5 heartwarming ways Simone Biles is redefining her holiday traditions

Olympic champion opens up about first Christmas with husband Jonathan Owens while launching new Athleta collection
Gymnastics champion Simone Biles
Simone Biles (Photo credit: Nagashia Jackson for rolling out)

After a triumphant year marked by Olympic success and personal milestones, Simone Biles is preparing to celebrate the holiday season in an entirely new way. The gymnast’s extraordinary 2024, which included three Olympic gold medals at the Paris Games, is culminating in intimate holiday celebrations with her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens. Her remarkable return to competitive gymnastics has inspired millions, making this holiday season particularly special as she reflects on her achievements and looks forward to new beginnings.

New traditions emerge

  1. The first significant change comes as Biles and Owens plan their first private holiday celebration. “This is the first time Thanksgiving and Christmas will just be the two of us,” Biles revealed, marking a departure from their usual family gatherings. The intimate setting offers the couple a chance to establish their own unique traditions, blending their individual customs into new shared experiences. They plan to cook traditional family recipes together while creating their own signature dishes.
  2. The second transformation involves adapting to NFL schedules. As a new NFL wife, Biles has embraced the football lifestyle, adjusting holiday celebrations around game days. Her enthusiasm for this new chapter shines through as she describes the excitement of supporting her husband during holiday games. The adjustment has brought unexpected joy to their celebrations, creating memorable moments amid the busy sports season.
  3. The third adaptation reflects their merging family customs. While both bring their own holiday traditions to the relationship, they’re creating new ones together that honor both their backgrounds and shared future. This fusion includes combining their families’ traditional holiday meals, decorating styles, and celebration timing to create something uniquely their own.
  4. The fourth change centers on their approach to gift-giving, with Biles incorporating pieces from her new Athleta collection into their holiday celebrations. Her thoughtful selections reflect a desire to share her passion for athletic wear with loved ones while promoting comfort and style during the festive season.
  5. The fifth evolution involves their commitment to community engagement, as they plan to incorporate giving back into their holiday traditions. This dedication to social responsibility demonstrates their understanding of their platform and influence in both the sports and social spheres.

The Athleta collaboration deepens

Biles’s partnership with Athleta has grown beyond a typical athlete endorsement into a meaningful collaboration that reflects her personal values and style. The latest capsule collection features innovative designs that cater to athletes of all ages and abilities. “They supported me as a person – as just Simone rather than ‘Simone Biles,'” she explains, highlighting the authentic nature of the partnership.


The collection includes specially designed pieces that incorporate feedback from young athletes and parents, ensuring functionality meets style. Each item has been tested to meet Biles’s exacting standards for performance and comfort, making them perfect for both training and everyday wear.

Fashion meets function

The holiday collection showcases Biles’s understanding of athletic needs while maintaining style. Her top recommendations include:


The Elation Ultra High Rise Legging features a revolutionary fabric technology that provides both compression and flexibility, perfect for intense workouts or casual wear. Available in multiple colorways, these leggings have quickly become a favorite among athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

The Train Free Bra incorporates innovative support features while maintaining comfort for various activities. Its moisture-wicking fabric and adjustable straps make it versatile for different body types and workout intensities.

The collection’s fleece sets combine warmth with style, featuring details inspired by Biles’s personal preferences for post-workout comfort. These sets come in coordinated colors that can be mixed and matched for various occasions.

Supporting each other’s dreams

The couple’s mutual support system has become a cornerstone of their relationship. Biles attends football games regularly, immersing herself in her husband’s world. “My life kind of revolves around football,” she shared, demonstrating how their professional lives have beautifully intertwined. Owens reciprocates by supporting Biles’s gymnastics career and business ventures, often seen cheering from the sidelines during competitions.

Professional achievements in 2024

This year marked an extraordinary return to competition for Biles, who dominated the gymnastics world once again. Her performance at the Paris Olympics, securing three gold medals, demonstrated not only her athletic prowess but also her mental fortitude. Beyond the medals, she introduced new elements to the sport, continuing to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible in gymnastics.

Her success extended beyond competition, with sold-out tour dates across the country and growing business ventures. The year represented a perfect balance of athletic achievement and personal growth, setting new standards for athlete entrepreneurship.

Personal growth and development

Marriage has brought new perspectives to Biles’s approach to both competition and life. She credits this new chapter with helping her find balance between her athletic career and personal fulfillment. “Having someone who understands the pressures of professional sports while providing a sense of normalcy has been invaluable,” she explains.

Holiday preparations

The couple’s first holiday season together involves careful planning to accommodate both their busy schedules. They’re incorporating elements from both families’ traditions while establishing their own customs. Their home decoration plans blend modern aesthetics with traditional holiday elements, creating a space that reflects their shared taste.

Biles has taken up cooking as a new hobby, planning to prepare some of her family’s traditional recipes while learning some of Owens’s favorites. “We’re excited to create our own holiday menu that represents both our families,” she shares.

Impact on young athletes

Biles’s influence extends far beyond her athletic achievements. Young gymnasts across the country look up to her not just for her skills but for her advocacy of mental health and work-life balance. Gymnastics programs report increased enrollment, particularly among young girls inspired by Biles’s example of strength and resilience.

Community initiatives

The couple has launched several charitable initiatives for the holiday season, focusing on youth sports programs and mental health awareness. Their foundation plans to provide athletic equipment and training opportunities to underprivileged communities, ensuring more young people have access to sports programs.

Looking toward 2025

While enjoying their first holiday season as a married couple, Biles and Owens are already planning for an exciting 2025. Their plans include expanding their community outreach programs and possibly collaborating on new athletic initiatives. Biles hints at new business ventures while maintaining her commitment to gymnastics advocacy.

Setting new standards

As they redefine their holiday traditions, Biles and Owens set an example for other couples navigating the complexities of professional sports careers. Their approach demonstrates how to maintain individual identity while building a shared life, inspiring both athletes and fans alike.

The impact of their story extends beyond sports, influencing conversations about work-life balance, mental health, and the evolution of traditional celebrations. Through their openness about creating new traditions while honoring their past, they’re showing others how to embrace change while staying true to their values.

Looking ahead

Their holiday celebration marks the end of a remarkable year and the beginning of new adventures together. As they continue to build their life together, Biles and Owens remain committed to their sports, their community, and each other, proving that with support and understanding, it’s possible to have it all.

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