Empowering Others to Tell Their Stories

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It’s widely known that Simone Biles feels uncomfortable when athletes are repeatedly asked about their future plans immediately following the realization of their long-held dreams.

However, contemplating her next steps following her Olympic victories in 2024 and solidifying her status as the most exceptional gymnast ever, a course of action gradually took shape – leading towards the realm of entertainment.

Regardless of my personal preferences, I’ve been immersed in the entertainment industry for most of my professional journey. Reflecting on my younger days, I harbored dreams of becoming a nurse, a profession dedicated to helping others and being actively involved in the community,” Biles shares with EbMaster regarding her choice to join the board of Religion of Sports (ROS), a media company established by NFL greats Tom Brady and Michael Strahan, along with Emmy-winning filmmaker Gotham Chopra.

Biles expresses that this approach seems exceptionally special for her to remain connected, contribute positively, and share stories beautifully. She’s constantly immersed in this environment, so she thinks it’s only fitting to provide others with a platform as well.”

Or:

“Biles articulates that this method is quite unique for her to stay engaged, offer support, and convey tales in an uplifting manner, tastefully. Since she’s always surrounded by it, she believes it’s only appropriate to extend the same opportunity to others.

She chose to affiliate with ROS specifically because she had prior experience with them. Over the last five years, they’ve been by her side, documenting her journey from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics to the Paris games for the Netflix docuseries “Simone Biles Rising,” directed by Katie Walsh. This platform enabled Biles to reclaim her narrative and share her story authentically, discussing the distinct pressures she experiences as a Black woman excelling in an individual sport, while also emphasizing mental health awareness.

Toward the finale of filming, when Biles started pondering over a nagging query, Chopra and the crew stepped in to guide her through some prospects that were heading her direction.

We’ve found success in assisting Tom and Michael in sharing their narratives, as they are quite accomplished beyond their sports careers. It began to make sense naturally that we could benefit each other, a concept we discussed casually,” Chopra explains to EbMaster during a separate Zoom call with Religion of Sports CEO Ameeth Sankaran.

Simone is amazing in numerous aspects and has an open personality, which was apparent in the series. She’s not only ambitious in her sport but can also be considered a great athlete (GOAT). She has dominated her sport, and I believe her aspirations beyond the mat are equally impressive. There are many opportunities waiting for her that we want to help her take advantage of and be part of.

ROS extended an invitation to Simone Biles to join their board as a creative collaborator, marking the first time since 2017 that someone has been asked to do so in this role. Given their close relationship, her acceptance was swift. “They’ve told my story so eloquently,” Biles says. “We want to offer more opportunities for others – female athletes, women, and people in general – to share their stories, empowering them to tell their narratives themselves.” She continues, “Now we’re like family. It’s heartening that they recognized me as both Simone and Simone Biles.

Indeed, ROS boasts a fair amount of expertise in the realm of storytelling, having developed critically acclaimed programs such as “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma” (Netflix), “In the Arena: Serena Williams” (ESPN+), and “Kobe Bryant’s Muse” (Showtime). These projects have earned them four Sports Emmys. They’ve also worked on Simone Biles’ projects, namely “Simone Biles Rising” and her Facebook Watch series “Simone Vs. Herself.” Moving beyond sports, they’ve produced documentaries like “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story” on Hulu, and have collaborated with notable talents such as Jake Gyllenhaal, Trevor Noah, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck.

According to Chopra’s perspective, based on the industry trends and the company’s development over the past eight years, particularly the last few years, and the shifting market dynamics, it’s necessary for us to broaden our partnership scope. Our current focus is on creating premium, non-scripted content. However, we are now venturing into scripted content, live productions, and collaborating with brands.

Biles possesses a strong personal brand, and the aim is to assist her in utilizing it effectively while maintaining authenticity within the entertainment industry. Chopra comments, “She has a lot of ground to cover, and it promises to be thrilling! We’re merely here to provide assistance when needed.

As a film critic, I find Simone Biles’ viewpoint particularly captivating. Not only is she a woman in a predominantly male-dominated field, but she also stands alone without the backing of a team sport. Instead, she funds her own journey, giving her experience a unique twist compared to others. With this distinct perspective, she brings valuable insights to the table when advocating for individuals who may face similar challenges, such as ADHD or being a foster child like herself. She understands the comfort required to share one’s story effectively.

Sankaran agrees: “She offers a unique perspective that enables us to explore fresh categories, such as mental wellness, the experiences of Black and brown communities, empowerment stories from women, and topics she truly cares about. This is different from Tom, Michael, or most others we collaborate with. Additionally, her eagerness for exploration and our desire to venture beyond just unscripted narratives into potential scripted content, live events, and other fields made it an ideal moment for us to grow together with her.

Currently, the collaboration is brainstorming ideas without any limitations on the kind of content to be produced later on. This means potential projects could involve Simon Biles appearing on screen, as well as ones where she helps tell other people’s stories.

Angel Reese and Sha’Carri Richardson have compelling tales to share, and I’m eager to see what lies ahead for them, Biles remarks, mentioning a few athletes she’s interested in. “I dislike the question when people ask me, but nonetheless. Keeping tabs on their stories and their ongoing journeys – whether they continue competing in sports or move onto something new – I believe that would be truly amazing,” she adds.

This raises the crucial point: could it be that Biles is stepping away from competitive gymnastics?

I’m thrilled to share that my latest venture signifies a organic progression in my entrepreneurial and narrative exploration, broadening my impact beyond my competitive years as a gymnast. Whether I return to competition or not, this partnership allows me to continue shaping narratives and making a difference in new ways.

When I bring up the disclaimer, Biles chuckles and affirms, “You’ve got it right.” That pretty much covers it.

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2025-02-19 00:47