Simone Biles' parents did these things to help her succeed, she says—and keep her 'humble and grounded'

Simone Biles credits her parents with much of her success.

While speaking at WOBI’s World Business Forum in New York City on Nov. 5, the 11-time Olympic gymnastics medalist said her parents did several things when she was growing up, and even to this day, that helped her succeed while staying grounded.

“They never really cared or ever talked about medal placement, podium placement, none of that,” she said. “They would always just kiss me goodbye and say, ‘Good luck, have fun, be safe.’ And I think that’s why I have been so successful.”

Biles also recalled her parents insisting on taking her and her siblings on vacation despite pressure from coaches to practice the entire summer. Having that time away was important so she “didn’t burn out,” she said.

Her parents knew “how much it meant to the kids and how beneficial that was to get us out of that element and to go on vacations and one, to spend time with family but two, to have those memories with the family,” she said.