In mid-May, Simone Biles stepped onto a very different kind of stage—this time, not in a leotard, but in a cap and gown. At Washington University in St. Louis, she was awarded an honorary doctorate. But even for the most decorated gymnast of all time, this moment brought a different kind of nerves. “If only I could vault onto the stage,” she joked. Still, she walked with grace and confidence to accept the honor—then delivered a powerful 12-minute speech that redefined what it truly means to be great.

For Simone, greatness wasn’t about the 11 Olympic medals or 30 World Championship titles she’s won. It wasn’t about the headlines or history books. Instead, she told the graduates, “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.” And if anyone knows how to become the “greatest you,” it’s Simone Biles.

Just days later, on June 2, Simone appeared in Hollywood for Netflix’s FYSEE event to promote her raw and revealing docuseries, Simone Biles Rising. Surrounded by young gymnasts, she opened up about her path—not just to the podium, but through self-doubt, setbacks, and strength. “Always dream big,” she said, “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.” That courage wasn’t just talk.

Four years ago, at the Tokyo Olympics, Simone faced one of the toughest moments of her life. Under immense pressure, she experienced the “twisties”—a mental block that makes gymnasts lose spatial awareness mid-air. She withdrew from most of her events, not because she wasn’t strong enough, but because she was strong enough to say, “I need help.”

It was a defining moment—not just in her career, but in global sports culture. She shattered the myth that champions can’t be vulnerable. And in doing so, she paved the way for others to speak out, ask for help, and choose mental health over medals.

After taking nearly two years off, Simone returned to competition in 2023. Not just returned—dominated. She won gold at the World Championships, writing on Instagram: “Doing it for the little girl who fell in love with the sport!!!!!” That same little girl would soon go on to make even more history.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Simone Biles became the oldest American woman to compete in Olympic gymnastics in decades. But age didn’t slow her down—it only sharpened her. She reclaimed the all-around title, becoming the first gymnast in history to win it twice. And yet, her biggest legacy may not lie in medals, but in meaning. Simone Biles is more than an athlete—she’s a symbol. A symbol of resilience, self-belief, and rewriting the definition of greatness which would motivate an entire community. 

Simone Biles: The role model for multiple reasons 

In 2016, Simone Biles took the world by storm at the Rio Summer Olympics. Alongside teammates Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, and Aly Raisman, she helped power Team USA to a dominant gold-medal finish in the team event. But Simone didn’t stop there—she qualified for four out of five individual finals and walked away with four Olympic gold medals, setting a record for the most golds won by a female gymnast at a single Games.

Biles and Douglas made history together, becoming the only American women to ever win both the team gold and individual all-around gold at the same Olympics. For Simone, Gabby wasn’t just a teammate—she was a trailblazer. Watching Douglas, the first African American woman to win the Olympic all-around title, changed everything for her.

“Growing up, I didn’t see very many Black gymnasts,” Simone once said. “So whenever I did, I felt really inspired to go out there and want to be as good as them. I remember watching Gabby Douglas win the 2012 Olympics, and I was like, If she can do it, I can do it.”

Representation mattered—and still does. For Simone, and for so many young athletes of color, seeing someone who looked like her at the top opened up a world of possibilities. “I think it’s nice to see so many people at the top that are people of color because it gives you inspiration, motivation. But also in the gym, I think representation matters,” she said. “Whenever you’re younger and you see somebody that looks just like you, you’re like, ‘Wow, they’re doing it. Then I can do it, too.’”’

Now, Simone Biles isn’t just a champion. She’s the role model the herself she once needed. Her success has become a beacon, showing the next generation that greatness has no color—and that dreams are for everyone bold enough to chase them.