One decision and Simone Biles could have possibly charted an entirely different trajectory in gymnastics! Yes, you read that right. At a certain juncture, the Spring native was torn between continuing her collegiate path or catering to her professional gymnastic wants. In hindsight, it might now seem that everything fell into place for the 3x Olympian. But, her educational journey certainly differed from the usual.
Are we saying that Biles made tough calls to be the G.O.A.T. today? Well, she certainly did. And it started right from the days of her early education, going up until college. But, when multiple opportunities knocked at her door, she did not falter from choosing the right one. Even though it meant missing out on something, to gain another.
Dropping out from UCLA, Simone Biles opted for an online college
Picture this: 2014, Simone Biles signs a letter of intent to attend the University of California Los Angeles, November onwards. But with the 2016 Rio Olympics in view, she lands on the horns of a dilemma. Whether to tread the path of collegiate gymnastics or straightaway aim for the moon, a full-time professional status? But Biles decided it’s either go big or go home for her, thereby turning pro in 2015 itself, relinquishing her NCAA eligibility, and bidding farewell to UCLA. She said, “While I am grateful for the opportunity to compete collegiately, I feel that the chance to make my dream come true is right in front of me.” And years later, in a social media collab, it flashed right before her eyes.
However, Simone Biles was also deeply inspired by her family’s business background. She recalls that her mother and her brothers excelled in this domain, something that inspires her to walk in their footsteps. So, she opted for a more flexible educational route, which provided her with the leeway to juggle multiple things. Thus, enrolling at the University of the People, she pursued an online business administration college program. Did that help? Indeed, it did, as she reminisces saying, “University of the People opened up an opportunity for me that didn’t otherwise exist, accommodating the flexibility I need to fit in my college studies around my career.”
Now something that she was personally drawing so much benefit from, needed to be endorsed to the world. Thus, as UoPeople’s Global Ambassador, the 7x Olympic medalist promoted the no-tuition mode of learning to others. She cited that without distance, financial, or any other barriers, people could freely educate themselves here. Even women who often get told that they do not belong in the classroom could break free from the obstructions.
While this was a career-altering call for her, Biles had taken baby steps since her childhood, inclining more toward her priority, gymnastics. Did you know, that not just UCLA, Biles even dropped out of the traditional classroom learning setup as a middle schooler? Let’s dive right into the details.
Biles’ early education and transition to homeschooling
The Paris Olympics-bound gymnast commenced her educational journey at the Benfer Elementary School in Harris County. Like most students generally do, she balanced her academia while honing her skills on the mat. Until the stage, when she gravitated more toward her sporting endeavors and decided to allocate more training hours to refine her proficiency. Thus, in middle school, Simone Biles made an adaption to home-schooling, one that was perhaps not easy, but essential.
Many years later, in 2021, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, Biles opened up on how that experience was for her. She remarked, “In that aspect, going to public school, hanging out with friends, going to school dances. I was homeschooled. I really didn’t get to do any of that. But I also feel like at the end of the day I got to travel and represent the country so I really don’t think I’ve missed out on too much.” She certainly may have missed out on the mainstream activities done in a school, and with her peers, but the pride to have graced global stages and brought laurels to her country is more than just compensation.
Moreover, in the end, gratitude is all Simone Biles feels. What do you think of the all-time great’s aww-inspiring journey? Let us know below.
