Michelle Obama's advice to Olympic gymnast Simone Biles is inspirational

The former First Lady's iconic catchphrase could stick with you too...

Michelle Obama's advice, US First Lady Michelle Obama and US Olympic gymnast Simone Biles during a ceremony honoring the 2016 US Olympic and Paralympic teams during an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, September 29, 2016
(Image credit: SAUL LOEB / Staff Getty)

Michelle Obama's advice to Olympic gymnast Simone Biles is inspirational as the young sports star revealed how the former First Lady had influenced her ambition.

There are not many people who can say they rubbed shoulders with Michelle Obama but young gymnast Simone did just that when she took to the stage at the White House, Washington DC, during a ceremony honoring the US 2016 Olympic and Paralympic teams who competed in Rio.

And if you're wondering what Michelle, 57, is doing now, she's still inspiring others.

Simone, 23, said, "I think she's been such an inspiration. Representation matters — kids looked at her and said, 'If she can be there, then I can too.' From the way she pushed boundaries to how she inspired young people to eat better and exercise, she changed so many lives," she told People magazine.

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But there's one iconic catchphrase that Michelle said during her speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention which has stuck with Simone.

She recalled, "For me, as an African American woman, something she said that I took to heart was 'When they go low, we go high,' " Biles reflects now. "Sometimes you have to be the bigger person. That'll always stick with me, especially being an African American. I like that one a lot."

Speaking about the time she met her idol, having filmed videos for Instagram together, Simone revealed Mrs. Obama even promised future sleepovers with her daughters Sasha, now 19, and Malia, 22.

She said, "She was so down to earth and so much fun. I really enjoyed my visit and I cherish those memories."

And it's heartwarming to see that once you cross paths with the former First Lady, who has since launched her own podcast, she doesn't forget you. 

Michelle publicly championed Simone back in 2019 when she became the first woman in nearly 70 years to win six U.S. all-around titles at the U.S.A. Gymnastics Championships, 

Mrs. Obama tweeted, 'Always breaking barriers, @Simone_Biles — couldn't be more proud of you!'

And Simone credits her as being part of the reason she's felt able to break down the barriers in society. She added, "She's such a role model that it makes you want to be the first in your category to do something, to strive to perfection."

Selina Maycock

Selina is a Senior Entertainment Writer with more than 16 years of experience in newspapers and magazines. She has covered all things Entertainment for GoodtoKnow, Woman&Home and My Imperfect Life. She has also worked as Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow. Before joining Future Publishing, Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism. She is fully NCTJ and NCE qualified and has 100wpm shorthand.