angelou.
- The Marriage: Her relationship with Jonathan Owens is a massive plot point. He’s her "safe space," someone who sees her as Simone, not the "Greatest of All Time."
- The Therapy: She is incredibly open about seeing her therapist, even during the heat of competition.
The Legacy of the Rising Episodes
What’s the takeaway here? Basically, that resilience isn't about never falling. It’s about how you rebuild the foundation after the house collapses.
The series successfully humanizes a superhero. It shows that even if you're the best in the world, you’re still allowed to be vulnerable. You're allowed to set boundaries.
If you're looking for actionable insights from Simone’s journey, it’s these:
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- Prioritize the foundation: You can't perform at a high level if your mental health is a wreck.
- Basics matter: When Simone came back, she didn't start with triple-doubles. She started with the basics to regain her confidence.
- Audit your circle: Surround yourself with people who love you for who you are, not what you do.
The next time you see her stick a landing, remember the episodes where she couldn't even find the floor. That’s the real story.
Next Steps for Fans:
To get the most out of the documentary, watch the episodes in chronological order rather than jumping to the Paris finale. Pay close attention to the interviews with her coaches, Laurent and Cecile Landi, to understand the technical adjustments they made to keep her safe while her "air awareness" returned. Check out the "Gold Over America Tour" footage online to see the lighter, more expressive side of her gymnastics that she mentions in Episode 4.