Gold and silver winning Olympic gymnast, Dancing with the Stars champion, and philanthropist Laurie Hernandez sat in front of about 120 attendees at the University of Iowa tonight to deliver a lecture, titled “I’ve Got This.”
Attendees filled the International Ballroom at the Iowa Memorial Union to hear Hernandez speak. Many came over an hour prior to secure a good seat.
Following her silver and gold victories at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Hernandez began traveling to college campuses nationwide to discuss the importance of following one’s passions. She has spoken at numerous universities, including Cornell University, Kean University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The hour-long lecture began with a recount of Hernandez’s gymnastics journey, beginning with low placements in her early teens and leading to her victory in the 2016 Olympics.
Hernandez emphasized the importance of prioritizing mental health and positive self-talk, and said she had felt performance anxiety as a gymnast.
“When I talked to someone about it, they reminded me that just because my body was giving me all these signals, didn’t mean that it was proof that I wouldn’t do well,” Hernandez said.
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Hernandez said she created a “toolbox” of techniques to manage her stress and taught breathing exercises to the crowd.
She has continued to utilize this“toolbox” throughout her college career at New York University, where she is studying drama with a minor in creative writing. She graduates in May.
She made her Broadway debut on March 17 in “& Juliet” at the Sondheim Theatre in New York, following her ambitions of becoming an actor and screenwriter.
“Gymnastics has a very low shelf life, as you can only do it for so long. Seeing her being as accomplished as she was in gymnastics, but then seeing her moving on, I think it’s really inspirational to see that you can still progress in life,” Lensch said.
Allie Lensch, a fourth-year UI student, was a competitive gymnast for 13 years and remembers watching Hernandez compete in 2016. She said Hernandez is an influential figure for her both as an athlete and a student.
“I’m really excited that I have the opportunity to see her,” Lensch said. “Laurie has always been such an inspirational athlete, especially seeing her moving from gymnastics to acting, writing, and just being very creative. I love seeing that.”
Ainsley Menning, a fourth-year UI student and member of the UI Lecture Committee, pitched the idea of Hernandez coming to the UI to speak.
“I thought it would be great to hear from someone our own age, and it would be a lot more relatable,” Menning said. “You know, we are all kind of going through that phase in our life of “what’s next,” and she’s done that several times.”
Hernandez encouraged the audience to treat themselves with respect and listen to their mind and body.
“Even standing in front of you, I still get a little anxious. But everything is okay because I’m paying attention. I encourage all of you to pay attention,” Hernandez said. “If you feel burnt out, rest. Remember that you’re not alone.”
