Houston turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Simone Biles. While she makes Olympic gymnastics look like a walk in the park, her early life was anything but smooth sailing. Originally from Ohio, the 27-year-old encountered difficulties as her birthmother battled substance abuse. At the tender age of three, Biles and her siblings entered the foster care system in Houston, facing adversity. However, a positive change occurred when their grandparents stepped in after three years, providing them with the support and affection they craved.

Despite facing challenges, Simone Biles found her stride in Houston, ultimately propelling her to status in gymnastics with a total of 41 medals in the Olympics and World Championships. After winning four medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Biles is now taking time to savor her achievements. She’ll be headlining The Gold Over America Tour, which stops at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on October 27.

Alongside stars like Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Fred Richard, Hezly Rivera, and Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos, Biles is soaking up the moment and reflecting on her journey. “I think it would be amazing to have athletes on this tour, but we have to get through all of this first,” Biles said. The Gold Over America Tour kicks off at the Toyota Center on October 19th. “It’ll just be a fun party, good gymnastics, good vibes, and we hope everyone enjoys the show,” Biles said, promising an evening of excitement and inspiration.

Biles is cherished wherever she goes, but Houston holds a special place in her heart. Referring to the people of Houston, Biles said, “They’ve supported me and done so much for me throughout my entire career so just to be here in the community to inspire the younger generation is just super exciting to me.” Houston has definitely provided her with the love and encouragement she craved. It’s no wonder she decided to construct her home in Texas.

Simone Biles overcame childhood struggles and stood by her friends in need

When Biles was placed in foster care at the age of three, she and her siblings encountered obstacles. Looking back on those times, she mentioned, “When my siblings and I entered foster care, it was because our biological mom was struggling with drug and alcohol abuse. I was three years old. I just remember us, as kids, being so hungry, and I remember this cat that would get fed and not us. Thankfully, we actually got to stay in one foster home, and we were all together.” Three years passed as they faced the challenges of care until their maternal grandfather, Ronald Biles, and his wife, Nellie, adopted them. It was a turning point in their lives, marking the beginning of a journey that began in Houston.

Even though Nellie and Ron Biles aren’t Simone’s biological parents, they have had a significant impact on her life by establishing the World Champions Center in Spring. This facility has emerged as a premier training location, contributing to Biles’s status as an athlete, with a tally of 41 medals. As time passes, she continues to advance. In Houston, alongside her husband Jonathan Owens, Simone is working on creating her home.

She shared a sneak peek on Instagram on August 14, revealing the cabinets and countertops in her kitchen, a room with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, the start of a luxurious walk-in shower, and a spacious closet with built-ins. Her post, accompanied by side-eye emojis, offered a look into the progress of her home. Despite her hectic schedule, Simone made sure to show support for her teammates, highlighting her commitment to both their success and her own journey.

Simone Biles shared how she has been standing by her teammate Jordan Chiles following the dispute at the 2024 Paris Games. Chiles faced a situation when she was unexpectedly disqualified from winning the bronze medal in the women’s gymnastics floor final on August 10. The controversy arose after Romanian gymnasts protested, leading to the International Olympic Committee awarding the medal to Ana Barbosu of Chiles. Speaking to PEOPLE, Biles shared, “We’ve been FaceTiming, texting, just being girls.”

She encouraged Chiles to embrace her emotions, saying, “You have to feel all these feels. Don’t let these emotions stop you. This will be the healthiest way to get all of this out.” With Biles’ support, Chiles is finding her way back. Although she took a break from social media due to mental health struggles, she recently returned and posted a photo outside the World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas, where she trains alongside Biles and her Olympic teammates. Chiles is also preparing for the Gold Over America Tour, signaling her determination to keep moving forward. Sometimes, what feels like a setback turns out to be the very thing that makes all the difference.