At the age of 26, gymnastics icon Simone Biles stands as the most decorated and revered athlete in the field. With 37 medals, 7 Olympics, and 5 elements to her name, Biles is nothing short of a legend. However, the journey to the pinnacle of her career hasn’t been all smooth sailing. There are ample amounts of travails and euphoria. The gymnast suffered an unkind childhood but found refuge in her grandparents. Today, as she stands with excellence, Biles looks for ways to give back.

From as young as a 3-year-old, Simone and her siblings found themselves in foster care. The gymnast who has often been gritty has advocated for mental health and foster children, all in the light of her experience. Today, as she continues to extend her gestures, Simone revealed in an interview one instance of struggle that drives her.

Simone Biles names the challenging moment

The CNN Heroes recently included Biles as one of their features for her popular work with Friends of the Children. Her continued dedication toward foster children got the team at CNN to ask Simone why the organization was so close to her heart. “I actually was a foster kid, so I know some of the hardships that those kids go through,” Simone started. Biles and her siblings were forced into foster care because of their mom’s substance abuse. The plight, combined with a heart-wrenching anecdote, led them to be taken in.

“I just remember us as kids being so hungry and then I just remember this cat that would get fed and not quite us. And so we were taken.” The three siblings hopped around foster care for 3 years until the sisters were adopted by their grandparents.

Though Biles has revealed that her situation wasn’t the worst, the challenges have nonetheless been a chisel for her to understand those of similar fate. The experience has thus infused sincerity in the gymnast as she continues to extend her glimmer of hope.

The gymnast stands in solidarity

Simone Biles joined hands with Friends of the Children to celebrate youth. As a person on a higher platform and someone to have walked the similar footsteps, Biles hoped to provide the right mentor for the kids in need. “I know how special having a mentor, and somebody who believes in you… I think that’s a really unique situation and it’s important, and I wish there were more Friends of the Children,” the gymnast remarked.

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Moreover, the gymnast wanted to break the stigma, let the world know that foster care ‘isn’t going to be the only title’. And today, with her position in the field, there’s none better to carry the message.

Watch this story: With Apprehension for Paris Olympics in Air, Simone Biles Takes Her Next Steps After an Unreal Comeback