From setbacks to gold: Simone Biles melts hearts with nostalgic photos from early days in gymnastics

Simone Biles has spent years being measured by medals, difficulty scores and the boundaries she has pushed in gymnastics. On National Gymnastics Day, she chose to highlight something far simpler: the little girl who was still learning how to put a routine together.

Biles shared some of her oldest gymnastics videos, showing early attempts that were far removed from the precision fans now associate with her. The clips included falls, awkward landings and visible frustration, accompanied by a message aimed at young athletes.

“Kids, don’t ever give up on your dreams, this is where I started… happy national gymnastics day,” Biles wrote. Another clip came with a more playful caption: “*salutes, *picks wedgie, *falls, *pout, *picks wedgie again, *stomps off.”

The humor gave the post much of its charm. One of the greatest gymnasts ever was reminding people that her journey started with the same imperfections familiar to almost every child learning a sport.

From beginner to global star

Biles first encountered gymnastics at age six during a daycare field trip to a gym. What began as an introduction soon became a serious pursuit.

She qualified for the Women’s Junior Olympic National Championships in 2010, moved into elite competition the following year and, by 2013, had won the world all-around title in Antwerp at just 16.

That breakthrough began one of the most remarkable runs in gymnastics history.

Biles collected world titles through 2014 and 2015 before making her Olympic debut in Rio in 2016. She left those Games with four gold medals, team, all-around, vault and floor exercise, plus bronze on balance beam.

Her medal total eventually reached 11 at the Olympics, with Paris 2024 providing another defining chapter as she won team, all-around and vault gold and silver on floor.

“I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps,” Biles famously said during her rise. “I’m the first Simone Biles.”

Message means more after difficult chapters

Biles ’ career has never been only about dominance. At the Tokyo Olympics, she withdrew from several events after experiencing the “twisties,” placing athlete mental health at the center of a global conversation.

She later returned to win bronze on balance beam before rebuilding toward another Olympic run. Her future in the sport remains open.

Biles said in 2025 that she would attend the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics whether she competed or not. By May 2026, she described the chances of another comeback as “about 50 per cent.”

“I’ve already been to three Olympic Games, and I feel fulfilled,” she said. “It’s crazy to see how people always want more and more from you. In the end, the decision will always be mine.”

That's what makes the childhood footage resonate. It shows that greatness did not begin with perfection. It began with trying, falling, getting upset and coming back again.