Simone Biles
Spectacular Gymnast and Advocate for Women
“I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.”
Simon Biles
Simone Arianne Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. Sadly, she faced adversity from an early age. With a drug addicted mother, she and her sister were forced into foster care when she was only three. Thankfully, her grandparents Ron and Nellie Biles came to the rescue, ultimately adopting Simone and her sister Adria, and providing a solid foundation for the girls. Introduced to gymnastics at age six, coaches soon noticed Simone Bile’s bravery and physical strength. Her ascension from tragic, humble beginnings to the highest awards in her sport demonstrate how family, resilience and courage can help one persevere. She overcame much on her road to success, from surviviing living with her drug addict mother, life in foster care, overcoming sexual abuse from her team’s doctor, to being a Black athlete in a predominantly white sport, to passing on an Olympics competition to protect her mental health. Simone Biles is a shining example of courage, perseverance and transparency.
By the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Simone Biles had already made history in her sport. The first woman U.S. gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Games, she also won an extraordinary number of world titles, including multiple all-around world championships. Acknowledging her outstanding achievements in doing gymnastics of unprecedented difficulty, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist has five skills officially named after her in the gymnastics Code of Point. This is a huge honor, reserved for athletes who change the sport itself: two skills on vault, two on floor exercise, and one on balance beam. A true technical pioneer, Ms. Biles believes that excellence must be matched with integrity. As she has said, “We have to protect our mind and our body, rather than just go out there and do what the world wants us to do.”
Richard Blumenthal with the abuse survivors as they testified.
She also became a courageous advocate for women in her sport and across the world by speaking out about the sexual abuse scandal in USA Gymnastics. An intrepid Simone Biles joined her teammates in condemning systemic failures that enabled Larry Nassar to sexually assault women gymnasts, insisting before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee that the governing bodies “failed to do their jobs.” Wearing a teal leotard she designed herself at the 2018 U.S. National Championships as a tribute to survivors, she sent a poignant message that demonstrated her strength and advocacy.
Simone Biles has a marriage of a genuine partnership with Jonathan Owens, a pro football player with the Chicago Bears. Meeting online in 2020, their relationship is built on mutual respect and encouragement of each other’s careers and life balance.
Her husband completely supported her when Ms. Biles addressed the issue of mental health. She did not compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, saying “I have to put my pride aside. I have to do what’s right for me and focus on my mental health.” Her self-advocacy demonstrated how vulnerability can be a strength. She brought global attention to the mental health of athletes, inspiring countless youth to value themselves and their own internal monitors of health. If achievement means sacrificing your mental health, it is not achievement at all.
A hometown parade for Simone Biles after the Olympics win.
Simone Biles has also been able to use her platform to impact girls and women. She often focuses on resilience and self-confidence, saying, “It doesn’t matter what you look like. You can strive for greatness, and you can be great,” pushing back against archaic standards of women’s beauty. Through the Gold Over America Tour, she has celebrated athleticism and artistry while inspiring young athletes across the U.S. She emphasizes that achievement and success are about the journey, reminding fans “don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself.”
A strong advocate for women, she fully lives her values. Whether speaking on International Women’s Day about breaking down barriers, encouraging girls to believe in themselves, or modeling courage and vulnerability, Simone Biles lives her life unapologetically. She advocates for inclusivity and respect in sports, urging that “fairness and empathy must both be part of how we build participation for everyone. “
President Joe Biden honored Simone Biles with a Medal of Freedom. Reflecting on her life, Simone Biles once said “I was built this way for a reason, so I’m going to use it.” And use it she has, with courage, leadership, tenacity and uncommon advocacy. She is a woman who broke barriers in her sport, and redefined greatness while lifting others. Her life reflects both extraordinary talent and unwavering moral commitment.
Simone Biles is an advocate for:
• the rights of girls and women
• inclusivity and equity
• safety for women athletes
• gymnastics and fitness
• self-care and mental health
Lessons from Simone Biles’ Life:
• Sharing your vulnerability is a sign of strength. Withdrawing from the 2021 Olympic because of the “twisties” (a dangerous loss of spatial awareness), Simone Biles changed the dialogue around toughness in sports. She made a bold choice: she chose her own mental health and longevity over the demands of competition. For high achievers, stepping back and practicing self-care is a huge step and example for women everywhere.
• Make the most of who you are. Simone Biles did not let adversity stop her. A Black woman in a white dominated sport, she survived foster care, sexual abuse and challenges to her mental health. But Simone Biles did not let those experiences prevent her from thriving and becoming a world champion.
• Decide what success means to you. In media, Simone Biles refuses to define success as just winning medals. She consistently reframes victory as effort, growth, and self-determination. Her career reminds us that we all have to define success on our own terms and not let others dictate it.
Action Steps You Can Take:
- Examine you life and determine whether your career is taking a toll on your mental health. You may want to cut back on your hours or responsibilities so you can take better care of yourself.
- Is there misconduct in your workplace by leaders? If so, consider going to HR and filing a complaint.
- If you are interested in mentoring other women or girls, reach out to various organizations and share your expertise and life experience. You could make a difference.
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