Gold Medal Mindset
A Conversation with Olympic Gold Medalists Aly Raisman & Laurie Hernandez
Join the Student Government Association, Campus Mental Health Services, and the Dean of Students Office for an engaging and empowering event as we welcome two remarkable women to campus to share their stories of leadership, advocacy, and inspiration.
Guests who bring a toiletry donation will receive a complimentary Day of Service t-shirt, courtesy of the Office of Community and Civic Engagement.
Aly Raisman:
Aly Raisman, team captain of the gold medal winning USA Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, is one of the most decorated American gymnasts of all-time. The most decorated U.S. gymnast at the 2012 Games, Raisman captured the hearts of millions as she became the first American to win gold on the floor exercise and then cemented her status as an American gymnastics legend in 2016 as she helped guide the team to gold and earned a silver medal in the All-Around competition.
A leader on and off the floor, Raisman uses her platform to help normalize the conversation around mental health, encourage positive body image and promote the importance of self-care. She is a two-time New York Times best-selling author of her memoir, Fierce, and her children's book, From My Head to My Toes. Raisman is an on-air analyst for ESPN's college gymnastics broadcast and a sought-after brand ambassador and keynote speaker. Inspired by an army of survivors, Raisman is a leading advocate for systemic change in the sport of gymnastics and the eradication of sexual abuse.
Laurie Hernandez:
Laurie Hernandez first captured hearts around the world as a gold and silver medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where her dynamic performances and infectious energy made her a standout star. As the first U.S.-born Latina to make the U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics team in over 30 years, she became a trailblazer in the sport, inspiring a new generation with her talent, authenticity, and resilience. Since then, she’s gone on to win Dancing with the Stars, write two New York Times bestselling books, and even have her own Mattel “Shero” Barbie created in her honor. On stage, Laurie shares her journey of perseverance, self- discovery, and embracing who you are with warmth and honesty, leaving audiences inspired to chase their own dreams. Beyond gymnastics, Laurie is a passionate advocate for mental health, confidence, and resilience. Whether she’s speaking to students, corporate teams, or community groups, she connects with audiences in a real and relatable way, offering powerful insights on overcoming adversity and staying true to yourself.
Laurie has also made a name for herself in television and entertainment, with acting roles, voiceover work, and a co-hosting spot on American Ninja Warrior Junior. As a gymnastics analyst for NBC, she’s provided expert commentary for the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, earning praise for her engaging and insightful coverage.
Her first book, I Got This: To Gold and Beyond (2017) chronicles her journey and made her a New York Times bestselling author. In 2018, she released a children’s picture book She’s Got This, which also became a New York Times bestseller while she served as a Literacy Champion to promote readership as a path to leadership.
