The walk to the top was not the easiest one for Simone Biles. Her elite journey began at 16, the same year she made her global debut in Europe, taking home four medals. Thereon began the journey of redefining gymnastics. Leaving mats, the seven-time Olympic artistic gymnastics medallist stepped into a new role as a mental health advocate. During her 730 days off, she found peace, married her love Jonathan Owens, and prepared for a triumphant return this summer.

Simone Biles “speechless” at Antwerp show

Simone Biles displayed her artistic brilliance as a teen in the Sportpaleis facility in Antwerp which was also her international launch. Not a lot changed since 2013, Biles again left her mark in the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship, which ended last week in the same venue. Only this time, she left as the most decorated gymnast with combined Worlds and Olympics podium finishes of 37! Biles shared an emotional post on Instagram recently, which read, “world championships!!!!! whew Antwerp will always hold a special place in my heart.”

At the first appearance, she donned a pink leotard with braces visible as she smiled broadly. Since Shannon Miller in 1991, Biles was the first American gymnast to advance to the all-around and finals of all four events at 16. This year, she wore a similar pink bedazzled Leo flaunting an ear-to-ear smile. “The first time I got a skill named after me was in this arena & 10 years later I got my 5th skill named…I’m speechless. I’m honored. I’m excited and I’m blessed!” she wrote

There was so much more to thank for, Biles added, “doing it for the little girl who fell in love with the sport!!!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love & support.” Now, the Texas native competed in six Worlds (2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), reaching 33 finals and taking home medals in 30, which calculates to a 91% success rate! Officially, a G.O.A.T. as she added four gold and one silver medal to her already lavish alloy collection. Antwerp has never sent Simone back with empty hands!

Then and now, Antwerp remains a sweet spot

Biles debuted her double layout salto with a half-twist maneuver on the floor exercise at the 2013 World Gymnastics Championships. Interestingly, it has a G-difficulty grade and has been perfectly executed in a competition by a few gymnasts so far. At the same event, she won the AA and floor golds, the vault silver, and the balance beam bronze. The floor move was eventually accorded the “Biles I” distinction.

Ten years later, under Biles’s lead, the American team captured their seventh consecutive gold medal. In addition, she won two golds from the floor and balance beam events and a silver on the vault. On the opening day, Biles became the first female athlete to execute the Yurchenko double pike vault, now her fifth named move(Biles II). Later, she earned a record-breaking sixth all-around gold beating Vitaly Scherbo of Belarus’s previous mark of 33 medals from the Olympics and World Championships. Biles truly is competing in her stratosphere now, at the top of the mountain being the G.O.A.T!

Simone Biles recently penned a heartfelt post after the conclusion of the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. By competing in Antwerp, Belgium this year, the legendary gymnast completed a full circle of 10 years in her world championship career. Remembering her journey, she expressed her gratitude.

Simone Biles’ participation at the 2023 World Championships was special in many ways. Firstly, it was her first major international event after returning from her two-year mental health break. Moreover, her career’s first world championship experience happened in Antwerp in 2013. It was Biles’s iconic return to the same place where she achieved two gold medals, one silver medal, and a bronze medal.

By competing in the 2023 World Championships, Simone Biles became the first American gymnast to represent the country for the sixth time. She was unstoppable at this year’s event, winning four gold medals in the team, all-around, balance beam, and floor exercise events and also a silver medal in vault. Moreover, she made history by winning her sixth gold medal in the all-around event.

So, remembering her achievements at the world championships, the 26-year-old posted her pictures from the event and wrote on her Instagram post,

While performing in the vault in the all-around event, Biles stunned the world by displaying the Yurchenko double pike vault, a move mostly performed by male gymnasts. Impressed by her terrific performance, the world championship organizers named the skill after her as Biles II.

In her Instagram post, she mentioned getting another skill named after her,

As the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship threw accolades like confetti, Simone Biles made her mark again. After a highly anticipated comeback at the US Hydration Core Classic in August, she set her sights on the World Championships. Quite obviously, her ‘Worlds’ comeback also paid off, as she earned the all-around title with a 58.399. Subsequently, she anchored the US women’s roster to victory with an extraordinary 167.729. After leaving every other competitor behind, the seven-time Olympic medalist had an unusual confession.

Having started her athletic journey on the Antwerp ground, Biles, then 16-year-old, earned the all-around World Title. Things were different back then. For a gymnast who witnessed glory up close, having a penchant for medals and podiums was natural. However, after the GOAT faced a setback at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, her perceptions changed. Simone has transformed into a better person, besides being the owner of 37 medals.

Simone Biles’ doesn’t run behind the podium anymore

One of Simone’s fan pages named Biles and Chiles shared a post-event interview of the Olympain. In more than half-an-decade, she was the oldest woman to have competed at the World Championships. In order to celebrate her illustrious career, several fans post her inspirational journey on social media. Along similar lines, this fan captioned the post as “Simone’s interview after winning the gold on floor and beam today!!” 

Biles won four gold medals and one silver at the Antwerp 2023 World Cup

“She is a role model for many young women around the world, and now she is back,” said psychologist Robert Andrews, American gymnast Simone Biles’ primary therapist.

10 years after taking charge of Biles’ mental health, Andrews talked with the Spanish media “Relevo,” where he revealed the secrets to treating a world-class athlete.

“I worked on this with Simone from March 2013 to July 2017,” the specialist indicated during the talk.

He explained that he was free to talk about part of the treatment because the gymnast had already done it in her book and biographical film.

The therapist recalled that the hardest battle he and Biles faced was “fighting that old culture of stoicism where it seems like a gymnast is not having fun.”

Another challenge was the insecurity of someone who is considered the best gymnast of all time. “She wasn’t very sure of herself. Simone didn’t really believe in herself. That’s what we started to work on, helping her develop her confidence,” he said.

Andrews explained that to overcome these obstacles they had to “work hard to keep her empowered and so that she could continue to appear that way despite a culture that did not allow it.”

Simone gets the reward

Her psychological hard work paid off in 2013, when she won the first of three consecutive world medals in the individual all-around: Antwerp 2013, Nanning 2014, and Glasgow 2015.

“At the Rio Games, she won four Olympic golds and one bronze medal,”Andrews recalled, although he admitted there could have been five golds if not for an ill-timed slip on the balance beam.

Biles’ success also deeply impacted the specialist’s career: “I had to hire four people in my practice due to the work overload that arrived in 2016.”

One of the keys to success in treating the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic champion was helping her “take her foot off the accelerator or, in other words, not use so much energy,”Andrews explained.

He detailed that a couple of years ago, she was struggling to master a new skill for her routines, so he texted her: “Remember the concept of taking your foot off the gas.”

He highlighted the courage she displayed to pause her career in 2016 to care for her mental health despite the barrage of criticism. “I think the best example is that she retired and not only made that decision for her mental health but also her physical health.”

“What Simone did was defend herself mentally, physically, and emotionally,” said Andrews, and he also highlighted that the athlete’s example“gave many athletes permission to ask for help.”

The world championships held last week helped several teams and individuals qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Games lineup is filling the last of spots with its next stop being the Pan American Games. For many American athletes who wish to compete in the Olympics, the Pan American Games will be vital. Particularly, the senior women’s gymnastics roster was divided into two groups: Worlds and Pan-American. After a two-year absence, Simone Biles made a historic comeback, leading the U.S. team to win their seventh straight title.

Meanwhile, Jordan Chiles is back to bring her prowess on the Pan-American mats after the 2022 Worlds-qualified win. However, just days ahead of the major event, Chiles joined a billion-dollar sponsor to reveal some unfiltered thoughts.

Simone Biles’ gymnastics bestie spills some beans

“You have the potential to do anything you put your mind to,” Nike captioned their Instagram post tagging Jordan Chiles, their sponsored athlete. The reel captured the unadulterated feelings of the all-around headed to Pan American in a fun video. In the billion-dollar brand’s feature, she revealed, “I wanted to quit.” Chiles admitted to feeling discontented earlier in 2017, following her exclusion from the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team headed to the world championships.

In the “showing your true self video,” Chiles questioned the girls, “What triggers you to feel down on yourself when people are coming at you?”  A girl replied: “There’s a lot of pressure in society to fit in with the norm.”

The gymnast told the girls, “There’s a lot of people who surrounded me, a support system that was always there; you know what you have the potential to do anything!” Nike’s caption further complemented their star athlete saying, “Jordan’s mindset and strong support system helped her overcome many obstacles and social pressures.”

“This is me, this is who I am and I am gonna embrace it; you got this!” she said in the end. Above all, do you know who supported Chiles during the hard times in 2017?

Jordan Chiles backed by fellow athlete

Chiles acknowledged in an interview that she almost gave up gymnastics after failing to make the 2017 world championships. “I thought the sport had lost interest in me. As a result, I turned around,” she said. Later, at the 2018 championships, Jordan placed eleventh which furthered her self-doubt. After some thought, she said, ” I already felt to end my career. However, Simone Biles and I chatted afterwards.” Biles proposed they train together at the World Champions Centre at the end of 2018, which meant a shift to Texas for Chiles.

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens have reconnected after spending six weeks apart. Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, and Owens, the NFL safety for the Green Bay Packers, are no strangers to the challenges of a long-distance relationship. Their commitments to their respective careers have made this distance a part and parcel of their lives. Following a back-and-forth period of long-distance separation, Biles told Owens, “See you in six weeks, babe,” last month.

Jonathan Owens gives Simone Biles a nature’s best gift

In a recent Instagram story, Simone Biles shared her special gift, posting a picture from her backyard with her pool in the background. She shared a picture of a huge bouquet featuring Burgundy chrysanthemums, light orange garden roses, purple calla lilies, lavender peonies, and more, creating a stunning fall vibe.

Biles captioned the floral gift, writing, “Jonathan bought me the prettiest flowers” with a white heart. The anticipation of fans to see the two back had been building the second Biles was back to America from the World Championships. Throughout her stay in Antwerp, Owens showered his wife with all his support and love, cheering her on from countries away.

However, this gift to Biles is not the first time Owens has surprised his wife with such bouquets. In fact, it’s a tradition he faithfully upholds, knowing her love for flowers.

The floral fantasy

Biles has often shared her fondness for flowers, frequently posting pictures of florals. Even her wedding flowers were chosen to align with the theme she had in mind. Recently, her sister preserved her wedding bouquet with the help of the brand “Pressed Florals,” creating a resin-framed sentiment that will stay with the couple for life. Owens also follows a tradition of gifting Simone bouquets.

After her win at the Core Hydration Classic, Owens left Biles a grand bouquet of flowers at home, a delightful surprise for her. Following her victory at the 2023 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, he surprised her with bouquets adorned with red and pink heart balloons. Most recently, on his birthday, Owens managed to make Biles’ day special by gifting her a bouquet of pink roses. Clearly, Biles prefers nature’s best gift.

As the couple reunites after nearly six weeks apart, fans couldn’t be more thrilled for them and look forward to all the wholesome updates that will follow from the couple. For now, they hope their love continues to bloom like the precious bouquets

Simone Biles touched down in Antwerp on 30th September, ready to reclaim the world gymnastics stage. She made a stunning entrance to the Sportpaleis on the very first day of podium training at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. After making a comeback with back-to-back victories at the national competition in her homeland, Biles led the charge during the qualifiers.

In an epic battle, she spearheaded Team USA to secure their seventh consecutive World Gymnastics Championship title. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Biles also claimed her sixth World Championship All-Around title.

On the last day of the competition, October 8th, she added two more gold medals to her collection, excelling in the floor exercise and balance beam finals. Even after facing a heartbreaking fall, she secured a silver medal at the vault finals. Biles proved to be a formidable force, but among the contenders, one athlete kept her on her toes. And most recently, Biles opened up, sharing her unfiltered thoughts about her formidable contender and legend to be.

Simone Biles addresses her major competition

After lifting another victory in Antwerp, Biles opened up about her competitor and the rising legend in an interview. When asked about having Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade as competition, Biles responded, “No definitely, even on floor I was “Ooh I’m a little nervous” or on beam and stuff like that. They’re amazing athletes so you can only wish that everybody puts the best foot forward that day. So yeah, I love having her.”

Rebeca Andrade, along with her coach Francisco Porath, has been cautious in the years following her third ACL tear. Despite multiple ACL tears in 2015, 2017, and 2019, she persevered in the sport. In 2022, she only performed on-the-floor exercise twice before the World Championships, and even then, she chose routines with lower difficulty and won the All-Around title and the Vault finals. At the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Rebeca Andrade kept Biles on her toes.

Biles passes the torch to Rebeca Andrade

The 24-year-old Brazilian gymnast emerged as Biles’ most formidable competitor. In the vault finals, Andrade broke Biles’ winning streak for 2023 by taking the gold with a score of 14.75, while Biles, despite a heartbreaking fall, secured the silver with a score of 14.549. Throughout the competition, Andrade consistently finished just behind Simone Biles, winning silver in the team all-around finals, individual all-around finals, floor exercise finals, and bronze on the balance beam.

Biles took home the gold in all these events. On the last day, while standing on the podium with Rebeca Andrade and her teammate Flavia Saraiva, after winning the floor routine, Biles made a symbolic gesture. She removed her crown and placed it on Rebeca’s head, signifying that she was passing the torch to the Brazilian as the “upcoming queen.

Earlier this year, Simone Biles earned the crown of the oldest woman to have won the 8th US National Title. Not long after making the National Championships history, she decided to improve her already outstanding resume a little more. Like thoughts, like action. After a decade, she stepped into Belgium, displayed her maneuvers and clinched her 6th World Title. Besides, she also anchored the team to a gold finish with a 167.729. Leaving the entire stadium in awe, Simone was “really proud of the performances she put out there.” 

Owing to her ‘Twisties’, her gymnastic career took an uncalled-for turn, about to shatter her dreams. But the GOAT justified her well-earned title by standing back up stronger. For the 26-year-old, though she has seen a lot in her illustrious career, some useful take aways matter the most.

Simone Biles laid out her life as an inspiration

Starting from the media to the fans, it’s not unlikely that cameras surround Simone at all times. Amidst lauds and clicks, Heath Thorpe, the Australian artistic gymnast, never fails to catch Simone for a quick questionnaire. According to Gymnastics Now’s post, “Following a very successful return to the world stage, @heaththorpe had a one-on-one chat with the GOAT Simone Biles. She discussed her overall feelings.” After the highly anticipated comeback at the worlds, the 37 Olympic medalist traced back to the difficult times.