Simone Biles Talks Career, Netflix Docuseries And Her Advice For Girls

She is indisputably the greatest Olympian of our generation – so much so, that Simone Biles’ competitive sport of gymnastics has named several unprecedented skills after the trailblazer. Earning a total of seven Olympic gold medals, two silver and two bronze for Team USA, the journey for Biles, 28, has not come without its setbacks.

Authentically highlighted in her Netflix docuseries Simone Biles Rising, she experienced early on during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games what is commonly known within the gymnastics community as the “twisties” – a mental block that disconnects an athlete’s physical movements from their mind. After Biles chose to no longer continue in the competition, with all eyes on her as the clear favorite around the world, she was soon faced with a plethora of both praise and criticism for her actions.

In Simone Biles Rising, the decorated gymnast gets to tell her story in her own words, as she took the time to focus on her mental & physical health, set aside society pressures and better prepare herself to confidently return for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in an impressive comeback, achieving three gold medals and one silver.

This past Monday, Biles was in Hollywood, California to promote her docuseries at the Netflix FYSEE event. Following her celebrated gymnastics career thus far and since her time making Simone Biles Rising, I wondered what she has learned more about herself throughout this storytelling process.

Biles said, “I think how to be patient and things take time. I think we kind of forget that growing up because whenever you’re younger, time doesn’t seem as long, or we don’t really have a timestamp on time. And so, it’s just things take time, things come-and-go and to just relish in those moments.”

Having competed in Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, Biles actually does have a favorite Olympics. She said, “I feel like they’re all my favorites for different reasons, but I would definitely say my first one because that was the first time I ever went to the Olympics, and winning a team gold with my team – something I’ll forever cherish.”

For those who watch the four episodes of Simone Biles Rising, what does she hope that people take away from her sharing her decision-making, her determination and getting to hear her truth?

“Well, that I’m normal – I just have a very unnatural gift that I do and I love to compete. I love to do gymnastics, but at the end of the day, it shows the core of who I am – what my value is for, what I stand for, as well as just doing a side of gymnastics.”

When Simon Biles Rising director Katie Walsh was asked for her thoughts about Biles, not only as a superstar gymnast, but as a human and a business leader, she said, “Simone is one of my favorite humans, to be quite honest. Part of the reason we wanted to do this film was to show Simone, the person. Everybody knows Simone Biles, the athlete, but not everyone knows Simone, the person. She said that to me early on in one of our meetings – ‘I just sometimes want to be Simone.’ That was the thesis statement for the film and trying to show her as a well-rounded, full human being with life outside of the gym, with doubts and with insecurities – just like all of us normal humans, even though she’s a super-human. Her ability to be a leader, not just on the gymnastics floor, but as an advocate, as a businesswoman, is something that you see woven into the film and then throughout her life.”

As for the next generation of female gymnasts and young girls who have come to look up to Biles, I was curious what advice she might have for these individuals to block out “the noise” that can come from those around them and to steer their own path.

Biles said, “Always dream big, then dream bigger after that, because you never know where your journey will take you – and to just stay headstrong. That’s the most important thing. Reach out, get help – it’s the most courageous you’ll ever be. I’m here supporting you.”