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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00:00 Introduction
02:26 Cécile's Career as an Elite Gymnast
04:55 Why Gymnasts Used to Be “Old” at 16
07:32 Representing France in the 1996 Olympics
10:13 The Sacrifices Cécile Made for Gymnastics
11:44 Leaving France to Pursue a Coaching Dream
14:45 The Unexpected Phone Call to Become Simone Biles' Coach
18:38 The Coaching Approach Simone Needed
20:27 Building Trust With Your Athletes
22:49 How Simone Mastered the Yurchenko Double Pike Vault
26:27 Simone Biles, the 2020 Olympics, and the Twisties
36:17 Behind the Scenes of Simone's 2024 Comeback
42:11 Will Simone Biles Compete in the 2028 Olympics?
42:40 Hot Spring Spas Ad
43:40 Cécile’s Approach for a New Type of Gymnastics Coaching
47:55 The Challenge of Coaching the World's Best Gymnasts
49:53 How to Block Out Noise and Stay Focused
52:34 A New Chapter: Coaching Gymnastics at the University of Georgia
53:27 The GymDogs' Upcoming 2026 Season
56:10 Balancing Elite and NCAA Gymnasts
58:11 Is the NCAA Extending Gymnasts' Careers?
01:01:16 Jordan Chiles' Bronze Medal Controversy
01:05:20 Will This be Enough to Save Jordan Chiles' Bronze?
01:07:02 WHOOP Ad
01:08:03 Cécile’s Olympic Games Family Legacy
01:16:00 How Athletes Can Step Over Their Own Line
01:19:50 Kristen Breaks Down the Conversation

Sponsored by:
Hot Spring Spas - https://hotspring.com/kristen
WHOOP - https://join.whoop.com/gb/en/SCIENCE/

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