US Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera shares her secret to switching her mindset to calm mode before playing
Hezly Rivera didn’t become an Olympic gold medalist by obsessing about her sport before playing: She discovered that the key to winning was to not think about gymnastics at all.
While many athletes swear by elaborate pregame routines or superstitious rituals, Rivera’s secret is simpler: silence and sometimes a nap.
“Before playing, I didn’t really take certain steps,” Rivera, 17, said Fortune. “When I’m getting ready, I like to stay as calm as possible. I don’t listen to music, I take a nap. I try not to think about gymnastics.”
The youngest athlete in the entire U.S. delegation to the 2024 Paris Olympics — she was 16 at the time — won a gold medal as a member of Team USA and became the U.S. senior all-around champion in 2025. Most recently, she had to withdraw from the World Championships due to an ankle injury. Now she shares how she stays so calm on and off the mat.
“I don’t have a lot of rituals or a set routine – everything just happens as planned that day,” she said.
“I pray with my family and it calms me down. I know that all the preparation we did in the gym will come to fruition eventually, so I’m not too stressed or worried about it,” she added.
The gymnast, who has been homeschooled since fourth grade to focus on her sport while training, says the same grounded mindset has helped her balance both worlds.
Rivera still considers education an important asset and works with Verizon Innovative Learning, joining Bronx Writing Academy students to help expand access to STEM opportunities in underserved schools.
Staying focused on the present moment is what helped her stay grounded
Since she’s been playing, her ability to stay present is what has helped her stick to her goals on and off the mat.
“Every turn is a new opportunity and a second chance,” Rivera says. “I try to forget the past, even if I made a mistake, and stay completely in the present. It’s not easy, but it’s something I’ve learned to practice.”
This echoes one of Michael Jordan’s famous quotes: “Why should I think about missing a shot I haven’t taken yet?” »
Sometimes being an Olympic gold medalist comes with mental and physical gymnastics. Four years ago, Simone Biles made headlines after withdrawing from several events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, due to an illness known as “twisties,” a sudden loss of air awareness that can disorient gymnasts in the middle of a program.
“Mental health and mindset are very important,” Rivera says. “It’s always best to talk about what’s bothering you, whether it’s with your coaches or your family. Gymnastics is physical, but it’s mostly mental. We can all practice the skills; it’s your mindset that makes the difference.”
