HOUSTON – Simone Biles wowed the world in Rio, becoming the darling of the 2016 Olympic Games.
In the process, she won five medals and became America's most decorated gymnast ever.
Channel 2's Keith Garvin sat down with Biles in her first one-on-one interview in Houston since Rio.
"Rio was honestly just a dream come true," says Biles. "I felt like the whole entire time we were there everything that kept happening just kept getting better and better."
Biles was given the honor of being the country's flag bearer for the closing ceremony. Since then, her life has become a whirlwind -- making appearances, shooting television and magazine ads -- all the while performing in a two month nationwide tour with other gymnastics champions.
They included a September stop here in Houston.
"One day I'm in L.A., the next day or even that night I fly to New York," Biles says. "Then on tour we had 36 cities, 38 shows, and we started on the West Coast. Ended up on the East Coast. So it was quite the journey, it's been fun though."
Somehow Biles also found time to co-author her first book.
In "Courage To Soar" she chronicles her rise to becoming what many are calling the best gymnast in the sport's history.
The 4 feet 9 inch tall phenomenon is hoping her life story is one of encouragement.
"I hope that I inspire kids to know that whether you're a professional, or an elite athlete that you can really start from anywhere," Biles says. "As long as you dream big you can do anything in whatever sport or career you choose to do."
In Rio, we got to spend time with Simone's parents Nellie and Ron.
We found that life has changed for the entire family. Ironically, the Bileses have had little time to spend together since Rio -- which is one of the reasons Simone is happy to be spending this Thanksgiving at home.
"I'm most thankful for family time just because this year has been such a whirlwind," she says. "I haven't got to spend that much time with my family. They pop up here and there and every time we're together is a moment that I cherish. But it hasn't been like, I'm used to, so I'm most thankful for family time."
Biles announced earlier this month that she will compete in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
She says that in some ways she expects the experience to be tougher than Rio because she will be four years older and the training will be tougher on her body.
But she says she believes one advantage will be knowing what to expect.