Please welcome Jane Francisco and Simone Biles. Hi, everyone. Thanks so much for joining us today. I am here with Simone Biles who really requires little intro. However, I'm gonna tell you *** little something about her because she is one of the greatest athletes of all time. Um The first woman to capture five all round world championship titles. Simone is the most decorated gymnast in the world championships history, male or female and I've seen her do *** few things um where she's been competing against males and it's usually pretty impressive. Um She has 25 medals overall, 19 gold and is *** seven time Olympic medallist with four golds, but Simone isn't just *** world class athlete. She's *** champion for mental health and that's part of what we want to talk to her about today. She uses her platform to help advocate for mental health and support initiatives for Children and young adults associated with adoption and foster care. So welcome Simone. Thank you so much for being with us today. We are so excited to have you. Um I guess we'll just jump in, you were adopted yourself and you've often talked about how fortunate you are to have your parents. Can you share *** little bit about how they've supported you on your journey? Mhm. Well, you know, adoption is kind of like taking, um, *** leap of faith, which, that's what my parents did because they already had two kids in the household. They were about to, um, graduate from high school and move on to college. So they were about to be empty nesters and then, um they knew that me and my sister and some of my other siblings were in the foster care system and um they took that leap of faith and just did what God told them. Like, let's let's see what happens, help them out, adopt them. So they did. And since um that day forward, they've always supported me in my craziest endeavors, which is one being an Olympic um hopeful to, to go on to that journey, which is super exciting. But they've been to all of my competitions as well as my sisters um supporting us each and every step of the way. Um even in school, being there for all of like father, daughter dances and all of that stuff. So, um they've always been there for us and supported us whatever we wanted to do. So that has been such an amazing um feeling that's amazing. Well, obviously, some of the results we've seen in terms of your performance and so on. But um you've also made some really bold moves in your life. And it was really brave of you to take yourself out of competition in Tokyo. What did you learn from that experience? From that experience? I learned how courageous and how strong I was because it truly takes some strength to acknowledge that it's ok to not be ok and to kind of take *** step back and to protect your mental and well-being. So that's what I did and I knew it was the right decision. Obviously, I was really sad because I had not only trained four years but an extra year. So five years for that, um Olympic hopes and dreams. So it just really showed me the strength that I had throughout my, like within myself and that I needed to trust what my body was telling me and what my mind was telling me. So that's what I did. Do you think based on this experience that it's maybe time to reframe the conversation around competition and, and the idea of what it means to be *** true champion? Um Like the idea of saying of having the strength to say that you're struggling, like you've, you've mentioned that um is it like, I mean, this is one of the things I guess about mental health is that people maybe don't feel like it's ok to admit weakness, right? Well, I think we're in such *** unique time just because of the pandemic. So I think nowadays *** champion means all sorts of things before we kind of related world champion to winning to being on top, to breaking records. But now it means being vulnerable, showing your inner strength, um being courageous. So I definitely think now it has *** new meeting just because of the pandemic and the things that everybody has been through um to try to keep up with what they were doing um *** couple of years ago. So I was having *** conversation with um one of my colleagues and we were talking about athletes and the kind of pressure that's on athletes and the type of um your sport is one where the focus is really on each individual teammate. Do, do you ever or always experience performance anxiety when you are competing? Yeah, I think um all professional and elite athletes um experience some sort of nerves, but if you don't experience nerves, then that means you might not be ready. So I feel like nerves are *** good thing. Um And it's also our body telling us like we're ready, you can do this and it's kind of hyping us up. So I think it's all good things. Um I don't shy away from them, obviously, I have different breathing um methods to help calm myself down whenever I'm feeling *** little bit anxious, but I believe in nerves that they're *** good thing. That's great. So you mentioned the importance of being vulnerable or feeling like it's ok to be vulnerable and of course, you've done this on *** public stage and you've sort of shown the importance of using your voice. How did you learn to put yourself first and think about your mental health? Um And put it forward. Honestly, it took quite *** while. I wish I would have learned um or at least embraced it um *** couple of years ago, but it's never too late. So I'm very proud of myself. But I honestly think that the pandemic has kind of helped me use my voice, utilize my platforms um and just truly be myself and let people in and be vulnerable right now. You mentioned the idea of routine before you compete. How do you put yourself in the mindset? You mentioned breathing. Is there anything else you do sort of leading up to that? Um Obviously, we do *** lot of training, which is our main preparation to make sure we're ready to go. But other than that, I, I try not to be superstitious because I compete all over like all over the world. So if I need like *** banana or something specific, what if in that country they don't have it or at or *** hotel? So I try not to be superstitious. I just really rely on training and um have confidence in myself. Great. Ok, so last year in the midst of COVID, you orchestrated *** 35 city tour with an all female gymnastic cast, like meeting girls in person on the road, tell us, well, coming off the pandemic and still kind of being in the midst of that and hosting that tour, um, we were just trying to give these kids *** sense of it's ok to not be ok. You have these elite athletes, these world athletes, um coming together and performing in *** show and just showing these kids that, hey, we struggle too, but it's how you move forward. It's how you go through life. And um it's how you come out on top and how strong you are. So it was really exciting, especially to have an all female cast, which I think the kids needed to see that too. Um To know that you can be independent, you can still be on top and you can still have fun. Um and to just live in the moment. So I think that's one of my um greatest accomplishments. It was super exciting. The cast had so much fun going around and meeting these young girls and boys from all um of the different cities was really exciting for us because we just wanted to give back, see them, put *** smile on their face for the night and um hopefully that's what we accomplished. So for us, it was um it was just *** huge feeling that was great. So, speaking of accomplishments, you have just launched *** partnership with Athleta in April and um I want to talk to you about it but before we do, there is *** video that um when I saw it actually gave me kind of *** bit of chill. So, um let's launch the video and then we could talk about it right after. Ok. No, I can't, I can't limit myself. I can't keep quiet. I have to try, I have the power to make anything happen and I will because I can, this campaign was so powerful. It is. It really is. And I noticed that um at least one of the little girls was wearing the same top that you're wearing right now. Um So she gets to wear the same top as Simone Biles, which is really exciting. So, um how tell us *** little bit about this partnership, why it's important to you and what you're hoping to accomplish with it. Well, for me, it's an important, it's important because this um company and this brand is um by women for women. So that's super exciting. But nonetheless, the sustainability and all of um that they believe in. But specifically this campaign in this collection was meant for the girls to really inspire them, they can do anything they put their minds to. And that's why throughout some of these um clothing items, we have some mantras, which are some of my favorites and that I've used throughout my career to kind of keep me going. Um especially if I'm having *** bad day or just that daily reminder that I can continue to do anything I put my mind to. So one of um uh there's three mantras that we utilize throughout the clothing. So one of them is because I can, another one is no dream is too big or too small. And another one is the floor is yours. So it's just that daily reminder for these kids, it's the little Simone on their shoulder. Um Just telling them you can do anything to put your mind to, I believe in you and you got this and I know at that age, um these kids sometimes feel *** little bit insecure or they have lack of confidence and we, I wanted to do the opposite with this collection with um with the designs with the color with the comfort. Um and it's very versatile so you can go from the school to the gym or whatever you want. So that's what excited me so much about this collection. That's so great. So obviously we can see your top. But can you tell us *** little bit about it? Like the color waves and, and also where do you find the mantras? Yes. So throughout the clothing, they're actually hidden in different places. So, um I do have another one, an item right here which is one of our jackets and see here it's kind of big and bold right around the arm. But some of them they go down the side. I believe this one might be um, on the side or on the back, but they're all over the place and the color ways were just some colors that I thought would brighten up these kids' days and some of my favorite colors that kind of helped me feel alive and on top of the world. So that's why we kind of did this dandelion yellow, which is one of my favorites. We kind of have the tangerine and the cool gray. So stuff like that. That's great. Um Did you have *** when you were *** girl or as you were kind of coming up? Yeah, some of them um throughout as I got older, that's why we utilize those three mantras because those are ones that kind of helped me feel in the zone and feel like um I'm on top of the world and I can accomplish anything. But growing up another one of my favorites um that my mom always told me and that really stuck with me was be the best Simone because at the end of the day, I could only be myself um and go out there and I was competing against myself. So, so I mean, you've mentioned your parents before. Um who did you look up to gain um to gain confidence? Yeah, definitely both my parents. Um They've always supported me and all my crazy endeavors been there for me to pick me up or just to even celebrate me whenever I'm at the top. So definitely my parents are my biggest role models. Um ok, so you are hoping that girls are gonna take something away from the clothing, but also from your journey. Can you share *** little bit about what you'd like to pass on to girls today? Yeah, hopefully the confidence I hope that these clothes um give it kind of instill that confidence in them that if Simone can do it, I can do it. And that's why we put these mantras on that clothing to have that little Simone on their shoulder to give them that daily reminder. So if anything they walk away um with happiness and confidence, I like the mental image. So one of your phrases is the floor is yours. Um And today we have people from all over Hearst and the floor is yours. And you've opened this conversation about mental health and wellness. You've opened it in any number of different places and platforms. Um Why do you think it's hard so hard for us to talk about this in personal terms? I think it's so hard for us to talk about it in personal terms because if you're going through mental health um issues, it's basically an invisible injury and it's so easy to explain to somebody why you're wearing *** cast because it's something physical, they can see it, they can touch it, they can, they understand. But if I'm like, hey guys, like my mental is not good today, I have to take *** step back. They can't fully grasp that because it's invisible so they can't touch it, they can't see it. So, I think that's why it's *** little bit harder to talk about, but that's why we have to keep, um, pushing that topic to the forefront and that's what we've done over the last couple of years, especially, um, throughout this pandemic. So do you feel given your experience that being on the public stage made that harder to bring that forward or easier? Or do you think it's just different? I think it's *** little bit different. I think it's harder to admit that it's ok to not be ok and that I am struggling too and um that I'm going through mental health issues as well, but I also think it shines um *** nice light on it and in that mental health does not discriminate. Um And so that we were able to bring that topic to the forefront and that people can relate to me on um *** personal level. So you may have actually already answered this question because I think setting an example may be one of the ways. But do you have ideas for how to make it easier or more doable for any of us to kind of bring up our own worries, concerns, fears, um et cetera. I think the biggest part is kind of admitting to yourself that, hey, I'm not ok, but that's ok. And then um some things that I do, I do weekly therapy. Um um I'm also on some medication to help with my anxiety and I'm definitely not ashamed about it. I've talked about it several times, but I see um the invisible injury. So to say as the same as somebody with um *** physical injury or if you have asthma, you need an inhaler and I have anxiety. So I need meds to help me to be uh stabilized. And that's ok. So maybe that conversation of equating, having mental, having ***, an issue that is mental versus having an issue that's physical is something for people to sort of embrace. Yes. Embrace it. Yeah. Ok. So what's next? What are you excited about for 2022 and beyond? I mean, I know you have something going on in my personal life. So, yes, I do have *** lot of things going on in my personal life. I just got engaged. So we're trying to plan *** wedding. So I feel like that's the next big thing. Um Right now I'm not in the gym training because I'm just trying to focus on myself making sure I'm 100% before I decide to make any big decision. Um whether that be go back to the gym or just continue to work closely with my partnerships. Um One being athletic, we've accomplished so much in such little time. So I'm excited to see where the next couple of years takes us. But, um, it all just depends. Um, I'll be married next year and we'll just have to see. I'm just along for the ride. That's great. That's great. Well, I feel like you deserve after all that sort of the focus and the hard work that you've put in. Um, so going back to the beginning, how did you get involved with gymnastics? How did you find this passion? And how did you figure out that you were good at it? Ok. So whenever I was younger, I was, um, six years old. Whenever I first entered the gym, it was actually on *** daycare field trip. We were supposed to go to the oil ranch here in Texas and it ended up raining. So that's what, um, that's why we went to the gym down the street for our daycare field trip and some of the coaches noticed how kind of built I was, how I was jumping around. I kind of had some legs and I started copying the girls in the back gym and they were like, wait, she, you guys said she's never gymnastics before. Like she's already pretty talented, copying the girls in the back. She's pretty strong, like she has *** strong build. And so they sent *** letter home asking if I wanted to join and the rest is kind of history and I didn't realize I was good till probably 15 or 16 years old whenever I made national team and, um, started going around the world and competing on some assignments. We went to Italy, we went to Germany and then, um, I did one here in the US, which was called American Cup. And then that later that year I made the World team and I actually ended up winning World, which is very rare for people to do their first time around. And that's when I kind of realized like, ok, I'm competing with the big dogs. I think I belong here. I think I can do this and hopefully in *** couple of years I can make an Olympic team. Um If I'm healthy, that's great. You have in, I've heard you use the term fun. *** number of times when you've talked about gymnastics and the training and the competing, um can you talk about that because it feels like that's *** part of your personality as well. Yes, it's definitely part of my personality. You know, they tried to, um, they tried to kind of shaped me into *** way where I was *** little bit more focused. But growing up, I had *** DH D it was no secret. People knew I was very hyperactive and kind of moving. But then they kind of worried because I was doing such big skills and most of the other girls were very um kind of like in sync and in tune and concentrating *** little bit more. But I realized once if I did that I would really overthink *** lot of my skills and either have mental blocks or this and that. So they were just like, ok, this is how she focuses. It's *** little bit different but she gets her work done. She still does her skill. Um, and so it was just *** little bit different but that's how it came out. That was the, be your best Simone. Yes, that was to be my best Simone because I mean, obviously when you're going through sports, um, they try to kind of whip you into shape and, but it not that it wasn't working for me, but I just had *** different way of learning. Got it. So, um, I have heard some little noises, some little nuzzle kinds of noises there. I understand you have some friends with you. Yes. Yes, I do. You to your dogs. Yes. Come here, Rambo. Come here, come here. Here's *** hi, come here. Oh, my goodness. Ok. Here's Rambo. That's *** hi. Oh, thank you. And then we have, we have three bulldogs and then here's Lilo. Say hi, Lilo, hi. Say hi. Now everybody's coming over here and then we have Zeus, but he's *** little bit bigger. Oh, thank you. And that's Zeus. So, one English bulldog, two French bulldogs and now they are just fired up. Well, I'm *** big believer in pets or four legged friends in terms of mental health support. Um, so how long did you grow? Up with animals or is this new for you? I definitely grew up with animals. We always had German Shepherds, um, as dogs. And then once I kind of got out of the house and went on my own, I was like, ok, I love French bulldogs. So then that's when I got lilo and she was actually my emotional support animal and she was certified and everything. So that to fly with me, she could. Um, and then during the pandemic, I got Rambo. So I kind of saved him. He was so cute. And, um, whenever he was *** puppy, the other puppies were like playing with him and bit his ear *** little bit too hard. And so he had to get like stitches and his ear is *** little bit wonky, but it's cute. It's very cute character trait. And I guess nobody really wanted him because Frenchies usually have that like dominant trait of like having the straight ears and his was *** little bit off. So I took him in and I was like, that's fine. I don't mind his ear and all the dogs get along really well. Well, that's so great. I wanna thank you again for being here with us today and sharing um, part of your journey and helping us all, hopefully help other people on their journeys. Um, and one of those, the things that we can do here is I wanted to ask you if you have *** favorite charity because there's an opportunity for everyone here to donate and that Hearst will match it. So, tell us what might be one of your favorite charities. I feel like I have *** couple, um I work very closely with like the girls and boys club. Um, what else? I do *** couple other charitable things, but I think if you ask the athletic team, they'll give you guys the perfect charity to either donate to or to go and see support. And I know my agents have *** couple of others on the list that we're always donating to and trying to do uh like appearances for the kids, right? Ok. So just to everyone here, um if you would like to support girls and boys clubs or if you would like to go and find one of the other charities or *** charity of your choice or girls on the run, girls on the run, right? Um You can do it on Hearst Gives Back or Fitch Community and Hearst is going to match your donation dollar for dollar. So, um Simone, thank you so much for talking to us today, for sharing and helping us hopefully raise more awareness and super. Thank you guys so much. I really appreciate you having this conversation and bringing me in. So thank you.