Changing from one foster to another, Simone had a tough childhood. Stability came into the life of Biles’ siblings when their maternal grandparents adopted them. When Simone was young, she wanted to pursue higher education like any regular kid, but then she was given a “deadline” to choose her priorities.

Simone Biles taking tough calls

For Simone, hurdles were not just on the mat but also in real life. With the new school year just around the corner, Simone had to take a call. Had she chosen to go for regular schooling, her parents had to prepare to enroll her. Knowing that “time is ticking by,” Simone’s mom announced, “We have to make a plan.”

Simone’s parents want her to focus on her gymnastics career. Speaking on the same, Simone said, “I didn’t see the situation the same way my parents did.” One can say Simone was being unreasonable to the Biles couple. They knew Texas’s schooling system would not allow Simone to take off from class.

Read More: “I Really Felt Numb”: Simone Biles’ Mother Didn’t Know How to Express Feelings After She Achieved a Groundbreaking Achievement in Her Career

Even though Simone had a firm conviction in herself, her parents knew that attending regular school would mean Simone “No longer be pursuing” her gymnastics career. For Simone, choosing “High school with my friends or homeschool at the gym?” was the dilemma. As she battled with her life decisions, she eventually stepped into the infamous, as her family would call it, the ‘Bratty Period.’ 

Simone’s choices carved her future.

Life is not a linear journey. It has its share of ups and downs. To be a part of the team was always Simone’s dream, but then she refused to perform the Amanar. For young Simone, braving the coach’s call and opting out must have been tough, but she stood by her decision.

Simone stuck to her feelings despite what the head coach stated. She held her ground straight. Simone speaks her heart out and stands by her decision. That day at the competition, she knew she was not fully prepared.

Watch This Story: Unearthed videos shows Simone Biles’ adorable moments with mom and dad.

Like an injured lioness, she did retreat, but like a warrior, she pounced back. Creating history, Simone won gold in the all-around, vault, team, and floor, and bronze on the beam in her Olympics debut at Rio.