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ESPNW Article Laurie Hernandez and her Mental Training Coach Robert Andrews

July 30, 2016 by Robert Andrews Leave a Comment

Check out this great article about the work Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez and I have done to get her ready for Rio…

With one performance left on the biggest night of her career, Laurie Hernandez paused, placed her right hand over her belly and closed her eyes. She inhaled. Paused. Exhaled. She felt her belly expand and contract. She became aware of her breath. And slowly, the anxiety and adrenaline melted away. Then she raised that same arm toward the judges and turned to face the beam.

“I was really calm before beam,” Hernandez said. “I was able to calm myself down and go out there and enjoy the moment.” It’s a technique Hernandez learned from sports psychology coach Robert Andrews, who heads Houston’s Institute of Sports Performance and also works with three-time world champion Simone Biles. Watch Hernandez closely before she presents to the judges at each rotation and there she is: hand over belly, gaze softened yet focused, her shoulders rising and falling with each inhalation.
Laurie Hernandez’s pre-routine ritual includes this breathing exercise that calms her right before she goes.

Laurie Hernandez’s pre-routine ritual includes this breathing exercise that calms her right before she goes.

“And I pray,” she said.

Her pre-performance ritual is working.  Read more

Filed Under: 2016 Rio Olympics, Gymnastics, Laurie Hernandez, Mental Training, Sports Shut Down and the Mental and Emotional Impact on Athletes Tagged With: Laurie Hernandez, Olympics, Pre-Routine Ritual, Robert Andrews

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From Our Blog

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Retweet on TwitterRobert B. Andrews Retweeted
stevemagnessSteve Magness@stevemagness·
28 Aug

Distance coaches shouldn't weigh athletes.

The 'data' coming in doesn't actually tell you much worthwhile and it isn't worth the potential psychological harm or message that comes from it.

Still astonishes me how frequently this occurs in the college setting.

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mindsportsRobert B. Andrews@mindsports·
2 Aug

Talk about Peak Performance! Go team #SpaceEx #Splashdown

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mindsportsRobert B. Andrews@mindsports·
11 Jul

Laurie Hernandez on Twitter: "this is heart breaking. sending Catherine lots of love - i hope she knows her bravery in sharing her story doesn’t go unnoticed." / Twitter

Laurie Hernandez@LaurieHernandez

this is heart breaking. sending Catherine lots of love - i hope she knows her bravery in sharing her story doesn’t go unnoticed. https://twitter.com/itvnews/status/1280195998732759040

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mindsportsRobert B. Andrews@mindsports·
5 Apr

Parents Guide to the Sports Shut Down https://tinssp.com/a-parents-guide-to-the-sports-shut-down/

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mindsportsRobert B. Andrews@mindsports·
28 Jan

The mental game of Olympic Champions. http://www.championsmentaledge.com

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The Institute of Sports Performance™
3701 Kirby Dr
Suite 713
Houston, TX 77098
Find us

713.522.2200

robertandrews@tinssp.com
kierstincollins@tinssp.com
michaelheck@tinssp.com
cortneewhite@tinssp.com

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