One of Simone Biles’ former coaches has unveiled surprising insights about the gymnastics legend, challenging perceptions of her relentless drive. Biles, celebrated as the most decorated American gymnast in history with 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals, has long been synonymous with perfection. From her gravity-defying skills to her mental resilience during high-stakes competitions, she’s redefined excellence in the sport.
Yet, behind her glittering achievements lies a lesser-known narrative of struggle, frustration, and human vulnerability—a story now brought to light by someone who witnessed her journey firsthand.
Aimee Boorman’s candid confession
The coach in question? Aimee Boorman, who mentored Biles from age seven until just before her historic four-gold triumph at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In a rare interview, Boorman peeled back the curtain on Biles’ early career, revealing a complex athlete far from the infallible icon the world sees.
“I can’t say she was a tireless worker. When frustration hit, she’d shut down or even joke about quitting gymnastics to ‘go run track.’”
Boorman’s revelations highlight the paradox of Biles’ brilliance. Despite her unparalleled talent, the gymnast faced intense mental battles, particularly with fear and self-doubt. One persistent hurdle was a mental block on the balance beam—a skill that tormented her during training. Boorman recalls tiptoeing around Simone Biles’ moods, careful not to amplify pressure.
“If she felt she’d disappointed me, it could spiral. My job was to keep her calm, not add stress.”
Simone Biles’ unconventional focus
Contrary to the hyper-focused athletes who visualize routines in silence, Biles thrived in looseness. Boorman revealed that traditional pre-competition rituals—like solitary mental rehearsals—backfired.
“For Simone, overthinking was the enemy. She needed to joke around, hype up teammates, and stay relaxed. Only then could she flip the switch and say, ‘Let’s play!’”
This approach masked deeper struggles. Boorman described Biles as “incredibly dedicated but not immune to defeatism.” As a teenager, she’d occasionally shut down mid-practice, declaring,
“I’m done,” only to return later determined to conquer the skill. “Some days ended with ‘Goodbye,’ others with ‘I want to finish this,’” Boorman shared. “But we always moved forward.”
"It was very frustrating for her and she gave up easily. I can say she was incredibly dedicated. I can't say she was a tireless worker." She added
Pressure, rest, and the road to Rio
By 19, Simone Biles had claimed three consecutive World titles, but success came at a cost. The weight of expectation frayed her confidence, leading to erratic performances. Boorman’s strategy? Prioritize rest over relentless drilling. “A day off could make her stronger,” she insisted, a philosophy that paid off as Biles dominated the 2016 Games.
Yet Boorman’s role extended beyond technique. She shielded Biles from the toxic notion that Olympics were “more important than her life,” a mindset that later influenced Biles’ decision to withdraw from Tokyo 2020 for mental health. This holistic coaching—balancing rigor with empathy—helped shape Biles’ legacy as much as her athletic prowess.
Redefining Greatness: Imperfection in perfection
Boorman’s disclosures humanize a figure often placed on a superhuman pedestal. They remind us that even legends grapple with fragility, that medals don’t erase doubt, and that “giving up” momentarily isn’t failure—it’s part of the grind. For Simone Biles, acknowledging these struggles hasn’t dimmed her legacy; it’s deepened our understanding of the courage behind her greatness.
As she continues to inspire, Biles’ journey underscores a truth: true resilience isn’t about never faltering. It’s about rising, again and again, even when the world expects you to fly.