Gabby Douglas began formal gymnastics training when she was six years old. Years later, at only 14, she left her family and hometown of Virginia Beach to move to Des Moines, Iowa where she would begin elite training in pursuit of her Olympic dreams. Two years later, Gabrielle was selected as a member of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team to compete in the 2012 Olympics in London. At the Summer Games, Gabby became the first African American woman to win an Olympic gold medal in the All-Around event. Team USA went on to win the gold medal in the team competition, making Gabrielle the first American gymnast to win gold in both the All-Around and Team competitions at the same Olympics.
After the London Games, Gabby was one of the most influential female athletes in the world and was at the center of pop culture. She made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and was featured in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.