“I wanted to quit like 500,000 times,” said Simone Biles in the trailer for her Netflix documentary “Simone Biles Rising.” This line hits home considering her lifelong journey of ups and downs in the sport of gymnastics since she was just 6 years old.

The 2021 Tokyo Olympics became a breaking point for the phenom both mentally and physically and her very public withdrawal, receiving the backlash it did, only added to her tumult. That could have very well been the last time Simone stepped onto the gymnastics floor. So, what made her come back to the sport two years after Tokyo? Her coach divulges.

Simone Biles’ coach shares how her life beyond gymnastics strengthened her comeback

According to Olympics.com, Simone Biles’ coach, Cecile Landi, opened up about Simone’s comeback journey in gymnastics after her withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics. Speaking to reporters after podium training ahead of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials, Cecile Landi said, “All the work she’s been doing outside the gym, and just being 27, married, she has other stuff going on, and I think it helps her keep a good balance.” Simone Biles herself has often shared that she learned there’s more to life than just gymnastics, which was a goal she mentioned to reporters when she withdrew from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Cecile added that this perspective has helped Simone stay grounded and has paid off in her progress since returning to gymnastics. Speaking of Simone’s demeanor in training, Landi noted, “She’s calm. She laughs. She’s back to her sometimes goofy self that we had missed a few times. So I think this is where it shows.” As we reflect on these words, let’s see how Simone Biles herself has shared how the people around her directly contributed to her healing.

The support system and life behind the most decorated gymnast in history

The past three years have been an extraordinary journey for Simone Biles, where she focused on healing and her mental health, found love, married her husband, Jonathan Owens, and is building a life beyond gymnastics. Apart from her rigorous training, Simone Biles embraces life to the fullest, often seen surrounded by her family, friends, and beloved dogs, Lilo, Rambo, and Zeus. She’s been open about seeking weekly therapy and excelling as a businesswoman with numerous brand deals and sponsorships.

She opened up about this journey herself in the trailer for “Simone Biles Rising,” saying, “I wanted to quit like 500,000 times and I would have if it weren’t for my people. I knew it would be a long journey, but to me, it wasn’t done. I’m going for another Olympic run, I never thought I’d be at this phase still doing it and I feel very grateful; I get to write my own ending.”

As she prepares to reclaim her power from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics setback and headline the 2024 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials in Minneapolis, where she’s seen as the strongest contender, her comeback journey shows the incredible power of love and having a strong support system. What are your thoughts on these insights from Cecile Landi and Simone Biles’ journey since Tokyo? Share in the comments below!