Human vs Perfect with Laurie Hernandez

Samantha Peszek is on a mission to connect athletes, coaches, and parents with the best resources the gymnastics world has to offer. Utilizing Samantha’s gymnastics network, (she really does have cool friends) guests will be experts in their field and shed a light on hot topics, tips for improvement, and inspiration. Listeners will have the opportunity to learn from some of the sport’s greats, participate in giveaways, and apply relevant tips to everyday life, in and out of the gym.

Laurie Hernandez is a 2016 Olympic gold medalist who has also won an Olympic silver medal on beam, won season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, was featured on an episode of Stuck in the Middle, and is only 18 years old. At 16, Laurie became the youngest winner of Dancing with the Stars. She has also made appearances on Sesame Street, Celebrity Family Feud, and will be co-hosting American Ninja Warrior Junior. In addition, Laurie is a New York Times Best-Selling Author of her book, I Got This: To Gold and Beyond. After competing in the Olympics, Laurie made the decision to become a professional athlete.

In this episode, Laurie speaks about identity, finding who you are as a person, and allowing yourself to feel different emotions as a human being. She notes that it’s okay to not always have to keep a bubbly facade and it’s important to embrace your true feelings. Laurie explains how she overcame her injuries, came back stronger, and even details why she almost quit the Olympics five months prior to the competition due to an injury. To Laurie, the most important key to overcome mental blocks is communication and communication is a factor Laurie looks for in all aspects of life.

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Key Takeaways

• Sam’s first memory of Laurie
• Why it’s important for Sam and Laurie to say yes for pictures and conversations to kids
• When did Laurie decide she wanted to go to the Olympics
• Laurie’s biggest obstacle growing up
• Some good beam tips Laurie has for listeners
• When did Laurie realize she was capable of competing in the Olympics
• Why Laurie would visualize her routine while out on injury
• Laurie tells a funny story from the Olympics
• What were the best non-gymnastic experiences Laurie had while in Rio
• Why Laurie almost quit the Olympics
• Why and how did Laurie go professional after the Olympics
• Is there any part of Laurie that wishes she did college gymnastics
• Some highlights Laurie has gotten to do since competing in the Olympics
• What are the unglamorous parts of being a busy star
• Some things Laurie wants to do that she hasn’t done yet
• Sometimes we’re a little more human than we think and we’re allowed to make mistakes
• It was hard to juggle high school, gymnastics, and traveling
• What bugged Laurie about having to always keep a bubbly demeanor
• What are some of Laurie’s pet peeves
• You are more than just your title
• What workouts and health regimens Laurie loves
• What does the “Laurie” that Laurie wants people to know looks like
• Laurie’s advice on how you can get one percent better each day
• What Laurie looks for in a guy

Tweetable Quotes

It wasn’t until I hit nine years old when I was like, “Oh snap! The Olympics could be a really cool possibility. I think I want to work towards that.”

The largest tip for overcoming mental blocks or being uncomfortable in general is communication.

Within every single person there’s a story of how they got to where they are today.

When you classify yourself as “deep down in the trenches” nobody’s going to pull you up except for yourself.

I’m big on energy. The louder the energy is around me, the louder my energy is.

Right after the Olympics I got to do Dancing with the Stars which was amazing! It was new and exciting and sometimes it was hard and painful but it was something that I loved.

I’m still growing and I love it. I’m just going to embrace that that I’m still growing, evolving, learning to communicate, learning different things that I like, and I’m still going to be a human being.

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