Olympic gymnast Jade Carey has opened up about her own experience with the mental block known as the “twisties,” which can cause a disconnect between a gymnast’s mind and body during complex moves.
Understanding the ‘Twisties’
In an interview with Elle, published on July 17, Carey, 23, shared her struggles with the mental challenge that affects many gymnasts. “It’s something a lot of us go through,” Carey explained. “A few years ago, I was learning all of these harder elite tumbling passes, and I started to confuse the two harder passes that I was learning. So it resulted in me not knowing where I was in the air and getting really confused.”
She went on to describe the frustrating experience, saying, “It’s frustrating, because you can see yourself do it in your head, and you know you know how to do it, because you’ve done it before, but your body is not allowing you to.”
Simone Biles and the ‘Twisties’
Carey isn’t the only gymnast to face this challenge. In 2021, fellow Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles made headlines when she pulled out of several events at the Tokyo Olympics due to the twisties. Biles explained that the mental block left her unable to properly assess her position in the air, making her landing unsafe.
“I didn’t have a bad performance & quit,” Biles said at the time. “I’ve had plenty of bad performances throughout my career and finished the competition. I simply got so lost [that] my safety was at risk as well as a team medal.”
How Jade Carey Cope With the ‘Twisties’
When Carey experiences the twisties, she takes a step back to reset. “I always handled those situations by taking a step back, going back to the basics, building it back up again, or going into the pit until you feel really 100 percent confident,” Carey shared. “It is frustrating to have to go backwards, but it is part of this sport.”
Preparing for the 2024 Olympics
Carey’s openness about her struggles with the twisties highlights the mental and physical toll of elite gymnastics. As she prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics, she will once again represent Team USA alongside Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Hezly Rivera, and traveling alternates Leanne Wong and Joscelyn Roberson. The 2024 Summer Olympics are set to kick off on July 26 in Paris.
Carey’s resilience and determination continue to inspire as she faces the pressures of competing at the highest level, reminding fans and fellow athletes that mental health is just as important as physical strength in the pursuit of excellence.