Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMeet Laurie HernandezWhy Laurie Hernandez Is Mentally StrongWhat You’ll Hear on the ShowWhat You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental StrengthQuotes From LaurieMore About the Podcast

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Meet Laurie Hernandez

Why Laurie Hernandez Is Mentally Strong

What You’ll Hear on the Show

What You’ll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength

Quotes From Laurie

More About the Podcast

Close

OnThe Verywell Mind Podcast, Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews experts, authors, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life.

Laurie Hernadez is an Olympic gymnast. In 2016, she won a gold medal for the team event and a silver medal on the balance beam.

After the Olympics, she took some time off from gymnastics and appeared on Dancing with Stars, which she won. She starred in an animated series on Nickelodeon called, Middle School Moguls. She’s also a New York Times bestselling author.

She returned to gymnastics in 2018 with the hope of going to the Olympics. But just a few days before we recorded this episode, she got injured in competition and learned she would not be able to compete.

Although Laurie is known for her giant smile (she’s been dubbed “the human emoji”), she’s been open about the stress she’s faced as a gymnast.

She’s even come forward to talk about being diagnosed withdepression and ADHD. She takes an antidepressant now and she shares how it has helped her feel a lot better.

Laurie chose to make her story public even though she didn’t have to.

She also partnered with Trulicity, a type 2 diabetes medication, as she chose to step forward and talk about her father’s experiences with managing his blood sugar.

Many people talk about their struggles once they’re feeling much better. But Laurie chooses to talk about her experiences as her mental health treatment continues to unfold.

Laurie is proof that anyone can be susceptible to a mental health issue. Despite being a successful athlete and growing up with a mother who is a therapist, she has experienced depression and ADHD.

Mental health issues aren’t a sign of weakness. Many strong, self-disciplined individuals develop mental health issues.

It certainly takes strength to acknowledge and face mental health issues; however, asking for help and seeking treatment requires courage. It’s much easier to ignore problems than it is to address them head-on.

How to Face Your Fears When You Want to Tackle Them Head-On

Laurie HernandezHonesty with your emotions and with your mental health is the most important thing. And if you’re willing to share that with other people, it makes the burden so much lighter.

Laurie Hernandez

Honesty with your emotions and with your mental health is the most important thing. And if you’re willing to share that with other people, it makes the burden so much lighter.

How Social Support Contributes to Psychological Health

The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, pleaseleave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.

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