Simone Biles has had an eventful week.

With a short break from her Gold Over America Tour, Biles announced a collaboration with Barefoot wine and was recognized as the most marketable athlete of the year by SportsPro. She was also present at the Los Angeles premiere of the second half of her Netflix docuseries, “Simone Biles: Rising.” On Thursday, she contributed $50,000 at a gala supporting Friends of Children, a nonprofit that mentors children facing tough circumstances, including those in foster care, which Biles herself experienced.

“It’s deeply meaningful to me because I see my own past reflected in these kids and what they endure and overcome,” Biles stated to YSL News Sports. ” Sometimes, the odds are stacked against you, but having someone like me champion these children—knowing I’ve faced similar challenges and come out successful—truly motivates them.”

In an interview at a high-end hotel in Santa Monica, California, Biles shared her thoughts with YSL News Sports’ visual journalist Sandy Hooper about her charitable initiatives and a variety of other subjects.

Biles on aiding kids in foster care

Biles has been candid about her experiences within the foster care system. She shared that she spent around three years in foster care before she turned six, as her mother, Shannon, battled substance abuse issues.

“Growing up in foster care, the odds were certainly not in my favor, and that’s just a reality,” she mentioned on Thursday. “Yet, I overcame those challenges. While my family provided support, my experiences in foster care greatly shaped who I am today. I want children to value their journeys and know they can achieve anything regardless of their background.”

Biles expressed that as she has matured, she has felt a stronger urge to share her story. She has made an effort to be accessible to foster children, offering guidance and encouragement.

“Usually, their questions are quite innocent and playful since they are so young and curious,” she recounted regarding her interactions. “Things like, ‘How old are you?’ ‘How tall are you?’ ‘Do you have a boyfriend?’  It rarely turns serious with the little ones, but the older kids want to know about my motivations and passions. They are so much fun, and I adore them.”

Biles on her Netflix series

“Simone Biles: Rising” is a four-part docuseries that chronicles her return to the competitive scene and her preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was released in two segments, with the initial episodes airing in advance of the Olympics, and the concluding episodes available on Netflix from Friday.

Biles noted that the release timing of the docuseries prior to the Olympics didn’t add any pressure for her.

“I had the chance to view the episodes beforehand and discussed them with my therapist,” she shared. “While the timing was somewhat bold, I felt confident having done my mental preparation ahead of time, so I was okay with its release schedule.”

Biles also filmed a previous docuseries leading up to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She remarked that the filming of “Simone Biles: Rising” was much smoother, given there were no COVID-19 restrictions, and she appreciated working with the same director, Katie Walsh.

“Having a long-standing team made things much easier, and it felt like a walk in the park,” Biles said.

Biles on Jordan Chiles’ situation

Interestingly, Biles’ Netflix docuseries has provided footage that could assist her teammate, Jordan Chiles, in her efforts to keep her bronze medal for the floor exercise at the Paris Olympics.

Chiles has recently lodged an appeal with Switzerland’s top court to determine if her scoring inquiry was submitted within the permissible 60-second timeframe. After a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport indicated it was late, the footage from the documentary could substantiate that it was, in fact, timely, allowing for a pathway for Chiles to appeal.

When asked about her thoughts on the potential of the documentary footage aiding Chiles, Biles was cautious.

“This isn’t my area to comment on, but we will continue to support Jordan and lift her spirits because this is a challenging scenario,” she said.

Biles on her husband’s Olympic aspirations

With her own Olympic era behind her, Biles is eager to explore new interests and cheer for her husband, Jonathan Owens, who plays safety for the Chicago Bears.

While Biles hasn’t clarified whether she’ll compete in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, it’s feasible that her husband could be involved. Flag football is set to be included in the Olympic program for the first time in 2028, and discussions are underway about the participation of NFL players in Team USA.

“I think it would be really exciting. It’s bound to be a lot of fun,” Biles commented when asked about the possibility of her husband and his Bears teammates competing in 2028. “I know they’ve had numerous discussions regarding it, but it involves a great deal of sacrifice.

During the summer, just as they begin their training camp, the players face significant physical challenges due to the extended length of their season. Nevertheless, they are very enthusiastic and intrigued by the process. We will see how it all unfolds.