“I’m not giving up on my bike,” to the laughter of his fellow judges, praising the innovations that make riding a bike so much fun. Simon was admitted to the hospital after the second accident because he had a broken arm and a concussion. He had to wear a wrist brace for several months even though this second collision wasn’t as bad as the first, which left him with metal rods and screws in his back and a broken back. Following these events,

Simon made major lifestyle changes, primarily to be more available to his nine-year-old son, Eric. Another important source of motivation for him during his recuperation was his fiancée, Lauren Silverman. Simon talked candidly about his difficulties after suffering a back injury in an April interview with The Sun last year. He recalled how hard it was to deal with the restrictions the injury placed on his ability to spend time with Eric, saying, “I was in such a dark place that, for the first time, I considered going to therapy.” The relationship between Simon and Lauren, who welcomed Eric on February 14, 2014, was crucial to Simon’s recuperation. Simon joked that because of the metal rods supporting his back following surgery, Eric had given him a new nickname that compared him to the superhero Iron Man. Simon recalled with pride, “Eric said to me, ‘Dad, you look like Iron Man,’ when I was reunited with my family.” “Yes, I am really like Iron Man,” I said with a smile. Simon has been able to keep a sense of humor about his injuries in spite of the setbacks. In June 2021, when Terry Crews asked Simon if he could ever envision himself doing risky stunts like those of a Shaolin Kung Fu act, he even made a joke about them on an AGT episode. “After my back injury, just walking around the garden with Eric felt like a huge achievement,” Simon laughed in response. Even back then, I occasionally questioned whether this was such a good idea. Simon’s journey demonstrates his fortitude and introspection. Despite the difficulties brought on by his cycling mishaps, he never loses his distinctive sense of humor and still finds joy in life and riding.