‘Overlooked’ Simone Biles Got the Trust of Illinois Mother, Whose 1 Decision Carved Way to 11 Olympic Medals

The bond between Simone Biles and her former coach, Aimee Boorman, the Illinois-born, is one of those rare, magical relationships that feels almost destined. Simone once summed it up perfectly, saying, “She [Aimee] knows how I feel whenever I walk through the door and what mood I’m in because we’ve known each other for so long.” From the time Simone was just six years old until her historic Rio Olympics run in 2016, the two practically grew up together inside the gym. Naturally, there were moments when their strong personalities clashed — as Simone joked, “We have similar personalities, and we’ve knocked heads, which happens when you work with someone.” But the foundation of their relationship was built on deep trust, understanding, and years of shared dreams. Yet, none of it might have happened if not for another key figure: Aimee’s mother, Veronica Banghart.

In her memoir, The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles, Aimee shares the little-known story of how Simone first entered her life — and how it all began with her mom’s keen eye. It was 2003, a rainy day when a lively six-year-old named Simone Biles visited Bannon’s Gymnastix on a daycare field trip. Aimee, busy coaching and juggling gym duties, barely noticed the tiny bundle of energy flipping and bouncing around the floor. But Veronica, who helped out with the gym’s administrative work, certainly did.

With over three decades of experience watching gymnastics, Veronica had developed an uncanny talent for spotting potential, and what she saw in Simone that day was pure magic. She immediately nudged Aimee, urging her to ‘watch that little one.’ But Aimee caught up in her responsibilities, brushed her off without a second glance.

Luckily, fate had its own plans. Simone’s parents later returned to enroll her in classes at Bannon’s Gymnastix — and that’s when Aimee finally saw what her mother had spotted from the start. Watching Simone effortlessly bounce on a four-inch mat and swing her limbs with incredible flexibility, Aimee realized this little girl was something extraordinary.

Excited, she ran to Veronica to describe what she had witnessed. Veronica just smiled knowingly and said, “That’s the kid I was telling you about!” It was a humbling moment for Aimee — and a life lesson she never forgot: “Listen to your mom!”

From there, Simone’s rise was nothing short of breathtaking. Within months, she was stunning the gym with a standing backflip on both the high and low beams — a move she pulled off without any formal instruction. At just seven years old, after a year of dazzling performances at Level 4, Simone captured the vault title at the state meet. Another year at Level 5, and she continued to leave everyone awestruck with her raw talent and fearless spirit. Ultimately, it all started with a rainy day, a keen-eyed mother, and a six-year-old girl who couldn’t stop flipping — and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Simone Biles penned history in the next few years 

Simone Biles’ journey to becoming the greatest gymnast of all time wasn’t without its bumps, and one unforgettable moment in her early career proves just how far she’s come. During a state meet early in her gymnastics journey, Simone faced a humbling setback: two zeros in the vault event. Imagine that — one of the future greatest gymnasts in history, receiving a score that was nothing short of a blank slate. But remember, this is Simone Biles we’re talking about, and the story doesn’t end there. It was precisely moments like these that helped forge the relentless determination that would lead to the unimaginable heights of her career.

Fast forward to later years, and those same vaults that once brought her disappointment became the very foundation of her legacy. Simone Biles went on to not only earn two Olympic golds in the vault event — one in 2016 and again in 2024 — but also a vault move forever named after her, Biles II. Yes, the same gymnast who had once stumbled now had a move that no other gymnast could replicate, a testament to her brilliance and ability to rise from adversity.

And the numbers speak for themselves: With a record 30 medals at the World Championships, Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in the competition’s history. Her collection of 23 World golds is unmatched, and her six World all-around titles stand as a beacon of her dominance in the sport. But perhaps the most remarkable stat of all? Her 11 Olympic medals — the most ever by any American gymnast, solidified her place as one of the greatest athletes to ever compete.

So, yes, Veronica Banghart’s keen eye for talent wasn’t wrong. Simone may have faced setbacks in her early days, but they were only the beginning of a legacy that would rewrite the history books. From those zeros in a state meet to Olympic gold and beyond, Simone’s journey proves that greatness isn’t defined by the bumps in the road, but by how you rise after them.

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