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USA Today
27-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Finding ‘balance' with Simone Biles wasn't always easy, longtime coach reveals
Finding 'balance' with Simone Biles wasn't always easy, longtime coach reveals Show Caption Hide Caption Simone Biles' message for foster care children: 'You can do anything' Simone Biles is a national ambassador for Friends of the Children, and she shares her message for children in foster care. "Simone never would have made it in my gym." Aimee Boorman has heard that line, over and over, from other coaches when they talk about the gymnast she helped lift to heights never seen within their sport. "They say it with a sense of pride," Boorman tells USA TODAY Sports, "and it's like, 'So you realize how many potential Simones you have pushed out of your gym?' " Biles was the kid who always loved the gymnastics part, but not the work that went into making her the best. Some days she just wanted to go home. Those characteristics didn't necessarily change as she grew into the decorated champion America knew. Boorman, though, was willing to manage them in a way others wouldn't. Biles' coach from age 7 through her four-gold-medal performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics remembers her as one of her more challenging pupils. "If everybody is just strict and obedient, you grow stale as a coach," Boorman says. "So when you have somebody who's throwing something new at you all the time, on an emotional level, on a personality level, you gotta grow. And I think some of those other coaches weren't willing to grow. "When people say, 'Well, there's only going to be one Simone,' I'm like, 'That's not true.' You have to know how to manage that athlete to get them to the point they could be a Simone." Boorman's approach – nurturing, forgiving, even relenting – was novel to coaching within a sport of forced discipline and regulation. She lays out her methodology, ingrained in her by a tumultuous childhood experience, in "The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles." The book, which was released last week, reveals a back story of how athletes develop and mature but also how they can have giggles on their face before and after their most triumphant Olympic moments. Boorman and co-author Steve Cooper spoke with us about facing unique challenges while coaching and parenting our athletes and how we can overcome them in unexpected ways. "Nothing about Simone's greatness was inevitable," Cooper said during our Zoom interview. "It was a process. It wasn't just luck." 'If it wasn't fun, she wasn't having any part of it': Without love for a sport, it's difficult to move forward Boorman is often asked if she knew when Biles would become superstar. The answer: When she became one. "Up until that point, anything can happen," she says, "and any given day, if Simone didn't have that passion and that love for gymnastics inside of her, she could be like, 'I'm done. I'm gonna go run track.' " Boorman recalls the joy she felt as a young girl in the early 1980s, when she first flung herself from the bars of Lakeshore Academy in Chicago, but also how quickly a reckless coach drained it from her. No matter how long she stood on the balance beam, her arms raised until they were numb trying to get Coach Jeremy's attention, he wasn't satisfied. His name is a pseudonym, but also an extreme archetype for an era of the sport: No positive reinforcement, no acknowledgement of effort and sometimes little hope. And yet, like most kids, Aimee yearned to please him. She arrived early one day, straining to grab his undivided attention by working out on her own. She broke her leg. Then he ignored her for months until she finally quit. "I was really useless to him because I couldn't compete,' she says. She was pulled back when she coached preschool kids after school a couple of years later. There was something bright within them that she used to feel, something we can so easily push out of young athletes if we don't nurture it. It was a light she saw in a 7-year-old who bounced around Bannon's, the gym north of Houston where Boorman started working as a young adult. Simone Biles couldn't sit still, but when she did, she pushed herself up off the ground with her arms and slid her legs from straight in front of her to a position in which she was lying on her stomach. "What she was doing is not normal," Boorman says. "We knew that she was going to be able to learn very quickly, but she was just a little girl, and she didn't like to do the conditioning, and she didn't want to have to take extra turns. She just wanted it to be fun. And when it wasn't fun, she wasn't having any part of it. She didn't want to be involved at all. "There will be a point where they turn a corner and they need to make a decision on if they want to continue and put in the extra hours and extra effort and all of that, but if you don't have that basis of love for the sport, they never get to that point." COACH STEVE: 70% of kids drop out of youth sports by 13. Why? 'There is no possible way you could disappoint me': Every day, even a bad one, is an opportunity to move forward Like other kids, Biles had fears. One was a mental block on her beam series. Boorman would ask her to complete it three times, but would never leave her out there too long like Jeremy had done. They would just come back the next day and try again, a give-and-take that would continue throughout their time together. "There were times that she would come in the gym in the morning and she would have a sense of dread about what she was going to have to do based on what she did or didn't finish the day before," Boorman says. "And I hope that when she walked in and saw me, and I was like, 'Good morning,' and I was very light with her, that then she could go, 'OK, wait a minute. Maybe I'm not in trouble. Maybe I didn't disappoint her.' " Boorman, through the torture, had felt like she was letting Coach Jeremy down. To this day, she tells her students, "There's no possible way you could disappoint me." It's up to them, not her, what they became but it's her job to support what they want. "As a coach, you could never want it more than the athlete," she says, "and if you do want it more than the athlete, then there's a problem. I know a lot of overzealous young coaches who are like, 'Oh, but I want an Olympian,' but you're never going to have an Olympian because that's what you want. "If we focus too much on the championship and on that win, then we're losing the human in the process." She likes to live in a "compliment sandwich," where constructive criticism is surrounded by praise and effort, even on so-called bad days. Those are a matter of perspective, anyway. "I have an elite gymnast (who) had been out of the gym for a couple of months, not really training, and she came back in and successfully did a skill that she hadn't done in two months, and she was like, 'That was terrible,' " Boorman says. "And I was like, 'You haven't done it in two months, and you did it. We're going to celebrate those wins, and it's going to be better tomorrow." Boorman wanted her students to be comfortable around her so they would express themselves. That way, she could see deep inside and better understand them. "Simone's not a person to go (in) the corner and go through her stuff in her head to get her in the zone," she would learn. "She has to be there, completely relaxed, cheering on other people. And then when the green light goes on for her to compete, she's like, game on. But she doesn't waste any of that in her mind. In her mind that, ???? focus is a waste for her. Other athletes are completely different." 'Its just gymnastics': The needs of the athlete – not those of the coach – have to come first Biles realized her connection with "Coach Aimee" at 13, when she was invited to a U.S. women's national team development camp and saw teammates who weren't as close with their coaches. They all trained under the strict orders of the program, which wasn't for Biles. "People who are ridiculously talented don't have to work that hard," Boorman says. "So when she had to work hard because she was struggling with something, she was not the most pleasant to be around, because it was very frustrating for her and it was easy for her to give up. I can say she was incredibly dedicated. I can't say she was an incredible hard worker. She knew it became the job that she chose to do and coming in and putting in the hours and everything. But I've known a lot of people who are much harder workers, I guess is the gentle way is to say it." Martha Karolyi, the program leader, called Biles sloppy and lazy at one of her early visits to camp. Boorman says that killed her confidence, and she declined their next invitation. Biles didn't start training a lot of hours until she was 16 or 17. "If we had focused on the refinement earlier, she could have been winning meets earlier, but there was also the risk of burnout," Boorman says. Those mid-teen years coincided with what Boorman calls the toughest days coaching Biles. "It was never, 'I don't want to do this, I want to do this,' " Boorman says. "But there were the normal teenage antics, the head butting and things like that. And so I had to be very strategic about when I would push and when I would let go. I know this can be construed as you're kicking somebody out of practice, but there would be days that I would say, 'I think practice should be over for today because we're not getting anywhere. Neither one of us is having fun.' "And sometimes she was like, 'Bye,' and other times she's like, 'No, I'm sorry. I want to get this done. I'm just frustrated.' But no matter what every day was, we turned the page." Ahead of the U.S. Classic in 2013 in Chicago, Boorman says Biles intentionally fell off the apparatus, jumped off the beam and let herself fall on her vaults. It was her way, her coach said, of controlling an environment where she didn't want to work. Boorman wouldn't force Biles through workouts, but she would let her fail in competition to make a point. When she took a nasty fall, they moved on to the next event. "I've always been a big supporter of family vacations and take the day off," Boorman says. "We need mental health days. When I was a gymnast, there was no such thing, and I think that there's too many sports in general, they want you to come in when you're sick, when you're tired, when you're mentally exhausted, because that's going to build character. And I just disagree with it. I feel like, if you take one day off and you rest, you're going to come back so much stronger. "It's just gymnastics. You shouldn't be risking your health just to achieve a sports goal." When she was no longer working with Boorman, Biles removed herself from the 2020 Games when she developed "the twisties." She had concluded, Boorman says, that "the Olympics were not more important than her life." "I think somewhere in her she knew it was going to be OK, and I think that was probably because early on in her career, it was OK to just pull yourself from the competition," says Cooper, Boorman's co-author. Overcoming 'the twisties' in 2016: 'You only have to live up to your own expectations' The twisties occur when a gymnast can't tell where he or she is in the air. Biles also beat them ahead of the Rio Olympics, which Boorman reveals in her book. She was 19 and had won two world championships titles in a row and feeling the pressure of weight and expectations of being the favorite of her first Olympics. Instead of forcing twists, Boorman temporarily removed them from Biles' routine, which relieved the pressure. "And each day I would say, 'OK, do you feel like twisting today?' And she'd be like, 'Well, yeah, but I think I can only go off beam.' And so she would only do her beam dismount.' She wouldn't twist off bars or floor or falls. "It would be baby steps from there. She might come in one day and say, 'OK, I think I'm ready to do this today.' And then she would start to do it and be like, 'No.' And I'm like, 'OK, don't worry about it. There's so many other things we can do.' And then instilling that confidence in her that she wasn't going to lose her skills was important as well. They were relying on the repetition they had already done. "We had taken so many years to refine them that the muscle memory was there," Boorman says. "We just had to clear out her brain." They gradually noticed she was cured over time, like the way we notice other peoples' children growing, then realize ours are, too. "I always told her that she wasn't responsible for other people's expectations of her," Boorman says. "That was their problem and shame on them for setting those expectations. She only had to live up to her own expectations." Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons' baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now sports parents for two high schoolers. His column is posted weekly. For his past columns, click here. Got a question for Coach Steve you want answered in a column? Email him at sborelli@
Associated Press
13-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Friends of the Children Partners with Nulo to Support Youth and Care for Their Pets
Friends of the Children and premium pet food brand Nulo are teaming up to make a difference—both for kids and their beloved pets—in a new campaign initiative, Paws-For-A-Cause. This year, from February 15 to March 31, Nulo will donate 10% of sales from any Nulo products purchased at participating pet retail stores in the states of Oregon and Washington to support youth and their pets in the Friends of the Children network. For a list of participating retail locations, visit As a longtime advocate for children and supporter of family pets, Friends of the Children and Nulo ambassador Simone Biles is proud to support Nulo's Paws-For-A-Cause initiative. 'I know firsthand the impact that unconditional love and support can have on a child's life,' Biles said. 'For so many of the incredible kids involved with Friends of the Children, pets are a dependable source of comfort and companionship. I'm thrilled to support the Paws-For-A-Cause collaboration that celebrates Friends of the Children youth and their pets to help make sure their pets receive the nutrition and care they deserve in return for the support they offer their families.' Friends of the Children was founded in 1993 and employs full-time, paid professional mentors—called Friends—who commit to each child for 12+ years, no matter what. What began as a small organization in Portland, Ore. has now reached over 16,000 children and family members in 42 locations nationwide. Many of the youth in the program rely on their pets for emotional support, and this collaboration ensures that both the children and their furry friends receive the love and care they need. 'Thanks to Nulo's generous commitment, every pet food purchase becomes an opportunity to uplift a child and their pet,' said Terri Sorensen, National CEO of Friends of the Children. 'We are so grateful for this partnership and for Simone's continued advocacy.' Nulo, known for its high-quality, protein-rich pet food, has long been devoted to prioritizing premium nutrition in support of pet health and wellness. This initiative furthers Nulo's mission to Fuel Incredible—whether in athletes, kids or pets. According to Nulo's founder and CEO, Michael Landa, 'Our pets play such a key part in our mental health and overall support system. When a child is at risk, the love and companionship of a pet can make all the difference. We are so pleased to be partnering with Simone in support of such an amazing organization, doing such great work for children, and in a way that is so aligned with our brand purpose.' Nulo is taking a unique approach to charitable giving by allocating the total program donation through individual gift certificates to children in the program who have pets. Redeemable at participating retailers for Nulo products and essential pet accessories, these certificates will ensure the children and their pets receive what they need, while creating a meaningful experience for the children with their Friends. For more information on how to support Friends of the Children and this initiative, visit or About Friends of the Children Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty by empowering youth who face the greatest obstacles. Through long-term, salaried, professional mentoring—12+ years, no matter what—we create lasting impact for children and families. Operating in 42 locations across the country, our innovative model has earned national recognition and been featured in The New York Times, Associated Press, CNN, USA Today and The L.A. Times. Visit to learn more, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. About Nulo Nulo is on a mission to fuel the inner athlete in every pet. With a wide range of ultra-premium food formats available in more than 6,500 pet specialty retailers nationwide, Nulo ensures pets enjoy the best in digestive and immune health, skin and coat care, mobility, and weight management. Recognized as one of Forbes Magazine's 'Most Innovative Brands at Retail,' Nulo's offerings are rich in animal-based proteins and low in carbs, crafted to keep pets thriving alongside their human companions. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Austin, TX, Nulo continues to inspire pet parents and athletes alike. For more information, visit
Reuters
13-02-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Friends of the Children Partners with Nulo to Support Youth and Care for Their Pets
PORTLAND, OR, February 13, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- Friends of the Children and premium pet food brand Nulo are teaming up to make a difference—both for kids and their beloved pets—in a new campaign initiative, Paws-For-A-Cause. This year, from February 15 to March 31, Nulo will donate 10% of sales from any Nulo products purchased at participating pet retail stores in the states of Oregon and Washington to support youth and their pets in the Friends of the Children network. For a list of participating retail locations, visit As a longtime advocate for children and supporter of family pets, Friends of the Children and Nulo ambassador Simone Biles is proud to support Nulo's Paws-For-A-Cause initiative. 'I know firsthand the impact that unconditional love and support can have on a child's life,' Biles said. 'For so many of the incredible kids involved with Friends of the Children, pets are a dependable source of comfort and companionship. I'm thrilled to support the Paws-For-A-Cause collaboration that celebrates Friends of the Children youth and their pets to help make sure their pets receive the nutrition and care they deserve in return for the support they offer their families.' Friends of the Children was founded in 1993 and employs full-time, paid professional mentors—called Friends—who commit to each child for 12+ years, no matter what. What began as a small organization in Portland, Ore. has now reached over 16,000 children and family members in 42 locations nationwide. Many of the youth in the program rely on their pets for emotional support, and this collaboration ensures that both the children and their furry friends receive the love and care they need. 'Thanks to Nulo's generous commitment, every pet food purchase becomes an opportunity to uplift a child and their pet,' said Terri Sorensen, National CEO of Friends of the Children. 'We are so grateful for this partnership and for Simone's continued advocacy.' Nulo, known for its high-quality, protein-rich pet food, has long been devoted to prioritizing premium nutrition in support of pet health and wellness. This initiative furthers Nulo's mission to Fuel Incredible—whether in athletes, kids or pets. According to Nulo's founder and CEO, Michael Landa, 'Our pets play such a key part in our mental health and overall support system. When a child is at risk, the love and companionship of a pet can make all the difference. We are so pleased to be partnering with Simone in support of such an amazing organization, doing such great work for children, and in a way that is so aligned with our brand purpose.' Nulo is taking a unique approach to charitable giving by allocating the total program donation through individual gift certificates to children in the program who have pets. Redeemable at participating retailers for Nulo products and essential pet accessories, these certificates will ensure the children and their pets receive what they need, while creating a meaningful experience for the children with their Friends. For more information on how to support Friends of the Children and this initiative, visit or About Friends of the Children Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty by empowering youth who face the greatest obstacles. Through long-term, salaried, professional mentoring—12+ years, no matter what—we create lasting impact for children and families. Operating in 42 locations across the country, our innovative model has earned national recognition and been featured in The New York Times, Associated Press, CNN, USA Today and The L.A. Times. Visit to learn more, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. About Nulo Nulo is on a mission to fuel the inner athlete in every pet. With a wide range of ultra-premium food formats available in more than 6,500 pet specialty retailers nationwide, Nulo ensures pets enjoy the best in digestive and immune health, skin and coat care, mobility, and weight management. Recognized as one of Forbes Magazine's "Most Innovative Brands at Retail," Nulo's offerings are rich in animal-based proteins and low in carbs, crafted to keep pets thriving alongside their human companions. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Austin, TX, Nulo continues to inspire pet parents and athletes alike. For more information, visit Media Contact ### SOURCE: Friends of the Children See release on EZ Newswire
Associated Press
31-01-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Friends of the Children Founder Duncan Campbell Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at National Mentoring Summit
Friends of the Children announced today that its founder, social entrepreneur and philanthropist Duncan Campbell, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Mentoring Summit's Excellence in Mentoring award ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2025. Campbell's visionary leadership and lifelong dedication to improving the lives of children who have the potential to succeed while facing significant barriers has redefined the youth mentoring field in the U.S. 'More than 30 years ago, I focused on the idea that just one long-term relationship can change a child's life for the better,' said Campbell. 'I'm so humbled and honored that Friends of the Children has grown from one chapter with 24 children being served by three professional mentors in Portland, OR, in 1993 to more than 40 sites across the country serving thousands of youth in urban, suburban, rural, and Indigenous communities.' Friends of the Children was founded in 1993 and employs full-time, professional mentors—called Friends—who commit to each child for 12+ years, no matter what. What began as a small organization in Portland, Ore. has now reached over 16,000 children and families in 42 locations nationwide, raising millions of dollars to scale its innovative approach to breaking cycles of generational poverty. It is the first and only long-term, professional mentoring program in the U.S. 'Duncan Campbell's vision and determination have changed the trajectory of thousands of young lives toward hope and opportunities for successful futures,' said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). 'Friends of the Children exemplifies what happens when innovation meets compassion. I am proud to call Duncan my friend. And all of Oregon is proud to call him one of our own.' Under Campbell's leadership, Friends of the Children has demonstrated that fostering a stable, nurturing relationship with a caring adult can effectively address societal challenges like foster care intervention and childhood trauma. 'Duncan Campbell's unwavering commitment to mentoring young Americans has set a standard for organizations nationwide and reminds us that addressing society's biggest challenges begins with kindness, support, and long-term investment in our children,' said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). 'This lifetime achievement award is a testament to the incredible work he has done through Friends of the Children, and I look forward to witnessing the organization's impact for years to come.' Campbell's influence extends beyond Friends of the Children. As a social entrepreneur, he has founded multiple organizations dedicated to the well-being of children and families, including the nationally recognized Children's Institute. His work has earned national recognition, including Civic Venture's Purpose Prize, and his commitment to education has left a legacy at institutions such as the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Portland State University. Campbell also spent more than 30 years in the timberland investment and forest industry as the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Campbell Global timber investment firm. +1 971-201-1214
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Friends of the Children Founder Duncan Campbell Receives Lifetime Achievement Award at National Mentoring Summit
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Friends of the Children announced today that its founder, social entrepreneur and philanthropist Duncan Campbell, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Mentoring Summit's Excellence in Mentoring award ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30, 2025. Campbell's visionary leadership and lifelong dedication to improving the lives of children who have the potential to succeed while facing significant barriers has redefined the youth mentoring field in the U.S. "More than 30 years ago, I focused on the idea that just one long-term relationship can change a child's life for the better," said Campbell. "I'm so humbled and honored that Friends of the Children has grown from one chapter with 24 children being served by three professional mentors in Portland, OR, in 1993 to more than 40 sites across the country serving thousands of youth in urban, suburban, rural, and Indigenous communities." Friends of the Children was founded in 1993 and employs full-time, professional mentors—called Friends—who commit to each child for 12+ years, no matter what. What began as a small organization in Portland, Ore. has now reached over 16,000 children and families in 42 locations nationwide, raising millions of dollars to scale its innovative approach to breaking cycles of generational poverty. It is the first and only long-term, professional mentoring program in the U.S. "Duncan Campbell's vision and determination have changed the trajectory of thousands of young lives toward hope and opportunities for successful futures," said U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). "Friends of the Children exemplifies what happens when innovation meets compassion. I am proud to call Duncan my friend. And all of Oregon is proud to call him one of our own." Under Campbell's leadership, Friends of the Children has demonstrated that fostering a stable, nurturing relationship with a caring adult can effectively address societal challenges like foster care intervention and childhood trauma. "Duncan Campbell's unwavering commitment to mentoring young Americans has set a standard for organizations nationwide and reminds us that addressing society's biggest challenges begins with kindness, support, and long-term investment in our children," said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas). "This lifetime achievement award is a testament to the incredible work he has done through Friends of the Children, and I look forward to witnessing the organization's impact for years to come." Campbell's influence extends beyond Friends of the Children. As a social entrepreneur, he has founded multiple organizations dedicated to the well-being of children and families, including the nationally recognized Children's Institute. His work has earned national recognition, including Civic Venture's Purpose Prize, and his commitment to education has left a legacy at institutions such as the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, and Portland State University. Campbell also spent more than 30 years in the timberland investment and forest industry as the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Campbell Global timber investment firm. Read the full press release here and view a digital media kit with photos, headshot and bio of Duncan Campbell here. CONTACT: Ariane Le Chevallierariane@ 971-201-1214 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Friends of the Children
