Courage to Soar

1. Embrace Faith and Family as Your Foundation

Your love keeps me grounded yet gives me the courage to soar toward my dreams.

Spiritual grounding. Simone Biles consistently emphasizes the role of faith in her life, turning to prayer and her relationship with God for guidance and strength. This spiritual foundation provides her with a sense of purpose and resilience, helping her navigate the pressures and challenges of elite gymnastics. Her family's consistent church attendance and reliance on prayer provided a bedrock of support.

Family as anchor. Biles's adoptive parents, Ron and Nellie Biles, provided unwavering love and support, creating a stable and nurturing environment. Their commitment to her and her sister Adria, including navigating the complexities of adoption and providing for their needs, allowed Simone to focus on her gymnastics career. The stability they provided was a stark contrast to her early childhood.

Intergenerational support. Biles's grandmothers, both Everista Cayetano and her paternal grandmother, played significant roles in shaping her values and providing emotional support. Their presence and influence instilled in her a sense of connection to her heritage and a deep appreciation for family bonds. This extended family network provided a safety net and a source of strength.

2. Turn Challenges into Fuel for Determination

You will not always be strong, but you can always be brave.

Adversity as a catalyst. Biles faced numerous obstacles, including a difficult early childhood, time in foster care, and the challenges of elite gymnastics. Rather than succumbing to these hardships, she used them as motivation to push herself further and prove her capabilities. These early experiences instilled a resilience that would serve her well.

Embrace the struggle. Biles acknowledges the dark days and moments of despair she experienced throughout her journey. She emphasizes the importance of emerging from these trials stronger and more determined to make them count. This willingness to confront and overcome adversity is a key element of her success.

Specific examples of challenges:

• Early childhood instability
• Foster care experience
• Initial setbacks in elite gymnastics competitions

These challenges shaped her character and fueled her drive to succeed.

3. Find Joy and Passion in Your Pursuit

Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It’s our goal in life to find it and keep it lit.

Intrinsic motivation. Biles's love for gymnastics is evident throughout her story. She describes the exhilaration of flying through the air, the satisfaction of mastering new skills, and the joy of competing. This intrinsic motivation fuels her dedication and helps her overcome obstacles.

Fun as a priority. Biles emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process, even amidst the rigorous training and intense competition. She actively seeks out ways to make gymnastics fun, whether it's through playful antics with her teammates or finding humor in challenging situations. This focus on enjoyment helps her maintain a positive attitude and avoid burnout.

Examples of finding joy:

• Playing with her sister Adria
• Roughhousing with her brothers
• Finding humor in difficult situations

This ability to find joy in the process is a key element of her success.

4. Trust Your Instincts and Set Your Own Limits

Simone, you’re the one who has to go out there and do the vault. So whatever you decide, I’ll support you.

Self-awareness and boundaries. Biles demonstrates a strong sense of self-awareness, recognizing her own limits and trusting her instincts. She recounts instances where she refused to perform skills she didn't feel ready for, prioritizing her safety and well-being over external pressures. This self-awareness is crucial for long-term success.

Empowerment through choice. Biles's parents and coaches consistently empowered her to make her own decisions, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility for her career. This autonomy allowed her to develop a strong sense of self-reliance and confidence.

Examples of setting limits:

• Refusing to perform the Amanar vault at Nationals
• Prioritizing her health and well-being over external expectations

This ability to set her own limits is a key element of her success.

5. Build a Strong Support System

We make each other stronger. That ain’t ever gonna change.

Coach-athlete bond. Biles's relationship with her coach, Aimee Boorman, is a cornerstone of her success. Aimee served as a mentor, confidante, and unwavering source of support, guiding her through the challenges of elite gymnastics and helping her navigate personal struggles. This strong bond provided stability and trust.

Team camaraderie. Biles emphasizes the importance of her teammates, describing the friendships and bonds that developed through shared experiences. These relationships provided emotional support, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. The team environment fostered a sense of shared purpose and mutual respect.

Examples of support:

• Lexie Priessman offering advice before a competition
• Kyla Ross providing guidance and mentorship
• Her family's unwavering support and encouragement

This strong support system provided a safety net and a source of strength.

6. Stay Grounded Amidst Success

She understood that whatever happened, as long as she did her best out there, she would get up the next morning, still smiling.

Humility and perspective. Despite achieving remarkable success, Biles remains grounded and humble. She attributes her accomplishments to hard work, dedication, and the support of others, rather than innate talent or exceptional abilities. This humility helps her maintain a balanced perspective and avoid arrogance.

Resilience in the face of pressure. Biles demonstrates an ability to shake off setbacks and maintain a positive attitude, even amidst intense pressure and scrutiny. She understands that mistakes are inevitable and focuses on learning from them and moving forward. This resilience is crucial for navigating the challenges of elite competition.

Examples of staying grounded:

• Remaining humble despite numerous accolades
• Cheering wholeheartedly for her teammates
• Maintaining a sense of humor in challenging situations

This ability to stay grounded is a key element of her success.

7. Be True to Yourself

You can do anything you decide to do.

Authenticity and self-expression. Biles embraces her unique personality and refuses to conform to external expectations. She expresses herself authentically, both on and off the mat, and encourages others to do the same. This authenticity resonates with fans and inspires them to embrace their own individuality.

Embrace your quirks. Biles's story is filled with examples of her quirky personality, from her love of zebra prints to her obsession with turtles. She embraces these quirks and allows them to shine through, making her relatable and endearing to others. This authenticity is a key element of her appeal.

Examples of being true to herself:

• Embracing her muscular physique
• Expressing her personality through her routines
• Remaining true to her values and beliefs

This ability to be true to herself is a key element of her success.

Last updated: April 12, 2025