Call Her Daddy Podcast Summary

Episode: Simone Biles: “I Thought America Hated Me” (FBF)
Release Date: May 9, 2025
Host: Alex Cooper
Guest: Jonathan Owens (Simone Biles' Husband)

1. Introduction and Background

In this emotional and candid episode of Call Her Daddy, Alex Cooper welcomes Jonathan Owens, the husband of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles. The conversation delves deep into Jonathan's personal journey, his relationship with Simone, and the challenges faced during Simone's illustrious gymnastics career.

2. Early Life and Adoption

Jonathan Owens opens up about his early years, sharing the profound impact of being adopted at the age of six. He speaks about the struggles of being separated from his biological siblings and the anxiety it caused him.

Jonathan Owens [07:01]: "For me, it means the world. Being adopted since I was six years old has been a long road and journey..."

He discusses the unwavering support from his adoptive parents, highlighting their dedication by never missing any of his competitions except during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jonathan Owens [07:35]: "Their support means the world to me. They've never missed a competition, anything besides 2020..."

3. Journey into Gymnastics

Jonathan recounts how he and his sister were introduced to gymnastics during a daycare field trip. Despite having no prior experience, Jonathan's natural aptitude for the sport was evident.

Jonathan Owens [12:09]: "We got into gymnastics from a daycare field trip. I saw these girls flipping around, and I thought, I could do that."

His coaches recognized his potential early on, prompting him to commit fully to gymnastics over other activities like cheerleading.

4. The Pressure of Success

As Jonathan's gymnastics career soared, he felt the immense pressure of living up to expectations. Being seen as the "strong one" among his peers made it difficult for him to show vulnerability.

Jonathan Owens [14:05]: "Everybody else always saw it... I thought they were just giving me compliments because I'm so short."

Despite his success, Jonathan grappled with insecurities and the fear of not measuring up, a common struggle among elite athletes.

5. Mental Health Struggles and "The Twisties"

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Jonathan's battle with mental health, particularly during the Tokyo Olympics. He explains "the twisties," a phenomenon where gymnasts lose their spatial awareness, leading to dangerous performances.

Jonathan Owens [47:28]: "The twisties are like your mind and body disconnecting. It's terrifying because you're essentially driving a car without knowing how to control it."

Jonathan shares his decision to withdraw from his vault routine during the Olympics to prioritize his mental well-being, despite the stigma and misunderstanding surrounding mental health in sports.

Jonathan Owens [42:22]: "As soon as I landed, I thought America hated me. The world is gonna hate me."

6. Tokyo Olympics Experience

During the Tokyo Olympics, Jonathan experienced a mental breakdown mid-competition, leading him to abandon his vault routine. This act of self-preservation was met with mixed reactions from his team and the public.

Jonathan Owens [48:23]: "I go to tell my coach, I'm done. I'm not doing anymore because I don't know how much else I can survive."

He describes the overwhelming feelings of failure and the fear of letting down his team and country.

Jonathan Owens [51:29]: "Everything hurts, but my knees are fine. My brain hurts."

7. Post-Olympics and Healing

After the Olympics, Jonathan embarked on a speaking tour, "Gold Over America," where he shared his experiences and advocated for mental health awareness. The tour became a therapeutic outlet for him, helping him process his trauma and connect with fans who were also struggling.

Jonathan Owens [60:15]: "Therapy helped me realize there's more to life than gymnastics. The tour filled my cup up."

He emphasizes the importance of continuous therapy and the support system that helped him navigate his healing process.

Jonathan Owens [72:07]: "Keep up with my therapy, even on the hard days."

8. Relationship with Jonathan Owens

The conversation shifts to Jonathan's relationship with his husband, Jonathan Owens, an NFL player. They met on the dating app Raya and have built a strong, supportive partnership despite the challenges of long-distance and public scrutiny.

Jonathan Owens [78:04]: "I thought, 'I'm gonna marry him.' It was a Covid relationship, but we got through it together."

They discuss the viral moment when Jonathan's interview seemingly downplayed Simone's fame, leading to public backlash. Jonathan defends his husband, highlighting his kindness and support.

Jonathan Owens [86:10]: "They were mad that he didn't include me in the interview, but he has his moments too."

9. Legacy and Future Plans

Jonathan concludes by reflecting on his legacy, aiming to advocate for mental health, foster care, and ADHD awareness. He aspires to be remembered as someone who gave his all, had fun, and never gave up.

Jonathan Owens [89:12]: "To be an advocate for mental health, foster care, ADHD, and just someone that gave it her all and enjoyed her career."

Simone expresses her admiration for Jonathan's resilience and their shared commitment to supporting each other.

Simone Biles [89:55]: "You are so much more than gymnastics, but you are kickass, badass as a gymnast, obviously the greatest of all time."

Notable Quotes:

• Jonathan Owens [07:35]: "Their support means the world to me. They've never missed a competition..."
• Jonathan Owens [47:28]: "The twisties are like your mind and body disconnecting..."
• Jonathan Owens [72:07]: "Keep up with my therapy, even on the hard days."
• Simone Biles [89:55]: "You are so much more than gymnastics..."

Conclusion

This episode provides an intimate look into the personal and professional life of Jonathan Owens, revealing the often unseen struggles behind the spotlight. Through his honesty, Jonathan sheds light on the importance of mental health, the challenges of elite sports, and the strength found in supportive relationships. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the pressures faced by athletes and the resilience required to overcome them.