Major Takeaways
Simone Biles revolutionized gymnastics with unmatched athleticism.
She reshaped sports culture by prioritizing mental health.
Her leadership empowered athletes worldwide.
Thaddeus Myles here, family welcome back to Urban City’s Black Agenda, where we don’t just celebrate Black history, we highlight the people redefining what greatness looks like right now. Today is Day 14, and we’re honoring a woman who flipped the entire world’s understanding of power, excellence, and courage on its head.
We’re talking about Simone Biles.
Now listen Simone didn’t just dominate gymnastics. She changed it. She took a sport built on tiny margins and turned it into her personal playground. Moves so difficult the judges had to create new scoring categories just to keep up. Gold medals stacked so high they became expectations instead of surprises.
But what makes Simone Biles legendary isn’t just what she did on the mat it’s what she did when the spotlight got heavy.
Simone grew up in foster care before being adopted by her grandparents, who gave her the stability and love she needed to thrive. From that foundation, she built something unstoppable. She trained harder. Pushed further. And rose faster than anyone expected.
By the time she hit the Olympics, Simone wasn’t competing she was dominating. Flips named after her. Records shattered. A standard of excellence so high the world had to recalibrate what “best” even meant.
And then came Tokyo.
In 2021, Simone made a decision that shook sports culture:
She stepped back.
Not because she wasn’t capable.
Not because she wasn’t prepared.
But because her mental health mattered.
For the first time, the greatest athlete in the world told the world, “I am human first.” And that simple truth triggered a revolution. Some people criticized her. Some didn’t understand. But millions especially Black women felt seen.
Because in a world that constantly demands Black women be strong at all costs, Simone Biles showed that strength also means knowing when to protect yourself.
And here’s the wild part: she came back.
Not broken.
Not timid.
Stronger.
Simone returned to competition, reclaimed her dominance, and proved that honoring your mental health doesn’t make you weak it makes you unstoppable.
She also used her platform to speak out against abuse in USA Gymnastics, calling out systems that failed young athletes. That took courage. That took integrity. That took a willingness to risk comfort for truth.
Simone Biles didn’t just win medals.
She won respect.
She forced sports organizations to evolve.
She forced fans to rethink expectations.
She forced the world to accept that greatness doesn’t come without care.
And today, in 2026, Simone stands as more than an athlete she’s a symbol. A reminder that Black women don’t have to break themselves to be celebrated.
So on Day 14 of Urban City’s Black Agenda, we honor Simone Biles the Unbreakable Spirit who redefined strength and taught the world what real courage looks like.
I’m Thaddeus Myles, and you already know keep it locked to urbancitypodcast.com and the Urban City Podcast app all month long for Urban City Podcast’s Black Agenda, powered by 4AM Roastery at 4amroastery.com.
