“Started Making Sacrifices”: Simone Biles Recalls Family’s Untold Contribution to Her Gymnastics Success

Since their bygone foster care days, Adria Biles has been Simone Biles‘ pillar of strength. Even to this date, she looks up to her older sibling “in every way”. But the two people behind them have made mountains move to raise their kids. Nellie Biles, the ideal support system for the sisters, once sold her business to set up a gym to keep Aimee Boorman as the coach. With that came a list of criteria filled with complexities, which the former nursing home owner struggled to navigate, but never gave up on.

At age 6, a field trip to a gymnasium ignited the fire of gymnastics in the 7x Olympic medalist’s heart. Though her sister couldn’t continue after age 17 because of unnecessary comparisons and peer pressure, the older sibling kept the legacy alive. But nothing without a supportive family who burned the midnight lamp along with her.

Simone Biles expresses gratitude for the kindred spirits in her life

In the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Biles sat for a one-on-one interview with Alexandra Cooper. Sharing some unknown stories of her family, the 27-year-old didn’t skip mentioning her family’s sacrifices behind her illustrious career. “… dinner time started to change or they would have to leave stuff in the oven or on the stove and they were like, okay, she’s really doing this.” – she added, reminiscently. Moving on, she added, “She likes it, she enjoys it. As long as she’s having a good time, we’re gonna let her continue”. 

Despite not feeling pressured by their parents, the younger sibling, Adria Biles, had to leave her holy sport in the wake of hypothetical duels with her sister. But since childhood, both of them learned to be the best of the lot from their parents. Someone who has 37 medals across  Worlds and the Olympics is surely a representative of “competitiveness and drive”. But whom did she inherit it from?

Biles gives a sneak peek inside her childhood driven by discipline

“I had to pinpoint like my parents were very hard workers. Me and my sister were pretty much always on top of our schoolwork and we were just kind of self-driven”. Hailing from a family of hard-working parents worked its magic on the sisters, who always knew what they wanted. She conceded her statement with the claim that “it’s kind of something that was a little bit taught in that nature too”.

Throughout her winning years, Biles always received the ultimate support of her parents, who were ready to pull her out as soon as she wanted to quit. At age 27, Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast the world has ever come across in history. Taking her finesse forward, she’s hopefully entering the Paris gates with her head held high.