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Simone Biles presented the 2025 Commencement speech at Washington University in St. Louis on May 12 at Francis Olympic Field. Below are her prepared statements.

I appreciate that wonderful reception. Good morning, Washington University Class of 2025, and congratulations! You’ve accomplished it; you are now college graduates!

I am privileged to be here with you to celebrate this day. Thank you to Chancellor Martin and the Washington University Board of Trustees for allowing me to be part of this significant event.

I feel honored to be among all these individuals who have come to support you: your WashU administrators and advisors, your educators and mentors; and most importantly, your parents, siblings, grandparents, spouses, children, and all the special individuals you proclaim as family and friends. Behind each of your successes, including this very occasion, stands a team of supporters who believed in you, motivated you, and perhaps even carried you through your hardest times. I know everyone here today, and those watching from home, are filled with pride for you, their WashU graduate!

I must confess, I am a bit anxious! You might assume I’m accustomed to the spotlight, but I would likely feel more at ease if I could vault onto the stage and perform a little floor routine.

But genuinely, today is your moment. While I might be recognized as an elite athlete, I understand that you, you are exceptional students. While I can boast a few ‘firsts’ in my sport, I know that some of you are the first in your families to achieve your degree. Can we get a round of applause for our first-generation graduates?

For some of you, perhaps you displayed early promise and faced every challenge in elementary, middle, and high school resolutely, forging new paths along the way. Attending college and graduating may have seemed like a foregone conclusion.

However, I’m willing to wager that this is among the most challenging endeavors you’ve undertaken in life. As this chapter concludes for you, another is about to start. For some, thoughts of excitement and the sense of adventure ahead may prevail. For others, perhaps today triggers feelings of fear and worry about what the future may bring. And just maybe, some may wonder whether today marks the pinnacle of your achievements to come. And it’s not because you won’t go on to great things, which I firmly believe each of you will, each in your own manner.

Instead, I contend that college comes at a complex, transitional phase in life. You’re an adult, yet you still require substantial support from home. You might carry a childhood identity or your family’s expectations in ways you haven’t entirely grasped yet. You may also be deeply concerned about what your support system thinks, but only you are accountable for your choices, and only you will bear the consequences. And if there’s one lesson I’ve learned from WashU, it’s that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, as they do challenge you quite rigorously here!

But today’s celebration isn’t solely about the diploma you are receiving; it’s also about the acknowledgment of the shared experiences — both good and challenging — that you’ve encountered along the journey that has prepared you for the next phase of your life.

I always envisioned attending college, not merely to join a collegiate gymnastics team but to study medicine, aiming to become a children’s nurse or a pediatrician, and to partake in all the joys of campus life. But for me, that dream collided with others, and ultimately, I opted for a different route. Nevertheless, I believe my journey and yours share numerous similarities. Though mine likely included a bit more glitter and leotards.

Achievement in academia, much like in sports, demands sacrifice and commitment. There is much enjoyment on the journey, but to reach the summit, you must also discover joy in the effort. To be an elite student or athlete, or anything exceptional, one must embody that spirit. The kind of individual who is propelled by intrinsic passion, what makes them feel most alive and genuine, when they are pushing their limits and those of their disciplines.

If that resonates with you, then you should know that I absolutely empathize. If there’s one thing I understand well, it’s pressure, and I know you all have been feeling it these last few years. Perhaps, like me, you can’t recall a time when you didn’t feel it.

Well, I’m here to encourage you to take a deep breath. Let’s do it right now, together. On the count of three, we’re going to take a really deep breath — in through your nose, fill your lungs, hold for a moment or two, and exhale completely through your mouth. Here we go, 1-2-3.

Ahh. I don’t know about you, but breathing like that in moments such as this is incredibly beneficial for me.

Graduates, you’ve already accomplished so much, and it’s crucial to take the time to recognize what you’ve achieved, to inhale it all in, to embrace that feeling of success. In today’s fast-paced world, things happen rapidly, and there tends to be this urgency for what’s next rather than relishing the present. In the coming days and months, you might feel like you’re drifting for a while, without the structure of school to anchor you. And that’s alright. Allow it to be, and take some time for yourselves.

Because truly, all you need to do is be yourselves.

You don’t have to be the best engineer, the best lawyer, the best entrepreneur, or the best social worker. You simply need to be the best version of yourself that you can be, the greatest you of all time.

People often refer to me as the GOAT. Not the animal, but the greatest of all time. I won’t lie; occasionally, it gives me chills reflecting on what I’ve achieved in gymnastics. But I’m going to share a little secret — becoming the GOAT was never my objective. All I ever aspired to be was the best Simone I could be. My goal was to be the greatest Simone Biles of all time. I aimed for it, and I still pursue it today. And when self-doubt creeps in, I think of what my mother instilled in me from a very young age, to be the best Simone I can be, every single day. (Thank you, Mom!)

Now, don’t misunderstand. I am a tad competitive. Even as a preschooler, I never shied away from a challenge. I began gymnastics at age 6, which is slightly older than might be expected. When I was 7, I saw a cheerleader execute a standing back tuck, and I told my coach that I could do it. And I did. Then another coach dared me to do it on a high beam. I climbed up, attempted it, and succeeded. But a professional career in gymnastics — and competitions like U.S. Nationals, Worlds, and the Olympic Games — weren’t even on my radar at that point. But my coaches recognized it, at least that’s what they say now. My point is, all I wanted was to perform my best — at age 6, 16, 26, and beyond — it has always been about doing my utmost. Not to please others. Not to meet external expectations. Not due to outside pressures. No, it has always been about being the best Simone that I can be, and I am immensely proud to say I’ve remained true to that.

And that’s all you have to do as well, show up and be the best you. And that journey doesn’t conclude today just because you’ve achieved this remarkable milestone as part of the Washington University Class of 2025. We are not only honoring your diploma — we are also celebrating you for the effort you’ve committed, for all the sacrifices you’ve made to reach this point, for all the challenges you’ve faced, and we acknowledge how your time at WashU will continue to empower you to be your best as you advance in your future pursuits.

With the time I have remaining, I would…
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I would like to share some advice for transforming into the best version of yourself.

First and foremost, keep in mind that the only element you can manage is yourself. So regardless of your ambitions, show up for yourself on a regular basis. Engage in something daily that challenges you. Put in the effort on days when everything aligns and you’re in your rhythm, and equally important, put in the effort on days when you feel out of place. When you’re consistent, when you bring your utmost to your practice every day, you will be prepared for the significant moments. For me, it didn’t matter whether I was competing in a community event or the Olympics; the only distinction was the environment. I could trust in the work I had done because I continually gave my best self to practice, and now all I needed to do was go out there and perform.

Next, I urge you to remain imaginative! Regardless of what your aspirations are or what you’re engaged in, make creative thinking a priority. Because no one, and I mean absolutely no one’s, journey to success is linear. As you strive for your goals, there will be times you fall behind, and yes, at times you will encounter failure. But that’s fine. It simply indicates that you haven’t unraveled everything yet. When — not if, but when — this occurs, just take it as a learning experience and transition to Plan B. If Plan B doesn’t yield results, then craft a Plan C, and then guess what — there are still more letters in the alphabet. The secret to achievement is the readiness to constantly discover a solution, and you must maintain your creativity throughout the journey.

Third, practice mindfulness and care for your entire being. Work cannot be your sole focus. Make an effort to carve out time for the hobbies you love. Dedicate quality moments for yourself, and prioritize your mental health as much as your physical well-being. Seek out friends and family who ignite your happiness and recharge your spirit, surround yourself with positive individuals who bring the best out of you, and ensure they remain high on your list of priorities.

Finally, to truly become the Greatest You of All Time, seize the chance to be a leader. Keep a lookout in the rearview mirror as you forge a path for those who look up to you, who may wish to follow you, as you never know who might be observing. When I faced challenges, when the world saw my setbacks or failures, I’d reflect on the kids at my gym and all the young individuals who admired me. What would I convey to them if they were in my shoes? I’d offer them words of encouragement. I’d remind them that a moment doesn’t determine a person’s worth. I’d tell them to get back on track. I’d express that it’s perfectly fine to take a moment to breathe, to rest, and to reset. If you don’t have young people in your life, think about your younger self and strive to make them proud.

In conclusion, I’d like to leave you with some wisdom that I encountered years ago and keep in mind until today:

The world doesn’t require you to be flawless. It needs you to be courageous, to care, and to persevere even when things don’t proceed as anticipated. So venture out there and author your own narrative — one that only you can narrate.

WashU Class of 2025, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations once more. I’m confident you will step into the world and shine. Because, genuinely, you already do.

Thank you.

The post Simone Biles’ 2025 Commencement Address appeared first on The Source.

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