Simone Biles’ Coach: The Winning Formula Behind History's Greatest Gymnast

Cécile Canqueteau-Landi is the world-renowned coach behind the greatest gymnast of all time: Simone Biles. A former Olympian herself, Cécile has spent over 40 years inside the intense, high-stakes world of elite gymnastics. After guiding stars like Biles and Jordan Chiles to international success, she’s now leading the University of Georgia’s program into a bold new chapter.

In this fascinating conversation with Dr. Kristen Holmes, Cécile pulls back the curtain on what it takes to coach gymnastics at the highest level and how the sport is finally evolving:

How Simone Biles conquered the historic Yurchenko Double Pike Vault

The hidden challenges of coaching the world’s most decorated gymnast

What’s really behind the NCAA gymnastics boom

The exact moment she knew Simone couldn’t compete in Tokyo

Why gymnastics coaching had to change and how it finally is

The real story behind Jordan Chiles’ bronze medal controversy

Why today’s gymnasts are competing longer, stronger, and freer

The Olympic legacy that runs deep in Cécile’s own family

But this episode isn’t just about gymnastics. It’s a conversation about resilience, reinvention, and what it takes to set your own bar—and keep raising it.

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Follow Cécile and the GymDogs here:

https://www.instagram.com/cecilelandi

https://www.instagram.com/ugagymnastics

(00:00) Introduction

(02:25) Cécile's Career as an Elite Gymnast

(04:54) Why Gymnasts Used to Be “Old” at 16

(07:30) Representing France in the 1996 Olympics

(10:12) The Sacrifices Cécile Made for Gymnastics

(11:43) Leaving France to Pursue a Coaching Dream

(14:43) The Unexpected Phone Call to Become Simone Biles' Coach

(18:36) The Coaching Approach Simone Needed

(20:26) Building Trust With Your Athletes

(22:47) How Simone Mastered the Yurchenko Double Pike Vault

(26:26) Simone Biles, the 2020 Olympics, and the Twisties

(36:16) Behind the Scenes of Simone's 2024 Comeback

(42:09) Will Simone Biles Compete in the 2028 Olympics?

(42:38) Hot Spring Spas Ad

(43:39) Cécile’s Approach for a New Type of Gymnastics Coaching

(47:53) The Challenge of Coaching the World's Best Gymnasts

(52:33) A New Chapter: Coaching Gymnastics at the University of Georgia

(56:09) Balancing Elite and NCAA Gymnasts

(58:09) Is the NCAA Extending Gymnasts' Careers?

(01:01:15) Jordan Chiles' Bronze Medal Controversy

(01:05:19) Will This be Enough to Save Jordan Chiles' Bronze?

(01:07:00) WHOOP Ad

(01:08:02) Cécile’s Olympic Games Family Legacy

(01:15:59) How Athletes Can Step Over Their Own Line

(01:19:49) Kristen Breaks Down the Conversation

Sponsored by:

Hot Spring Spas - https://hotspring.com/kristen

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