Thankful to Simone Biles’ Parents, Gymnast’s Ex-Coach Reveals How She Saved Her From Extensive Training Methods

Imagine being under someone’s mentorship since you were 7. And that goes on for over a decade. Well, that’s Simone Biles and Aimee Boorman for you. Biles was just a promising elementary school athlete when Boorman first saw her walk into a Houston gym. And today, she’s an 11-time Olympic medalist who goes by the moniker of the G.O.A.T. But had it not been for Boorman’s strong-headed approach regarding Biles’ training methods, we kid you not, today the story could have been entirely different…

Aimee Boorman has seen a lot of Simone Biles’ success up close. After all, she shaped her from a toddler into a gymnast who topped podiums like it was a cakewalk for her. 14 medals at the three world championships between 2013 and 2015. And let’s not forget Biles’ Rio Olympic triumph in 2016. All of this came under Boorman’s training. But had it not been for her stern decisions regarding how to train Biles, this would have looked difficult. Boorman’s biggest decision, perhaps?

Doing away with the potentially damaging methods implied by one of Simone’s other coaches. Yes, Aimee Boorman was very cautious and sensitive about how she trained Simone Biles. In the wake of her recently published memoir, “The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles,” she appeared on the GymCastic podcast aired on YouTube on April 24. And that’s when she voiced a startling confession: “I didn’t realize how often I stood up to her (that coach) until I read the book, because it was just a part of my life. It was a part of my everyday of what I was going to accept from her and what I was not going to accept, and what I would, um, communicate to Simone and what I would not communicate.”

Yes, Boorman had her own way of filtering what advice and tips reached Simone Biles and what needed to be cut out. That’s because “there were things that she (that coach) would say to me that I would not communicate to Simone. Where other coaches might have gone in and said, “Well, she (that coach) thinks that you’ve put on weight, so you’re going to have to go on a diet.” You know, like, I would never say that to Simone because I would just tell her (that coach) that was okay. I would just nod and say, “Okay.”” Well, that’s Boorman for you. She would not stand up and confront that coach directly, but she did have her own way of segregating the talk and ensuring only the best bits reached Simone Biles.

Because things that weren’t going to help Simone in her gymnastics, why bother her mind space with them? Even Simone Biles had previously said that at the monthly camps under the other coach, no one would even talk or laugh, which was not how Simone wanted to do gymnastics. “They used to try to put us in a box, and they were like, ‘If you weren’t like this, you’re not going to be successful,’” Biles said.

And not many know, but here’s an interesting fact: Boorman’s style has always been different than that of other coaches. She wanted Simone Biles and all her gymnasts to be happy above everything else. A huge reason behind this was that, back in her childhood, Boorman had a coach who ignored her and made her feel awful, which diminished her love of gymnastics for a while. So when she started coaching, she pledged never to make anyone feel the same. Boorman’s ideology comes across best through this line she once said: “If I’m proud of myself for anything, it’s staying true to that ideal of making sure that sports are healthy and athletes are happy before anything.”

No wonder Simone Biles’ parents trusted Boorman to be her mentor for such a long time. They were together longer than most coach-athlete duos survive. Knowing this also makes Boorman grateful for that opportunity and for those memories!

Aimee Boorman cannot thank Simone Biles’ parents enough

In that very podcast, Boorman also said something incredibly sweet to Simone Biles’ parents, Ron and Nellie Biles. She said, “Yeah, first off, I mean I will forever be grateful to Ron and Nelly Biles for trusting me.” She had been clear with them since day 1, saying, “Let me see how far I can take her, and I will let you know if I cannot take her any further.” And they did trust her!

Another factor why Simone Biles’ parents really counted on Aimee Boorman was because, whenever the two had to part, Boorman would help them find the right coach for Biles because she knew her too well. She even knew what made her stay and show her skills in the gym. “And it was also very clear that I would help them find the right coach… I knew what made her tick in the gym. And so would it have been hard for me to send her off…of course, I’d put a lot of time and effort into coaching her. But the fact of the matter is, it’s what would’ve been best for her if I couldn’t keep up with her.”

The two did split up when Boorman accepted a job at Evo Athletics in Florida, and Biles wasn’t really sure of her gymnastics future because back then, the prevailing culture was that athletes retired after the Olympics. But the record books are testament to the fact that this duo was a hit on the mats. What do you think of Boorman’s coaching?

Excited Simone Biles Gushes Over Met Gala Glam As Jonathan Owens Set to Pause Football Practice To Celebrate Their Big Relationship Moment

“Glad I got to see you for a short bit before jetting off to the airport,” Simone Biles last caught a glimpse of Jonathan Owens before she hopped into her flight to Madrid. And while she was there being crowned the Laureus Sportswoman of the Year, Jonathan Owens was busy with his football vows. But hey, distance doesn’t look good on these lovebirds. And while fans have been missing those SB-JO moments that they can swoon over, it’s finally time to brace yourselves! Because Simone just dropped a little hint: an eventful outing is on the cards sooner than you think!

Remember Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens’ honeymoon in South Africa? A new destination every day, new memories, and new pictures of the sports town’s favorite couple for the fans to adore. But it’s been a long gap since then, and it’s about time for another one of their couple appearances, right? Well, it looks like they heard you, because it’s all going to turn true at the upcoming MET gala!

April 25, speaking to ExtraTV, Simone Biles made a massive revelation. She will be present at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 5 for the MET Gala 2025. And her excitement? It’s blowing through the roof! “Oh my gosh, I am really excited, obviously no training goes into the Met, so I’m happy about that. It’s really just getting in fitting, seeing what you’re going to wear, and then going from there.” 

Apart from alerting the fashion lovers about her new look that will be dropping at the MET, “It will be tailored, it will be a custom dress, I’m going back and forth between two right now, um both custom looks for me, so I’m excited,” Simone Biles also voiced a good news for the Simone-Jonathan fans. “It is date night it’ll be the day before our wedding, second wedding anniversary as well, so it’ll be really exciting to celebrate at the Met with him,” she said. Well, yes, Simone Biles and JO are showing up in NYC together for the event, so paps and fans, keep your cameras ready. And as she mentioned, the MET will also be date night as it is timed just before the couple celebrate a major milestone in their relationship, aka their 2nd wedding anniversary. Can you believe it’s about to be 2 years to their intimate and traditional wedding in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico? We can’t either.

But, Jonathan Owens is likely to be swamped in his NFL practice then. So he might have to pause it for a bit to step out to NYC with his wife. But hey, that isn’t really an impossible mission for him. We have seen him pull off a similar move while Simone Biles was competing in Paris, when he requested special off time to fly to Paris amid the Chicago Bears’ training to cheer for her. Also, it’s their anniversary a day after, so just like last year, when Biles treated fans to snapshots from their romantic date night, this time, the MET will set the stage for another memorable celebration.

But here’s the thing, if anyone knows how to balance the sport and their relationship together, it’s these too. Another example off late proved it.

Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens enjoy the best of both worlds

While Simone was in Madrid, posing on the red carpets of the Laureus Sports Awards in her elegant black corset gown, made by a Saudi designer, Jonathan Owens was busy with his football duties. Yes, Simone Biles revealed to ExtraTV that, “He’s hosting one of the Chicago Bears draft party cuz it’s draft night.” So yes, while Biles was away being recognized for her achievements, Owens was catching up on what’s going on the football turf with his boys.

But like Biles just spilled the details of where his husband is and what plans they have for a date night, was she always this vocal? Well, even before her Netflix documentary was out, she revealed on April 24 that they considered aspects of JO’s privacy, “Our relationship is a really big part of my life, and everyone’s gotten to see me grow up, but they haven’t gotten to see me and my husband interact.” And that, “Obviously, we respected Jonathan’s privacy as well and had to figure out how much he wanted to be highlighted in the series. But ultimately, we decided that we do want to share this.” In all, JO and her life having changed after marriage, in terms of juggling both gymnastics and her life, is a huge detail that she cannot slide past. What do you think of this?

At the 2025 Time100 Gala, Simone Biles spoke to Access Hollywood about being named on the The 100 Most Influential People of 2025 list and how special it was to have former Olympic teammate Aly Raisman pay tribute to her in the publication. She also talked two big events she’s gearing up to attend with her husband Jonathan Owens next month: the Kentucky Derby and the Met Gala. Simone and Jonathan will also be celebrating their second wedding anniversary in May, and she shared how her highlight of marriage thus far has been getting to spend more time together. “Being together, because our first year of marriage, we were barely together,” she said of their busy lives as an Olympic gymnast and an NFL safety, respectively. “We were kind of doing long distance, so now it’s just really spending that time with one another.”

A viewership of 8.2 million! This incredible feat now rests with Simone Biles’ documentary series, Simone Biles Rising. The gymnast who had to leave the sports she loved back in 2020, in the greatest stage of all, the Olympics, returned in 2024 to the very same sport on the very same stage and reclaimed her position as the goat. The documentary explored her comeback as a gymnast and ventured into her personal life as well. One thing that got a lot of attention was the series talking about her married life. What does she have to say about this?

Netflix, in its official interview with the gymnast, asked her how sharing details about her relationship with her husband felt, especially when they have been in the public eye for so long. The Olympian responded, “Our relationship is a really big part of my life, and everyone’s gotten to see me grow up, but they haven’t gotten to see me and my husband interact.” The 28-year-old has seen fame since she won the all-around title in the 2013 world championship at just sixteen.

Biles further pointed out that she wanted the world to know that she can get married and still be the best version of herself when it came to gymnastics. She got married on 22 April 2023, and after the 2024 Paris Olympics, she returned with 3 golds and one silver. “Our relationship is a really big part of my life, and everyone’s gotten to see me grow up, but they haven’t gotten to see me and my husband interact. I thought it really important to highlight that, yes, I can be married and still be at the top of my game. Getting married and going back to the Olympics was a huge part of my life that I didn’t want to gloss over.” She said. But there was a challenge.

While sharing the details of their marriage, Biles also had to consider Owen’s privacy and how much he wanted to be a part of the docuseries. Ultimately, the couple worked out and decided that it was important for him to be a part of it. She further said in the interview, “Obviously, we respected Jonathan’s privacy as well and had to figure out how much he wanted to be highlighted in the series. But ultimately, we decided that we do want to share this. It’s a big part of our lives, and I think it’s really important for kids to see that there are things to look forward to past gymnastics and sports.”

The couple has been really supportive of each other through their almost two years of marriage. Once Simone had hit back at trolls who came after Owens for wearing her Olympic medal. Owens, on the other hand, has time to time, supported his wife as well.

When the gymnast won the 2024 SI Sportsperson of the Year Award, the NFL safety took to his social media to pen down a heartfelt note for his wife. Now, Simone’s influence has turned Owens into a fan of gymnastics, too!

Simone Biles’s husband is a gymnastics fan.

“He knows so much about gymnastics,” Biles said in an interview while pointing out that she is still learning a thing or two about football. Owens has been a regular supporter of Biles at her games. The man negotiated time away from his NFL duties for the Chicago Bears because he wanted to put the Paris Olympics as a priority. And no, he did not do this to play for the US team, but because he wanted to support his wife.

As the gymnast entered the finals of the grandest stage of all, Owens flew to Paris to see her. “Coming for you baby,” Owens posted on his Instagram story with a photo of him onboard an airplane. Biles reposted it, adding four emojis: “🤞🏾🤞🏾🥹🥹”. Other than Owens, Biles’ parents, Ron and Nellie, were also in attendance. Moreover, he has also been seen doing something during Biles’ games that has drawn a lot of attention.

When the NFL safety arrived to watch his wife in the finals of the gymnastics finals of the Olympics, the man donned a Simone Biles T-shirt, as well as a pen and notepad. Yes, a pen and notepad!!! This left a lot of fans wondering what the man was writing down.

Maybe the moments he loved in the match? Maybe a loving note for his wife? What do you think?

Simone Biles is off to a dominant start to 2025 – continuing her impressive run frmo 2024 when she added three more gold medals at the Paris Olympics, brining her total to seven.

While she won’t win an Olympic gold medal this year, she’s off to a pretty good start to 2025. Earlier this year she traveled with husband Jonathan Owens to South Africa for their honeymoon where they spent nearly two weeks on safari. Just a few weeks later, Biles joined Tom Brady’s Religion of Sports, a production company, as one of the board of directors.

A month later, she landed a coveted spot in Time magazine’s “The Most Influential People of 2025” list. Her longtime teammate and three-time Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman wrote her profile.

Here’s what Raisman wrote about the seven-time gold medalist:

Simone Biles is a gem—one of a kind, forged by relentless hard work and polished by her own determination. She shines with a brilliance that sets her apart.

Simone dominates gymnastics, performing skills that push beyond what was once thought possible. Her routines are so difficult, my teammates and I used to joke that we were all competing for second place. Even as the GOAT, she continues to push herself—defying the very notion of limits. With five signature skills, she has etched her name into the sport.

Simone has faced—and withstood—mounting expectations, pressures, and adversity, which seem to intensify each year. Through it all, she has embraced her vulnerability, while refusing to let it define or limit her. She is both deeply human and undeniably superhuman—a combination that makes her impact profound. She inspires us to believe that we, too, can persevere. That we, too, can shatter limits.

Simone has changed lives by bringing mental health and athlete safety to the forefront. She has transformed gymnastics—and even sport itself. But her greatest legacy may be ensuring a better future for those who follow.

Time‘s list was broken down into six categories: artists, icons, leaders, titans, pioneers and innovators.

Biles fell under pioneers.

The Houston-area athletes earn spots on TIME’s 2025 list of influential figures.

HOUSTON — Houston-connected athletes Simone Biles and Jalen Hurts have earned spots on TIME magazine’s prestigious 2025 TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people. The annual list, released this week, recognizes individuals who are transforming the world across various sectors, including sports, politics, business and entertainment.

“Like Beyoncé, but with an F.” That was the cheeky caption under a glowing Instagram post from April 9, 2022 — and no, it wasn’t about Queen B herself. It was Simone Biles and her best friend Kayla Simone, sitting side by side, hands up, flaunting sparkling engagement rings, and grinning from ear to ear. A double dose of love, but not what you’d think — Kayla was engaged to Ira Brandon III back in September 2021, and Simone had just said yes to Jonathan Owens in February 2022. The post?

Simone Biles’ Husband Makes Cryptic Post As NFL Star Plays Tribute to 24-Year-Old on Tragic Passing

It’s never easy to hear about the loss of someone so young, especially someone with so much promise. And this is something Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles’ husband, has resonated with deeply. Usually, Owens is known for sharing joyful moments, celebrating the highs of life alongside his wife, Simone, in the limelight. But this time, his post was filled with a sorrow so deep, it spoke volumes without saying much at all. “RIP,” Owens wrote on Instagram, paying tribute to the 24-year-old former LSU wide receiver whose life was tragically cut short.

Jonathan Owens recently reshared a post from FootballForever, featuring a picture of Kyren Lacy, the 24-year-old LSU star who tragically passed away. Lacy’s death, discovered on April 13, 2025, in Houston, Texas, is being looked into as a suspected s**cide. It’s hard to wrap your head around—it feels like Lacy had so much left to give.

He was coming off an incredible season at LSU, caught 58 passes for 866 yards, and led the team with nine touchdowns—his best season yet. He was on the verge of entering the NFL and had participated in LSU’s pro day in March, where he was ranked as one of the top receiver prospects. To lose someone so young, with so much ahead of him, is truly heartbreaking.

Owens, clearly shaken, shared a powerful message on X: “Always check on your people, man. You never know what somebody’s going through.” It hits differently when you realize that, despite how put-together someone might seem, they can be struggling in ways we don’t see. His post felt a little cryptic, too—like he was hinting at something deeper. Over the past few weeks, Lacy had been going through a lot, and while Owens didn’t call him out by name, it sure felt like he was talking about him. Owens, deeply attuned to the importance of mental health, likely understood the weight Lacy was carrying—something hidden from the public eye, but all too real for those who knew the signs.

Owens’ empathy for mental health, shaped by Simone Biles’ journey

Owens, now a safety with the Chicago Bears, and Kyren Lacy, who was a rising wide receiver out of LSU, shared more than just a love for football—they shared the grind. Both knew what it meant to chase a dream that demands everything, especially in a sport where pressure can be relentless. But Owens’ understanding of that pressure goes even deeper, thanks to his wife, Simone Biles. She’s not just the most decorated gymnast in history—she’s become the face of mental health in sports. When Simone stepped away at the Tokyo Olympics to protect her mental well-being, it shifted the conversation around athlete wellness in a big way.

During the entire experience, Owens maintained his support as he witnessed global reactions and stood by her side during that difficult period. So when he posted, “Always check on your people, man. You never know what somebody’s going through,” it came from a genuine awareness that he held deeply. The tragic part stems from the fact that Kyren Lacy was just beginning his journey.

The previous season, he became the top touchdown scorer for LSU before securing the second highest number of catches on the team with 58 receptions. Scouts took note of Lacy’s 2,360 receiving yards combined with his 26 touchdown reception totals when he spent time at Louisiana, followed by LSU during five seasons. After completing his college career on a high note, he announced his candidacy for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, where he took part in LSU’s official Pro Day evaluation. NFL professional aspirations were directly reachable for him.

In his farewell to college football, Lacy wrote, “LSU has truly made a big impact on my life on and off the field these past three years… Not too many people get to fulfill a dream like this. I am forever grateful for it.” He thanked his coaches, support staff, and family, adding, “Although we didn’t accomplish our goal of winning a national championship, I promise to take all of those life lessons with me in the next chapter of my life.” It’s clear Lacy wasn’t just focused on football—he was reflecting, growing, and preparing for the next step. That’s what makes this loss hit even harder. Owens knew the weight young athletes carry—and this time, the silence said everything.

Simone Biles Subtly Shows Off $6,500 Luxury Handbag While Hiding Her Face in New Mirror Selfie

Simone Biles has a new addition to her growing luxury handbag collection.

On Wednesday, April 9, the gymnast, 28, took to Instagram Stories to show off a small white purse, which appears to be a white Lady Dior bag in the medium size.

In a mirror selfie, Biles wears a cropped denim tube top over a striped button-down shirt. She paired the top with matching denim pants with a striped waistband peeking out. Along with a smattering of silver jewelry, the gold medalist carries the small white purse (which features quilted material and gold hardware) at her side.

The athlete opted for no caption, though she did cover her face with a large white heart emoji.

Per Dior’s website, the handbag is “crafted in latte lambskin with Cannage stitching, creating the instantly recognizable quilted texture.”

The description continues: “Pale gold-finish metal D.I.O.R. charms offer elegant appeal. Featuring a thin, removable leather shoulder strap, the medium Lady Dior bag may be carried by hand or worn crossbody.”

Earlier this month, Biles showed off another luxury handbag as she embarked on a date night with her husband Jonathan Owens. Before heading out to watch the Houston Rockets take on the Oklahoma City Thunder, the gymnast shared a mirror selfie of herself and Owens’ looks. Biles opted for an oversized white Balenciaga jean jacket with black knee-high leather boots. She accessorized with silver rings, a small necklace and a black Hermès Kelly with palladium hardware.

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She also rocked her short bob, which she recently brought back in March.

Owens, 29, who plays safety for the Chicago Bears, coordinated with his wife’s outfit by wearing a gray graphic tee, ripped light wash jeans and matching sneakers. He was also decked out in silver jewelry, including a ring, watch and necklaces, and completed the ensemble with a pair of glasses.

In January, Biles revealed that she added another one of Hermès’ iconic handbags to her collection. The athlete showed off her new light brown Birkin in an Instagram Stories video, noting that buying it required the “emotional support” of her hubby.

“Treated myself to a new lil bby while in New York,” Biles wrote. “Jonathan came for emotional support, baby I was sweaaaating.”

The famous Birkin bag was named after and inspired by the late Jane Birkin and can retail and resell for tens of thousands of dollars.

That wasn’t the first Hermès in her collection, though. After the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she became the most decorated gymnast of all time, Biles shared that her parents gifted her a Hermès bag.

“Don’t be mad at me, be mad at your parents,” she wrote on Instagram Threads at the time.