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As Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas chases a history-making attempt to win gold again at the 2016 Rio Olympics, she leans on her family for support and guidance.
In an exclusive first look at the first episode of Douglas' new docu-series, Douglas Family Gold, viewers get an inside glimpse into the champion's relationship with her involved momager, Natalie Hawkins, and three protective siblings, Arielle Hawkins, Joy Douglas and Jonathan Douglas.
"[My mom] told me that it's the times that I have fallen and gotten back up that are the moments that inspire her the most," Gabby, 20, tells PEOPLE. "She always tells me that no matter what the outcome is, I am a champion in her eyes."
The young Olympian, who hopes to bring home gold for her team and in the individual all-around in Rio, says her relationship with her siblings – as seen on the show – is incredibly "supportive."
"They have sacrificed so much for my career," she says. "They encourage me, give me great advice and make me laugh!"
Gabby grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, but bid farewell to her family when she was 14, relocating to West Des Moines, Iowa, to train with Chinese coach Liang Chow – and live with a family she had never met.
In an exclusive first look at the first episode of Douglas' new docu-series, Douglas Family Gold, viewers get an inside glimpse into the champion's relationship with her involved momager, Natalie Hawkins, and three protective siblings, Arielle Hawkins, Joy Douglas and Jonathan Douglas.
"[My mom] told me that it's the times that I have fallen and gotten back up that are the moments that inspire her the most," Gabby, 20, tells PEOPLE. "She always tells me that no matter what the outcome is, I am a champion in her eyes."
The young Olympian, who hopes to bring home gold for her team and in the individual all-around in Rio, says her relationship with her siblings – as seen on the show – is incredibly "supportive."
"They have sacrificed so much for my career," she says. "They encourage me, give me great advice and make me laugh!"
Gabby grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, but bid farewell to her family when she was 14, relocating to West Des Moines, Iowa, to train with Chinese coach Liang Chow – and live with a family she had never met.
Natalie wasn't sure it was the right move. The single mother of four, who was facing financial instability, didn't like the idea of having to support her daughter from afar.
"We had to be like, Mom, do this, please, please, please, and it was extra hard because she's a mama bear and she's so protective. So we made a pros-and-cons list. Making the Olympics was a pro. Missing her was a huge, huge con," Arielle told The New York Times in 2012.
In the next two years, Gabby only saw her mother four times.
The first episode of Douglas Family Gold follows Gabby in the weeks prior to the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, as she trains in Ohio – and prepares to compete against rival (and bestie!) Simone Biles.
"I just want you to have fun, but you love to be on that podium!" mom Natalie, who lives in Los Angeles, tells her daughter on a video call before the competition.
"I do and I'm going to be on it!" says Gabby.
She pauses and adds, "I'm excited to be with all of you because I don't like being separated!"
"We had to be like, Mom, do this, please, please, please, and it was extra hard because she's a mama bear and she's so protective. So we made a pros-and-cons list. Making the Olympics was a pro. Missing her was a huge, huge con," Arielle told The New York Times in 2012.
In the next two years, Gabby only saw her mother four times.
The first episode of Douglas Family Gold follows Gabby in the weeks prior to the 2015 P&G Gymnastics Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, as she trains in Ohio – and prepares to compete against rival (and bestie!) Simone Biles.
"I just want you to have fun, but you love to be on that podium!" mom Natalie, who lives in Los Angeles, tells her daughter on a video call before the competition.
"I do and I'm going to be on it!" says Gabby.
She pauses and adds, "I'm excited to be with all of you because I don't like being separated!"
As the summer Games approach and training gets more intense, Gabby says she likes to think about her career-making performance at the 2012 London Olympics.
"I am always visualizing myself competing my skills to the best of my abilities!" she tells PEOPLE.
The champion sticks to eating "mostly lean protein, fresh veggies and fruits," when she is in training. And the foods she misses the most?
"Pizza and gelato!" she says.
The Douglas family worked closely with USA Gymnastics on the series, and USAG national team coordinator Marta Karolyi even makes a cameo appearance.
"Marta will ultimately pick the national team," Gabby says of the legendary coach. "Marta sees everything!"
And the Olympian insists that she couldn't achieve what she does in the gym if it wasn't for her loved ones.
"When I fall, it's my family that picks me up," says Douglas.
Douglas Family Gold premieres May 25 at 10 p.m. ET on Oxygen.
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