A dominant force in the gymnastics world, people worldwide root for Simone Biles when she takes the stage. Facing hardships since birth, Biles’ life was never easy. With seven Olympic medals, she is but the GOAT of gymnastics. Even at 25 years of age, with incredible feats, the 4′ 8″ tall gymnast stands way taller than her contemporaries and seniors.

When Simone takes the stage, the stadium cheers for her, but nothing beats the cheering voice of momma Biles. But is being Simone’s mother easy for Nellie? 

Simone gets on her mother’s nerve

Simone was just 16 when she won two World Championship Medals in 2013. She became an overnight star, sensation, and role model for the world, but to her parents, she was still just a regular “teenager.” Undeniably, Nellie is a proud mother, but teenagers can be whimsical.

Being parents to teens can be tiring, and it was no different for Nellie. Speaking to Reuters about Simone, she said, “The worst part of being Simone’s mom is that at times she is a very stubborn 19-year-old teenager that I could just kill at times,”

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Hearing how stubborn she can get sometimes, Simone could not help but join in for laughter. Perfecting the role of a mother from a grandmother, Nellie has been there for Simone in her difficulties. Owning to age, the young athlete was probably unreasonable at times. But that did not keep Mrs. Biles from losing the connection with her daughter.

Always there for Simone Biles

Simone and her siblings had tough years transitioning from one foster care to another, not until her paternal grandfather, Ronald, adopted her and her sister. For the Biles couple to step into the shoes of a parent for their grandkids was never easy.

There were a lot of barriers between them. As Nellie says, “Me taking my barriers down and the children taking their barriers down, and before you know it, there is unconditional love.” However, in difficult times, Senior Biles stood beside their children.

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Speaking of the time when they decided to adopt, Nellie says, “Making a decision to adopt Simone and her sister … it was the best decision we made.“