Did Simone Biles Grow Up in Struggling Surroundings? How Did She Discover Gymnastics?

With 34 Olympic and World Championship medals and a Hall of Fame career, Simone Biles is a legend. Winning her first World Championship medal in 2013, she announced her arrival on the big stage. Fast forward to 2018, she fetched four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, it was not an easy road for the talented gymnast. From going through tough struggles, her incredible career is right up there with the best athletes.

However, her path to success has not been a cakewalk. Significantly, the famous gymnast worked her way through to become a legend in the sport of gymnastics.

Simone Biles had a tough start

Although she has a net worth of $10 million, she had to earn her way through rather than being blessed with a huge amount of fortune. After her mother dropped her and her three siblings at a foster care center, things were difficult in the beginning. Soon after her maternal grandparents adopted her and her youngest sibling while the elder two sisters got adopted by her grandmother’s sister.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 17: Simone Biles of the United States performs on the beam during the Gymnastics Rio Gala on Day 12 of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games on August 17, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

During the time on her daycare field trip, she performed a back tuck on the ground; when one gymnast wanted her to try it on a balance beam. Biles accepted her challenge as she rushed onto the beam. Although her friend was joking at first, Biles took up the challenge.

“So I went and ran up on the beam. And she screamed at me. She’s like, ‘I wasn’t serious.’ But I was going to do it,” said Biles.

As they say, the rest is history.

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Being an influential leader

Although she did not perform the back tuck on the balance beam, many coaches took notice of her talents in the gym. Hence, they sent a letter to her family because of her undoubted potential and convinced her grandparents to let her perform gymnastics. From there on, she has become a legend of the sport winning several medals and creating numerous records. Her twists and leaps are right up there with the best. Thus, her success led to different opportunities as she partnered with the online University of People to create a scholarship for children in foster care.

“Once foster kids age out of the system, they often don’t have the opportunity to go to a regular university because of all the student fees. Everyone deserves an opportunity. I was given one, and I want to make sure others get one too,” said Biles.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 15: Simone Biles of the United States competes in the Balance Beam Final on day 10 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 15, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Never forget your roots. It’s a statement ushered upon many athletes by their godfathers. Simone Biles took that in her stride and continues to be an influential person in many people’s lives.

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