For months now, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles has made headlines for her relationship with fellow athlete Jonathan Owens.
The two live together in Texas, and while Owens is not able to attend the Tokyo Olympics due to Covid restrictions, he is undoubtedly cheering Biles on from halfway across the world.
Prior to dating Owens, Biles dated Stacey Ervin.
The couple parted ways in March 2020 after nearly three years together.
But what else do we know about Biles’ ex? Read on to find out.
1. Ervin Is a Director & Head Coach at a Gymnastics Center in Texas
Ervin, a gymnast, graduated from the University of Michigan in 2015, where he received his BA in Psychology. He was part of the university’s gymnastics team and went on to be part of the US national gymnastics team in 2013. Ervin was a four-time all-American, according to E! Online, and won back-to-back NCAA and Big Ten championships with his teammates.
According to his LinkedIn, Ervin previously worked as the director and head coach at Men’s Gymnastics Program at World Champions Center.
Prior to working at World Champions Center, Ervin was a customer success manager at Oracle in Austin. The athlete’s LinkedIn also boasts years of volunteer experience with Mott’s Children Health Center, where Ervin was a student-athlete visitor.
These days, the athlete is a tumble monkey at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
2. Biles Admitted That They Do Not Come First in One Another’s Lives Because of Their Devotion to the Sport
Biles and Ervin Jr. went public with their romance in August 2017, which Biles previously said was a nerve-racking experience. “I feel like we’re a little bit nervous to put it out there because everyone has their own opinions,” Biles told AOL. “It is different dating in the public eye, but I think we just do us.”
In a candid interview with People, Biles said she and Ervin are realistic about the amount of time they spend together.
“He’s an elite athlete and he’s traveled and stuff, so he understands it… We already know in each other’s lives we don’t come first, and that’s okay with the both of us. So we do what we need to do, and then when we come together it’s fine.”
In November, Biles returned to full-time training for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Speaking to NBC Sports in 2019, she said, “It’s going to be rough… But the muscle memory is there because I’ve come and I’ve played in the gym. All of my skills are basically still there. There are a couple of skills, like on [balance] beam, that I haven’t done yet, like a dismount, because why would I just chuck that? There’s no way. And I haven’t vaulted since the Olympics.”
3. They Met Three Years Before They Started Dating
Biles and Ervin met three years before they started dating.
According to People, the duo first connected at the P&G Gymnastics Championships. Biles once told Ervin he was “cute” over Snapchat, and the couple continued to remain friends for years. In an interview with ET while she was part of Dancing with the Stars, Biles revealed that because of gymnastics, she never quite had time for a boyfriend.
“I have never had a boyfriend in my life,” she told the outlet last April. “At 20 years old I feel like you should have gone through those things and gone on dates. I have been on like, maybe one proper date.”
In 2011, Ervin lost his mother to Cutaneous T cell lymphoma, he explained in an applicant video for American Ninja Warrior. “She was my largest supporter, and her passing really taught me how to handle everything. And to rely on my friends and family and to push them to be their best while they’re pushing me to be my best.”
4. He Is a 2015 US Floor Exercise Bronze Medalist
Ervin was a competitive gymnast for 17 years. According to USA Gymnastics, he was a 2015 US floor exercise bronze medalist and NCAA floor exercise bronze medalist.
In 2012, he was an NCAA floor exercise bronze medalist.
5. He Competed on ‘American Ninja Warrior’
In 2017, Ervin made an appearance on “American Ninja Warrior”.
In his applicant video for the show, Ervin explained that he is originally from Michigan and, as of the time of his application video, resided in Texas. “Gymnastics has taught me so many lessons, and it’s really pushed me to be better in every aspect.”
He continued, “I want to show people you can accomplish your goals if you work hard for it and you do everything you can to be your best self.”