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. Follow us here:   / theline.show     / drkristenholmes   Follow Cécile and the GymDogs here:   / cecilelandi     / ugagymnastics   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/ SYNC ID: MB01OVDPOG3ZRS2 MB01WAR2DECFCPR MB01UG9IZ6BEZAE