Simone Biles drew on her years of sporting experience to share a special message to the graduating class of Washington University in St. Louis on Monday (12 May). After receiving an honorary doctorate from the institution, the 11-time Olympic artistic gymnastics medallist took to the podium to deliver a commencement address peppered with humour and advice. “I have to admit, I am a little nervous!” Biles confessed at the beginning. “You might think I’m used to the spotlight, but I would probably feel more comfortable if they had allowed me to vault onto the stage and do a little floor routine.”
What happens when the world’s most decorated gymnast swaps her leotard for a graduation gown and takes the stage to speak to a room full of hopeful graduates? You get a speech that doesn’t just echo in the auditorium—it resonates across the internet. Simone Biles, a symbol of resilience and excellence, recently delivered a powerful message to graduating students, urging them to “be the greatest you that you can be.” Let’s dive into why her words matter more now than ever—and how they can shape your mindset moving forward.
The speech, which lasted a little over 12 minutes, included mention of the superstar gymnast’s childhood dream of studying medicine to become a paediatrician. “That dream bumped up against others, and ultimately, I chose a different path,” she went on. “But I do think my path and yours have a lot in common. Although mine probably included a few more sequins and leotards.”
Biles also reflected on the themes of sacrifice, dedication, and pressure before offering some words of wisdom to the class of 2025 on the topic of greatness. Owing to her impressive record on the world and Olympic stage, Biles has often been called a ‘GOAT’, that is to say, the ‘greatest of all time’. She is often seen wearing a diamond necklace in the shape of the animal.
“People often refer to me as the GOAT. Not the animal, but the greatest of all time. I’m not going to lie, every once in a while, it does give me chills thinking about what I have accomplished in gymnastics. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret — being the GOAT was never the goal. All I ever wanted to be was the greatest Simone that I could be,” Biles said. “You don’t have to be the greatest engineer, the greatest lawyer, the greatest entrepreneur, or the greatest social worker. You just need to be the greatest you that you can be, the greatest you of all time.”
Leaning into that message, the gymnast then gave some practical tips on how each person might unlock the greatest version of themselves. They included: showing up for yourself, staying creative, taking care of yourself, and embracing the opportunity to be a leader. Simone Biles didn’t just give a graduation speech—she gave a wake-up call. A reminder that you don’t need to win Olympic gold to be valuable. You just need to show up, stay true to yourself, and keep growing. The world doesn’t need a copy of someone else—it needs you, at your best. So, take her words with you. Let them fuel you. And every time self-doubt creeps in, just whisper back: “Be the greatest me I can be.”
