Laurie Hernandez

Laurie Hernandez Speaker Biography

Olympic Gold Medalist, NBC Sports Analyst, Mental Health Advocate, Actress & New York Times Bestselling Author

Laurie Hernandez is one of America’s most recognizable Olympic champions and an inspiring keynote speaker whose message of resilience, mental wellness, confidence, and perseverance resonates with audiences of every generation. After capturing Gold and Silver medals as a member of the legendary “Final Five” at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, Laurie became one of the most beloved athletes in the world. Today, she is an NBC Sports gymnastics analyst, actress, mental health advocate, and two-time New York Times bestselling author who empowers organizations to prioritize well-being while striving for excellence.

Keynote Speaker Laurie Hernandez at a Glance

• Olympic Gold and Silver Medal-winning gymnast and member of the historic “Final Five” at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
• NBC Sports and Peacock gymnastics analyst, actress, and media personality bringing expert insight to Olympic coverage and major sporting events.
• New York Times bestselling author, Dancing with the Stars champion, and recipient of Mattel’s prestigious “Shero” Barbie honoring women who inspire the next generation.
• Inspiring keynote speaker who helps audiences build resilience, confidence, mental wellness, leadership, and peak performance through authentic storytelling and practical life lessons.

Olympic Champion and Trailblazing Gymnast

Laurie Hernandez made history as the first U.S.-born Latina of Puerto Rican heritage to compete for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics Team since 1984. At just 16 years old, she helped lead Team USA to a Gold Medal at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games while also earning an individual Silver Medal on the balance beam. Known for her infectious smile, dynamic performances, and unwavering determination, Laurie quickly became one of the breakout stars of the Olympics. Her success inspired millions of young athletes while demonstrating that confidence, preparation, and resilience can overcome even the highest levels of competitive pressure.

Mental Health Advocate and Voice for Authentic Leadership

While Laurie achieved extraordinary success at a young age, she has been equally open about the challenges elite athletes face behind the scenes. Through candid conversations about anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and emotional well-being, she has become one of sports’ most respected advocates for mental health awareness. Her keynote presentations encourage audiences to redefine success, embrace vulnerability, and recognize that caring for mental health is essential for sustained high performance. Laurie shares practical lessons on resilience, self-confidence, overcoming setbacks, and developing healthy habits that allow individuals and teams to thrive under pressure. Her message resonates with corporations, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, women’s leadership conferences, and youth organizations seeking to build stronger, healthier, and more resilient cultures.

Award-Winning Broadcaster, Actress, and Media Personality

Following her Olympic success, Laurie captured another national title by winning Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars, becoming one of the youngest champions in the show’s history. She has since built an impressive broadcasting career as a gymnastics analyst for NBC Sports, Peacock, and the Olympic Channel, covering the Tokyo and Paris Olympic Games while earning praise for her thoughtful commentary and deep understanding of the sport. Laurie has also expanded into acting, voice acting, and television hosting, including co-hosting American Ninja Warrior Junior and appearing across numerous television programs and media outlets, including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Good Morning America, People, Teen Vogue, The New York Times, and USA Today.

Bestselling Author and Positive Role Model

Laurie is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir I Got This: To Gold and Beyond, which chronicles her remarkable journey from aspiring gymnast to Olympic champion while sharing lessons about perseverance, family, and believing in yourself. She followed with the bestselling children’s book She’s Got This, encouraging young readers to develop confidence, embrace challenges, and pursue their dreams with courage. Recognized as an outstanding role model, Mattel honored Laurie with her own “Shero” Barbie, celebrating women who inspire girls to imagine limitless possibilities.

Why Organizations Book Laurie Hernandez

Laurie Hernandez delivers an engaging, relatable, and uplifting keynote that connects with audiences across generations. Drawing from experiences in elite athletics, national television, media, and personal growth, she shares actionable strategies for developing resilience, managing pressure, embracing authenticity, and achieving peak performance without sacrificing well-being. Her presentations are ideal for leadership conferences, healthcare organizations, educational institutions, women’s events, youth leadership programs, corporate meetings, and association conferences looking for a speaker who combines world-class achievement with warmth, humor, and genuine authenticity. Whether discussing Olympic competition, overcoming adversity, or prioritizing mental wellness, Laurie Hernandez leaves audiences inspired to pursue excellence while taking care of themselves and those around them.