by Simone Biles
Coach Aimee: Thank you for molding me into the gymnast I always wanted to be and for never giving up on me. Without you, I wouldn’t have accomplished my dreams. I love you.
Janey Miller, my agent at Octagon: I can’t thank you enough for making my schedule and my life easier and, of course, for setting up the most amazing sponsors. I couldn’t have asked for a better agent.
Farley Chase, my literary agent: Thank you for all of the behind-the-scenes work you did to make this book a reality.
Michelle Buford, my cowriter: Thank you for listening to my endless number of crazy stories and for transforming them into a beautiful inspiration for both kids and adults.
Father Charlie: Thank you for being a wonderful spiritual guide. I’m grateful to have you in my life.
Miss Heather and Miss Susan: Thank you for working with me one-on-one and for helping me do the best schoolwork possible so I could still train for the number of hours I needed to. And thank you for helping me get all the correct credits I needed to graduate.
Maggie Nichols: Thanks for dealing with my craziness at every national team camp and on every single US assignment we had together. You’re the best roommate and best friend I’ve ever had.
Alec Yoder: Thanks for being there after almost every competition to hang out with my hungry, crazy, hyper self. I can’t thank you enough for being one of my best friends who I can always go to for anything, in and out of the gym.
Caitlyn Cramer: Thank you for being there in the very beginning and for sticking by my side throughout this whole journey. You are the definition of a best friend.
Rachel Moore: Thank you for being my right hand, my go-to, and my un-biological sister. There are no right words to describe our crazy friendship. Love ya!!!
Robert Andrews: Thank you for allowing me to realize that a person isn’t actually crazy just for seeing a sports psychologist! Also thank you for allowing me to push my mental willpower past the limits so I could fully believe in myself under any circumstances or pressure.
Dr. Rand: Thanks for helping to keep my body healthy and in one piece throughout this journey. I appreciate you and your whole team at Methodist Hospital and Rehab.
TEAM USA/USA Gymnastics: Thank you for allowing me to pursue my dreams and aspirations at the elite level. And thank you for giving me the opportunities of a lifetime. There’s no better team than Team USA!
Family, friends, and fans: Thank you for always believing in me during my entire journey to Rio. I love you all endlessly.
My book team: I really do appreciate the skill and hard work that everyone at Zondervan and HarperCollins put into my book. A special thanks to Zondervan’s Senior Vice President Annette Bourland, who signed me up for the project and who has been enthusiastic about my story from day one. Also thanks to Andrea Vinley Jewell and Jacque Alberta for editing the manuscript. And much appreciation goes to Londa Alderink, vice president of marketing, as well as to the art director, photo editor, marketing team, and the incredible sales force.
PHOTOS
Simone arriving in Texas, following her time in foster care, March 2000
Courtesy of the Biles family
Simone and her sister Adria playing dress-up, December 2000
Courtesy of the Biles family
Simone and her sister Adria (center) with their childhood friends Becca (left), one of Simone’s best friends since childhood and fellow “Cheetah Girl,” with big sister Camille (right), also a great friend of the Biles sisters
Courtesy of the Biles family
Simone hanging out with her dog Maggie, August 2009
Courtesy of the Biles family
Simone and Adria head off to school, August 2007
Courtesy of the Biles family
Grandma Caye in Belize during a family visit
Courtesy of the Biles family
Simone early in her career, performing a floor exercise routine at the 2011 Visa National Championship in St. Paul, Minnesota
© John Cheng
Simone in her first car—complete with zebra interior—a few days after her sixteenth birthday
Courtesy of the Biles family
Simone with her sister (front left), godfather (back left), godmother (back right), and mom (front right) after her confirmation
© esmephotos.com
Celebrating Christmas with siblings Adam (far left), Adria (second to right), and Ron II (right), 2015
Courtesy of the Biles family
Simone Biles at the 2016 Secret U.S. Classic at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, on June 4, 2016, midflight during her bar routine
© John Cheng
Simone is all smiles while performing her gold-medal-winning floor routine during the event finals at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games
Lovetsky/AP/REX/Shutterstock
Simone executing a near-perfect vault on August 7 during the qualifying round at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
© John Cheng
Simone Biles contributing a solid beam routine during the women’s gymnastics team competition at the 2016 Olympic Games on August 9, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil © John Cheng
Simone Biles with her mother, Nellie, (far left), sister Adria (second from left), national team coordinator Martha Karolyi (second from right) and father, Ron (far right) before the start of the 2016 Rio Olympics.
© John Cheng
The Final Five celebrating together after receiving their Olympic gold medals in team competition at the 2016 Rio Games. Pictured, left to right: Laurie Hernandez, Aly Raisman, Martha Karolyi, Simone Biles, Madison Kocian, and Gabby Douglas
© John Cheng
Simone shares a high-five with her coach, Aimee Boorman, after completing a routine at the 2013 World Championship in Antwerp, Belgium
© John Cheng
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