Simone Biles has revealed what she keeps in her ’emergency’ anxiety bag when traveling, explaining that it comes with her ‘just in case’.
The 29-year-old gymnast joined the “What’s in my bag” trend and used the moment to speak candidly about her fear of flying. In a video posted to Instagram in July 2026, with her husband, Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens, standing in the background, Biles showed followers what she packs.
In the video, Biles explained why one item is especially important during air travel. “I also have my emergency anxiety meds, which, there’s a story behind that… they’re just in case I get nervous on flights or before flights.”
She also said her bag holds essentials including her passport, a “content phone,” chargers, perfume, and other everyday items. Among the additional items she unpacked were ear plugs, a foldable phone stand that is “great” on flights, a digital camera, a paper fan, headphones, a tube of Aquaphor, chopsticks, red sunglasses, her Miu Miu wallet, hair ties, a pen, lipgloss and an SD card adaptor.
Although Biles did not specify which anxiety medication she carries, Medical News Today reports that these treatments are commonly prescribed to ease panic, stress, and anxious thoughts.
The moment resonated with many viewers. One commenter wrote, “What stood out to me was the fact that you didn’t hide your anxiety meds. This will help so many,” while others praised her transparency about her mental health.
Her experience is also a relatable one for many travelers. A long-running CBS News/YouGov poll found that only 41 percent of Americans said they were ‘not at all afraid’ of flying.
Options doctors may prescribe for anxiety can include daily antidepressants such as SSRIs, fast-acting sedatives, and alternatives like buspirone or beta-blockers.
According to the outlet, these medications are intended to reduce overwhelming fear, constant worry, and the physical effects of stress linked to the body’s heightened ‘fight-or-flight’ response. They work by helping regulate brain chemicals including serotonin, norepinephrine, and GABA, making everyday stress easier to handle.
Biles has been transparent about her mental health struggles in the past. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, she shared that her anxiety was “so bad” she was “shaking” when she first arrived at the Olympic Village cafeteria. “I have not done much around the Olympic Village, and it’s because the first day we got here, and I got to the cafeteria and a lot of people were asking me for photos, like nonstop, and whenever I sat down to eat my anxiety was so bad I was shaking,” she said at the time. She also revealed that summer that she has regular therapy sessions.
The post also comes months after Biles disclosed that she had been hospitalized following a serious medical emergency. In early June 2026, Biles revealed on Instagram that she had experienced a life-threatening health scare.
“I’m not one to normally share things like this because I value privacy in today’s age,” Biles shared with her loyal fans, “But almost dying wasn’t on my bingo card earlier this week.”
She later provided additional details about her experience. “A little over two weeks ago, I experienced a serious medical emergency that could have ended very differently,” she wrote. “This trip has been part of allowing myself to heal and appreciate being here. I hope you understand that life-changing experiences can shift your perspective and that you’re able to extend a little more grace to others moving forward.”
In late July 2026, Biles underwent an additional medical procedure. She shared a hospital selfie with her husband, noting that Owens accompanied her to the procedure despite it falling on his birthday. “His birthday but he takes me to get my procedure,” Biles wrote alongside the photo of the couple in the hospital, with Owens turning 32 that day and Biles wearing medical scrubs and a surgical cap.
Biles did not reveal what procedure she underwent or whether it was related to her June health emergency. However, she appeared to be in good spirits, gradually returning to public life. Most recently, she and Owens turned heads on the red carpet in New York City for the 2026 ESPY Awards on July 15, 2026.
This is not the first time the Olympic star has spoken about a health setback. She has previously discussed how much the Paris Olympics affected her physically. “I went back to the village, took the elevator, and my body literally collapsed,” she told L’Equipe. “I was sick for 10 days.
“The other day, we were sprinting in the garden with friends,” she added. “I had aches and pains for three days.”
Biles also lives with a condition known as ‘Twisties’, which can cause a gymnast to lose spatial awareness while in the air. She has been open about her struggles with anxiety while competing in top competitions, and after withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics due to the twisties, went on to become an advocate for young athletes’ mental well-being.