Laurie Hernandez: From Olympic Gold to Mental Health Advocate and Beyond

Laurie Hernandez captured hearts worldwide with her talent, charisma, and infectious joy at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she won gold in the team event and silver on the balance beam. But her journey extends far beyond the gymnastics mat. Hernandez has seamlessly transitioned into various roles, using her platform to advocate for mental health, pursue her passion for acting, and inspire young people. This article explores Laurie Hernandez's multifaceted career, from her early days in gymnastics to her current endeavors in entertainment and advocacy.

A Gymnastics Prodigy

Laurie Hernandez was born on June 9, 2000, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to Puerto Rican parents, Wanda and Anthony Hernández. Her gymnastics journey began at the age of five when she watched a gymnast performing flips on the balance beam on television. After testing high in basic skills and physical abilities, at the age of nine, she was invited to attend development camps sponsored by USA Gymnastics. Hernandez began competing in national competitions at the junior level in 2012.

Rising Through the Ranks

Hernandez quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing her talent and dedication. Her early achievements include:

1st-AA, UB; 2nd-FX; 3rd-VT(T), BB (Jr. Classic, Chicago, Ill.)
1st-AA, VT, UB; 3rd-BB, FX(T) (Jr. P&G Championships, Hartford, Conn.)
2nd-AA, UB, FX; 3rd-BB(T); 5th-VT (Jr. Classic, Chicago, Ill.)
1st-FX; 6th-AA; 8th-VT, UB (Jr. Parkettes Invitational, Allentown, PA)
1st-FX; 6th-AA; 7th-BB (Jr. Pacific Rim Championships, Everett, Wash.)
1st-Team, AA, UB, FX (Jr.

In 2016, Hernandez moved to the senior elite level of competitive gymnastics. She placed third in the all-around at the national championships that year. In addition, she won the bronze medal in the uneven bars and the balance beam and tied for the bronze in the floor exercise. At the Olympic trials, she placed second behind Simone Biles in the all-around. Hernandez also won the balance beam and took third in the floor exercise.

The "Final Five" and Olympic Glory

At 16 years old, Hernandez was the youngest member of the "Final Five," the U.S. women's gymnastics team at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She was also the only athlete selected to the team who was competing in her first year as a senior-level gymnast and the first U.S. Latina gymnast to qualify for the Olympics.

Hernandez and her teammates Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, and Madison Kocian, dubbed the “Final Five,” won the women’s artistic gymnastics team gold medal by more than eight points over their nearest competitors, Russia. In the individual balance beam event, Hernandez was nearly flawless, capturing the silver medal.

Beyond the Beam: A Multifaceted Career

After the Rio Olympics, Laurie Hernandez took a break from gymnastics and explored other avenues, showcasing her versatility and charisma.

Dancing with the Stars Champion

In 2016, Hernandez appeared on season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, where she partnered with Val Chmerkovskiy. Their dynamic performances and undeniable chemistry captivated audiences, leading them to victory. At just 16 years old, Hernandez became the show's youngest winner.

Author and Advocate

Hernandez has also made her mark as an author. In 2017, she chronicled her life in the memoir I Got This: To Gold and Beyond, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. In 2018, she released a children’s picture book titled She’s Got This, which also made the New York Times bestseller list.

Laurie has used her platform to advocate for mental health and girl’s and women’s empowerment throughout her career. She consistently uses her social media platforms to call for the protection of children's rights above issues of party and politics.

Speaking on a panel for Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management, Laurie discussed how women and girls are often disproportionately impacted by global crises and ways to address the inequities.

As a keynote speaker at the Key Clubs International Convention in Atlanta in July 2024, she spoke to over 500 students about service, leadership, her experiences as an Olympic athlete and her trip with UNICEF to Panama. In December 2025, Laurie hosted the UNICEF Gala, an annual fundraising event held in New York City. And in June 2025, she joined UNICEF USA in advocating for every child's right to play at the TST-The Soccer Tournament, San Antonio Spurs Chris Paul’s high-profile event in North Carolina, spending time in the UNICEF Kids Zone.

UNICEF Ambassador

Laurie Hernandez is a dedicated UNICEF Ambassador advocating for the rights of children. She has visited communities like Lajas Blancas in Panama, spending time with children at UNICEF-established child-friendly spaces, where they can rest, play, and simply be kids. She also visited a self-care space for women and adolescents, where emotional and psychosocial well-being is prioritized with a gender approach.

Media Personality

Laurie Hernandez’s influence goes beyond the gymnastics mat and mental health advocacy. She has appeared in a wide range of media outlets, including People Magazine, NBC, Teen Vogue, USA Today, The New York Times, Hoda & Kathy Lee, and Good Morning America. Laurie’s charming personality and insight have earned her spots on popular TV shows such as The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Ellen Show. She has also made appearances on Wild N’ Out, Seventeen Latin, and Univision. She has been a gymnastics analyst for NBC since the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and will continue through Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Her live commentary at the 2024 Olympics in Paris garnered her rapturous praise from the entertainment community and viewers.

A Voice for Mental Health

Laurie Hernandez combines athletic excellence with a strong commitment to mental health advocacy. As an Olympic gymnast speaker on mental health, she challenges audiences to rethink the pressures placed on young athletes and emphasizes the importance of emotional and psychological well-being. As an Olympic gymnast speaker on mental health, Laurie regularly shares her journey and struggles with mental wellness. Her openness has made her a trusted voice in the mental health space, particularly for athletes facing similar challenges. Laurie partners with various organizations to raise awareness and break the stigma surrounding mental health. In her motivational talks, she encourages young people to embrace their authenticity, seek help when needed, and not be afraid to prioritize mental wellness.

During her hour on stage, the Olympic medal-winning gymnast Laurie Hernandez spoke to a capacity crowd in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union’s Great Hall about her longtime struggles with crippling anxiety, depression and imposter syndrome. Hernandez’s Latinx Heritage Month keynote talk aligned perfectly with this year’s theme - “Vivir Mi Vida,” or “Live My Life” - which encourages students and others to express their authentic selves.

In 2020 Hernandez opened up about emotional abuse she had faced from her former coach, Maggie Haney, during the 11 years she had participated in gymnastics. Haney was subsequently suspended from coaching for eight years.

Education and Future Aspirations

In 2022, Laurie began studying drama at NYU Tisch School of the Arts in NYC, as acting and screenwriting are her future career ambitions. In March, 2026, she will have her Broadway debut in & Juliet. Throughout the year, she travels nationwide speaking on college campuses about following one’s passion in life; and is a fierce advocate for prioritizing Mental Health by learning to expand understanding and finding ways to support ourselves, family and friends.

That Hernandez is studying drama comes as no surprise to those who have followed her for years. The student aspect of her life includes living in Brooklyn with her partner, former trampoline gymnast Charlotte Drury. Their relationship is a modern classic: “We slid into each other’s DMs on Instagram,” Hernandez says. “I will say that we’re doing really well, and Brooklyn has been awesome for both of us,” said Hernandez.

Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Authenticity

Laurie Hernandez's journey has not been without its challenges. She has openly discussed her struggles with anxiety, depression, and imposter syndrome. In 2014, while chasing her Olympic dream, she was sidelined for a couple months for a broken growth plate in her wrist. She finally got her cast removed and was preparing to compete again when she landed wrong during a skill on the vault. She dislocated her knee, tore a tendon and had to get surgery. That sidelined her again, this time for the rest of the year.

“There’s something really humiliating about literally sitting in the corner of the practice and watching all your friends and teammates do the thing that you want to do,” she said. “It’s like FOMO to the highest degree.”

Instead of trying to avoid the thoughts of inadequacy or “power through” the bad feelings, she learned to live with them. “When imposter syndrome hits, you have to look it in the eyes and say, ‘I see that you’re there, but I’m not going to push away. You sit as long as you want,’” she said. “Things only grow if you let them, and they grow bigger when you try to push them away.”

Hernandez said it took years of time away from gymnastics, therapy, journaling and talking to people to reach the point where she can be honest and accepting of who she is.

When you feel burned out, take a break, she said. When people call her fearless, she pushes back. “I hate being called ‘fearless,’ because it’s false. I am anxious, and I am scared,” she said. “What I do like is brave.”

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