Simone Biles has spent much of the past few weeks giving fans glimpses into a life that looks very different from the demanding routine of an Olympic gymnast.
From international trips and designer outfits to game days with her husband, Jonathan Owens, and time with friends and family, the 11-time Olympic medalist appears to be making the most of life outside elite competition.
Simone Biles embraces method dressing in London with a special touch for Jonathan Owens
That does not necessarily mean Biles has abandoned the possibility of returning to gymnastics.
However, with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approaching and her comeback plans still undecided, the contrast between her visible lifestyle and the relatively limited training content she has shared publicly has become difficult to ignore.
One of her most recent high-profile appearances came in London, where she travelled to support Owens as the Indianapolis Colts faced the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 4.
Biles shared glimpses of her day with followers, including time with her friend Torrie Brown, her journey to the stadium and a carefully planned outfit inspired by the British capital.
Fashion was a major part of the appearance. Biles wore a custom two-piece trench-style outfit featuring Owens' number and surname, alongside jewellery and a sparkling Chanel bag.
The trip followed another Colts game the previous week, when she coordinated designer looks with Owens and shared photos with friends and family.
These moments offer a glimpse into the interests and relationships occupying her time away from the gym. But they also raise a question that will follow Biles as the next Olympics draw closer: how much does she genuinely want to commit to another demanding Olympic cycle?
Travel, fashion and family life are taking centre stage
Biles has previously spoken about the difficulty of balancing her own career with Owens' NFL schedule.
In September, she told Us Weekly that she would not normally travel to his away games during the 2026 season, explaining that she wanted to use those weekends to work on her own commitments after attending every game the previous year.
She nevertheless made the trip to London for the Colts' international fixture.
Her public updates have also highlighted fashion, social occasions and the time she spends supporting her husband.
Those posts do not establish how often she trains privately, and a lack of gym videos should not be mistaken for proof that she is doing no preparation. Still, fans have far more visible evidence of her activities outside gymnastics than of a structured build-up towards LA28.
Biles has been candid that she has not made a final decision about competing again. Speaking on Good Morning America, she explained why the opportunity to compete on home soil is appealing but said she still needs to weigh the personal costs.
“I feel like it’s hard to turn down home Games, but at the end of the day, I need to weigh the present cons of what it’s really going to look like. So, I have to be really confident in that decision. So, I still say 50-50. I did see my coaches the other day, and we always talk about it and what that journey would look like, and I’ve been in the gym, like flipping around and seeing what the air awareness looks like. So, it’s fun to go and flip,” she said.
That update confirms she has been back in the gym experimenting with skills, even if she has not publicly outlined a full training programme.
Her comments suggest the door remains open, but a few sessions are a long way from committing to the years of preparation required to contend for Olympic medals.
Family plans are another important consideration. Biles and Owens have spoken about wanting to start a family, and another Olympic campaign would require considerable time, travel and sacrifice.
At 29, with an extraordinary career already behind her, Biles has reasons to consider whether another Games would fit the life she wants next.
She has also made clear that mental health must remain central to any decision. Reflecting on the demands of a possible return, she previously said: “Mental health plays a big role in it because, physically, my coaches will get me in shape. I can get myself in shape. We believe in that ability. We’re really thankful that I’m still healthy.”
Biles' achievements at Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 have already secured her place among gymnastics' greatest athletes.
Her Paris comeback, after the difficulties she experienced in Tokyo, demonstrated that she can still perform at the highest level. But it does not mean she owes the sport another Olympic appearance.
For now, her public life appears centred on enjoying opportunities beyond competition, including supporting Owens, exploring fashion and spending time with the people closest to her.
Whether that reflects a deliberate break before training intensifies or a growing preference for life after gymnastics remains unknown.
The Los Angeles Games would offer Biles a rare chance to compete at an Olympics in her home country.
Yet until she shares a clearer commitment to training and makes a final decision, her return remains uncertain, and her busy life away from the gym is an increasingly prominent part of the story.