Drinking alcohol is fun. It feels great. It removes inhibitions. It’s one of the best feelings you’ll ever feel. Until is isn’t.
The Tryin Times is dedicated to athletes and individuals who know the dark truths exist and acknowledge their road, all of it. Here at the Tryin Times we speak about things that people may not want to, or feel like. It is truly in dedication to honesty, a rising spirit, and getting out of the dark. This never ends. I will never quit trying to show people the light in the dark.
Simone Biles is a polarizing figure. She is one of the most prestigious athletes in American Olympic history, a groundbreaker and a showman. As many know she ripped into headlines worldwide when she made a decision to step down amidst competition of the highest level in Tokyo. She made this decision predicated on her mental health, along with a case of the “twisties,” the gymnast version of the “yips”.
She put out a tweet last night that I happened to scroll over this morning and it made me feel sad. Simply she just said “I can literally feel this tequila running through my body.”
I can literally feel this tequila running through my body
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) August 13, 2021
If I could talk to Simone, I’d tell her that she doesn’t need to drink to cope. There’s a difference between drinking and drinking to cope. I would also tell her that the feeling of alcohol is the next step of drinking it. What she is pointing out in this tweet is something I’ve felt myself, and thoroughly enjoyed many times. I have not competed in gymnastics, but I have met gymnasts, and heard how grueling and intense of a sport it is. Borderline psychopathy from coaches and athletes. Not to mention the rampant sexual assault in girl’s gymnastics. Quite a bit of feelings and emotions and a comedown from any athletics, let alone a sport so grueling, and now… regret. Any competitor doesn’t feel good about not being able to compete.
I don’t know her, and I don’t pretend to. But I do know athletes, and was one. I know the feeling after the dream is over. I’ve said many times, some of the best advice I ever received was “Ahletes Die Twice.” I too drank to cope, and would be still if not for unconditional love of family and a supportive loving partner.
People who weren’t afraid of my worst, and faced my demons with me. This gives me trust that love can conquer anything.
If she does drink, and often, it wouldn’t surprise me to see some of the mental health struggle she is experiencing could be in part to alcohol. I know this because I experienced it myself in college as I too was struggling with injury. My physical performance suffered as well, despite being in peak physical condition.
I’m not afraid to talk about it now, because I want to show others to talk. It’s that simple. Talk. Tell the truth. The truth NEVER hurts as much as hiding it.
I feel as though alcohol becomes the one thing that allows people to be truthful. This is an unfortunate and KEY detrimental aspect of alcohol. When you begin to rely on alcohol to be truthful, or to have uncomfortable conversations, or to cope with an internal feeling, you are not being truthful to your SELF. You are covering your SELF up, and hiding.
It becomes easier and easier to hide and cope. I too believed that partying and boozing and drugging was cool because everyone was so “real” while they did it. (I don’t necessarily disagree now, because I do still enjoy watching people I don’t know get fucked up.) I began to recognize the toll it was taking on my physical body, and most of all my mental health. So now it hurts me to see people hurt themselves.
I want to help them see that their wounds are beautiful, their stories are amazing, and they can shine brighter without booze.
If she doesn’t drink, and this is a new feeling to her, this is a warning to those around her to step up to the plate and help her understand this new feeling is not one that will take away the ones she is trying to get rid of. It will only bury them deeper until they grow within you, and eventually consume all of you.
Alcohol is a joke to many, and I probably sound like a creepy priest to some, but alcohol is evil. It will trick you into believing it isn’t.
