Simone Biles is no stranger to success. We’ve seen her soar, twist, and land with the kind of precision that makes history books rewrite themselves. Gold medals? She’s got them. World titles? Plenty. GOAT status? Undeniably. But it’s not just the medals and wins that define her, it’s the moments in between. When she stepped away from the Olympic stage to prioritize her mental health, she showed the world that strength isn’t just measured in flips and landings. Recently, as well, Biles stood tall on a very different kind of platform. No leotards. No chalked-up hands. This time, it was a cap and gown. The stage?  Washington University in St. Louis.

The most decorated gymnast of all time wasn’t celebrating another athletic win — she was marking an academic milestone that surprised and delighted her fans. For years, fans wondered what could’ve been if Biles had taken the NCAA stage. After all, she had committed to UCLA once upon a time, before forfeiting her NCAA eligibility. Can you imagine the electric buzz of a college meet with Biles flipping through the air? But life had other plans. Choices had to be made. Still, Simone Biles’ impact on society has led to her being conferred with an academic honor.

Biles withstood a rainy day to address the graduates at WashU, giving a 12-minute commencement speech. The ceremony on May 12 saw Biles being awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters degree. She shared the news with her fans on TikTok.

The iconic gymnast was in full graduation regalia, rocking a green gown with red and black trim, a classic black cap with a gold tassel, and holding up a shiny new diploma. The document, from what you could make out, looked official and was styled like one from Washington University in St. Louis. But the real eye-catcher? The title on it: “Honorary Doctorate.” And in true Simone Biles fashion, she kept the caption short and sweet: “Call me Dr. Biles.”

She also posted a photo from her big day on Instagram, she cheekily wrote, “It’s Dr. Biles to you 🫶🏾,” followed by a heartfelt message: “But in all seriousness, thank you @washu for allowing me to do the commencement speech! Congrats to all the graduates 🎓 Truly inspiring! Good luck with all your future endeavors!!” While this marked a landmark moment in Biles’s career, what took the headlines was her stirring commencement speech.

“You might think I’m used to the spotlight, but I would probably feel more comfortable if they had allowed me to vault onto the stage or do a little floor routine. But really, today is your day. While I may be considered an elite athlete, I know that you are elite students,” she began.

She added, “People often refer to me as the GOAT. Not the animal, but the greatest of all time. I’m not going to lie, every once in a while, it does give me chills thinking about what I have accomplished in gymnastics. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret — being the GOAT was never the goal. All I ever wanted to be was the greatest Simone that I could be.

You don’t have to be the greatest engineer, the greatest lawyer, the greatest entrepreneur, or the greatest social worker. You just need to be the greatest you that you can be, the greatest you of all time. The world doesn’t need you to be perfect. It needs you to be bold, it needs you to care, and to keep going even when things don’t go as planned. So go out there and write your own story — one that only you can tell.” 

Beyond the mat, the 11-time Olympic medalist has used her platform to champion causes that matter deeply to her. She’s been an outspoken advocate for mental health, using her own experiences to destigmatize seeking help and prioritizing well-being, especially in high-pressure environments like elite sports.

In addition to her advocacy, Biles has supported charitable organizations like Make-A-Wish Foundation, helping grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. Moreover, just one week after the Kentucky Derby, Biles made a major contribution to a Louisville charity. The hats worn by Simone Biles over the weekend were custom-made in Louisville by The Hat Girls. Now, those stylish pieces will be auctioned off to support Kosair for Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children in the Louisville area.

From pushing mental health conversations into the spotlight to inspiring athletes everywhere, this honorary doctorate is another well-deserved recognition. Simone might have missed the NCAA stage, but she keeps proving that her legacy goes way beyond gymnastics. But the question now comes, why did she choose to turn professional instead of NCAA?

Why Simone Biles opted out of the NCAA

Simone Biles’ gymnastics journey began at the age of six during a daycare field trip to a gym. Her natural athleticism quickly became apparent, and by the age of 14, she was competing at the elite level. In 2014, she verbally committed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), planning to join their gymnastics team after the 2016 Summer Olympics. However, in July 2015, Biles made the decision to turn professional, forfeiting her NCAA eligibility to pursue a career in elite gymnastics. She chose this path because she was doing so well internationally and becoming a multiple World Champion, and she knew she wouldn’t have many more chances to compete in the Olympics.

Reflecting on her decision, Biles shared, “It was a very long and hard decision. My dad kept telling me, ‘You can always go to college, but you can’t always go pro.” That made sense to me.“ Additionally, she noted, “If you have an opportunity to set yourself up [financially] in life, why not take it? So I was like, ‘Let’s get this going.“

We all know that at that time, college athletes weren’t permitted to make money from their athletic success or sponsorship. So,  Simone Biles skipped college to compete at the world stage and win Olympic medals. Now, it’s clear that choosing the Olympic path also came from her need for freedom and a dependable future financially.

Leaping to go pro let Simone concentrate entirely on Olympic training. She teamed up with Octagon Sports Agency and began partnerships with famous brands, including Nike and GK Elite Sportswear.

Being financially supported meant she could train daily and attend international meets, making her stand out in the 2016 Rio Olympics with four gold and one bronze medal. Going professional helped her rise faster in gymnastics and made her someone who inspires athletes everywhere.