Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, has long demonstrated a willingness to explore paths beyond the gymnastics floor. Over the past months, she has ventured into pursuits that diverge sharply from her Olympic routines, delighting fans with glimpses of her life off the beam. After hinting at ice skating as a casual experiment, Biles has now embraced horseback riding with notable enthusiasm, sharing her experiences in a ‘Get Ready With Me’ (GRWM) video on TikTok. Yet behind the lighthearted clips and playful anecdotes, the gymnast’s recent updates have sparked fresh concern among her followers, revealing a physical change that could linger indefinitely.  

Her TikTok video, filmed in the early hours before a riding lesson, revealed both her meticulous attention to detail and her candid nature. Biles carefully considered her outfit for the morning, reviewing multiple options before selecting “all black little cute vest” to balance warmth and style. She spoke with characteristic levity about the day’s activity, adding, “Today we’re going horseback riding. We’re just doing light makeup today because it’s nothing crazy,” while also reflecting on the routine she has been establishing with regular lessons. Clips from late August showed her leading ponies, walking horses in full gear, and even riding along the ocean with her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, demonstrating a commitment that extends beyond casual participation.

Amid these glimpses into her evolving lifestyle, a query from a fan on TikTok shifted the conversation toward a more serious subject. User @WrecklessLove asked, “what ever happened with the dent in your arm? that’s a helluva cliffhanger to leave us on 😂,” prompting Biles to disclose a medical detail she had not previously shared. In her response, she explained, “oh yessssss muscle atrophy, soooo random because the doctor asked if I hit it on anything & like WEEEEEEKS ago I did but it just now took trauma… odd but everything is alright! dent will stay probs forever thoo.” Muscle atrophy involves the wasting or thinning of muscle tissue, leading to diminished mass and strength, a condition that can arise from injury, lack of activity, or natural aging. This revelation has renewed speculation about her capacity to return to competitive gymnastics, particularly in light of the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, for which Biles has remained indecisive.

The context of this disclosure gains additional weight considering Biles’ forays into new sports. Reports from Inside Gymnastics suggest she is experimenting with ice skating, an activity that shares kinesthetic demands with gymnastics but presents entirely new physical challenges. While she has not publicly committed to pursuing ice skating competitively, the mere prospect fuels curiosity about how her athletic skill set might translate to the winter arena. Her willingness to explore horseback riding and ice skating illustrates an enduring dedication to movement and performance, even outside the structured confines of gymnastics.

For fans observing Biles’ trajectory, these updates offer both reassurance and caution. Such a disclosure about muscle atrophy underscores that even the most elite athletes face physical limitations that can persist indefinitely. However, just a year ago, at the most important moment of her life, Biles battled a painful calf injury. And she did not let that define her redemption tour.

Simone Biles pushes through sudden calf injury to claim multiple medals in Paris

Simone Biles confronted an unforeseen challenge during the 2024 Paris Olympics when a sudden calf injury threatened to derail her highly anticipated return to competition. During the qualifying rounds, Biles approached her coach with evident concern, stating, “my calf or something just pulled all the way,” revealing the severity of the strain she had sustained. Despite the immediate pain and uncertainty, she received prompt medical attention, including taping and bandaging, before continuing to compete. The injury, which might have unnerved any athlete, did little to diminish Biles’ focus or determination to perform at the highest level.

Throughout the competition, Biles displayed a remarkable capacity to navigate physical discomfort while maintaining her technical precision. Her former teammate Aly Raisman reflected on the endurance required, recounting that she asked Biles after the events, “How did you do it in so much pain?” Biles’ response, “I couldn’t have people tell me I was a quitter again,” encapsulated the psychological resilience that allowed her to persevere. Even under the strain of her injury, she delivered performances that contributed decisively to Team USA’s gold medal victory and secured additional individual medals, including triumphs in the all-around and vault events, as well as a silver on floor.

The episode illuminated both the fragility and fortitude inherent in elite athleticism. Biles acknowledged the challenges posed by her age and accumulated experience, stating, “since I’m older, my body is like a ticking time bomb.” Yet, she navigated the competition with measured preparation and stubborn resolve. Her ability to overcome the unexpected strain of her calf injury demonstrated that even in moments of potential setback, her mastery of gymnastics remained uncompromised.