Hernandez trains with Gym-Max in Costa Mesa, CA, under the guidance of personal coaches Jenny Zhang and Howie Liang. She made her international debut in 2016, competing for the United States in Italy. Her expressive personality has earned her nicknames like "Human Emoji" and "Lolo".

Challenges and Injuries

Throughout her career, Hernandez has faced several injuries. She competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics with a torn abdominal muscle. In 2016, she strained her knee and was unable to train for six weeks. Earlier in 2014, she dislocated her right kneecap, tore her patella tendon, and bruised her medial collateral ligament during a vault landing.

That same year, she fractured her wrist while practising a beam routine and was sidelined for six weeks. Despite these setbacks, Hernandez's resilience has been evident as she returned to training and competition.

Mental Health Struggles

In April 2020, Hernandez revealed that she had suffered verbal and emotional abuse from her long-time coach Maggie Haney. Haney was subsequently banned for eight years by USA Gymnastics. The abuse led Hernandez to develop depression and eating disorders. She described the experience as "twisted" and difficult to prove due to the lack of physical evidence.

Comeback

After resuming training in 2019, Hernandez competed in a gymnastics competition in February 2021 for the first time in over four years. At the 2021 Winter Cup in Indianapolis, IN, she aimed to perform clean routines and enjoy the experience as an older athlete.

Publications

Hernandez has also ventured into writing. In 2016, she released her autobiography titled 'I Got This: To Gold and Beyond'. Two years later, she published a children's picture book called 'She's Got This'. Both books reflect her journey and experiences in gymnastics.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, Hernandez plans to compete at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. Her sporting philosophy is encapsulated by the motto "Go big or go home," which continues to drive her ambitions.

Outside of gymnastics, Hernandez enjoys singing and playing musical instruments like the guitar and ukulele. She idolises US artistic gymnast Shawn Johnson, who has been a significant influence on her career.

Laurie Hernandez's journey is marked by perseverance through injuries and mental health challenges. Her return to competition showcases her dedication to the sport she loves.