After one of the greatest Olympic comebacks, Simone Biles is on to her next adventure. And this time, she is not flipping through the air for medals. Biles has hit the road for the Gold Over America Tour (GOAT). The tour, dreamed up by Simone herself after her first world championship win in 2013, is all about enjoying the thrill, glitz, and glory of the sport. With 30 cities on the list, the tour features big names, including Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey. Amidst the lineup, one name stands out! And that is none other than Brody Malone.

Brody Malone is coming off the high of a decorated Team USA Bronze at the Paris Games. This isn’t just any other tour for Brody. For fans used to seeing him laser-focused during competitions, Malone is finally breaking the mold and bringing out a never-seen-before side. The Malone persona on the GOAT stage isn’t the same man who rarely cracks a smile while competing. His G.O.A.T. tour alter ego is a stark contrast.

“In competitions, I’m super serious,” Malone explained. “I don’t really talk that much, barely even smile, to be honest. But this is just fun, and I get to jump around, dance, and hype the crowd up.” That’s right, the GOAT persona is far from the stoic competitor on the mat. The tour is also the perfect setting for Brody because it’s not about nailing the perfect routine or chasing Olympic glory. Instead, it’s about fun, connection, and giving back to the fans who’ve supported him through trials. It is no secret that Simone Biles herself is known for the way she balances fun with her drive.

So, it comes as no surprise that Biles’ tour would be both high-energy and joyful. As Simone herself says, “It’s really about sharing that love and passion for the sport with the audience.” The celebration is not just limited to the sport but extends to personal victories, too. The tour is also about “Doing a celebration tour after the Olympics because we put so much into what we do and we’ve trained for so many years, it’s time for us to have a little bit of fun.” And fun it is for both Biles and Malone. However, for Brody, this tour is not just about letting loose. It is a much-needed step away from the pressure.

A much-needed workation for Malone

For Brody Malone, the GOAT is a ‘work-ation’ if you will—from the high-pressure world of elite gymnastics. And after the year he’s had, it couldn’t have come at a better time. Brody, in 2023, faced an accident in the DTB Cup in Germany, which almost halted his career. While dismounting from the horizontal bar, his hands slipped. He tried to salvage the routine and injured his right leg. The diagnosis? A torn meniscus, a fractured tibial plateau, and multiple ligament tears. But Malone isn’t one to let injuries stop him.

After three surgeries and months of rehabilitation, Malone came back stronger than ever and assisted his team in winning the bronze medal in Paris. But Paris wasn’t easy for Malone despite the win. After a tough start in the men’s all-around competition, where two high bar falls took him off the podium, things looked bleak. In true champion style, he made a comeback when it mattered the most: the team event. The best part? Just six months earlier, he could barely walk! Talk about the tables turning!

Reflecting on his injuries, he went on to say, “This is probably going to be the first time that I’ve had actual downtime from gymnastics in almost my whole career.” There’s, however, no bitterness, just gratitude. After the work it took to come back from his injury, this tour is finally a breath of fresh air. Instead of chasing medals, this time Brody is chasing fun. And the world is here for it.