February 14, 2025 • 20 mins
Did you know that Hezly Rivera was only 5 years old when she did her first flip? From that moment, she dreamed of becoming an Olympic Champion—and her dream came true! 🌟
Join Emily and Luis on the Lingokids Podcast as they travel back in time to the Paris Olympic Games to witness Hezly’s incredible gold medal-winning performance! 🤸♀️✨ But that’s not all—discover the story of the first gymnast ever to earn a perfect score at the Olympics!
We first met Hezly in Season One, when she was training hard to make Team USA. Want to hear her journey from the beginning? Check out our first episode with Hezly Rivera here!
🎧 Don’t miss this inspiring gymnastics adventure!
Episode Transcript
***** Parents, in the Lingokids app, we have plenty of interactive activities, games, songs, and more that blend educational subjects and modern life skills to help get your kids ready for today's changing world! From math to making friends, reading to resilience, collaboration, creativity, and so much more, spark curiosity, imagination, and success with Lingokids! *****
A Lingokids Original podcast produced by Studio Ochenta
Starring Emily Calandrelli as Herself and Parker James Logie as Luis
Guest: Hezly Rivera
With additional production support from:
Head Writers: Maru Lombardo and Luis López
Production Coordinators: Catalina Hoyos
Editor: Luis López
Theme Song Written by: Fredrika Stahl
Theme Song Composed by: Fredrika Stahl
Music Production: Dimitri Peronno
Theme Song Performed by: The Angel City Youth Chorale directed by Heather Catalena
Recording Engineers: Bill Trousdale at Audiovisions and Jason Schimmel at Bunker Studios
Legal Services: Lisa Nitti, Ludye Nisol, Alix d’Argentré
Special thanks to: Hezly Rivera, Henry Rivera and Jenny Kwon
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
It's crazy how everything falls into place. I never would
have thought when I was seven years old that I
would be on the same team Simon Biles, competing with her,
which is absolutely insane. I'm super excited that I was
able to compete alongside her and you know, just support her,
and she's supporting.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Me as well.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Obviously, twenty twenty four Olympics was in the back of
my mind ever since I was little. I was just
so in the moment and so grateful to be competing
and representing Team USA. I definitely think everybody should try
out gymnastics. I just think it's really fun, especially at
a young age.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Always keep working hard, but don't forget to have fun.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Meet the youngest gymnast on Team USA who competed in
the twenty twenty four Paris Olympics. She's Hesley Rivera, and
she joins us today on this episode of Growing Up.
In fact, Hesley is re joining us today two years
after her first appearance on the Growing Up podcast. We'll
(01:06):
be catching up with Heslie to hear about all the
twists and turns her gymnastics journey has taken since then.
Welcome to Growing Up, the Lingo Kids podcast that encourages
kids to dream big and discover who they want to be.
In today's episode, Louise and I are traveling all the
(01:29):
way to the Olympics. That's right, We're about to see
up close and in person, what it's like to be
a professional gymnast. We're in for some seriously bouncy fun today.
Ready to jump in?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Let's go? All right, Maxie, this is it? Yes, I'm
(02:12):
super ready. Here goes the jumping night.
Speaker 5 (02:22):
W uh oh, I jumped the wrong way, look o, Maxie.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Phew, that was close. This trampoline rocks, Louise, looks like
you got a little too creative with that jump. Yeah,
maybe just a bit off course.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Yep. The go Forward Labs warp Bileen is super special.
When you jump on it, it magically zooms you all
the way too in the Olympic Stadium, just like the
real thing, so you can see what it's like to
be a gymnast. How did it feel, Louise.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
It felt like I could fly.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Emily, Speaking of which, a reminder for all our dear listeners,
jumping like that should only be done with a professional coach.
We're just having some magical fun here.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
You're right, Maxi that was a super hard jump.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Oh well, gymnastics does take a lot of hard work.
That's why it's so hard to get a perfect ten
in gymnastics.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
A perfect ten, what's that, Emily.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Well, Louise, it is the highest score a person in
gymnastics can get. Want to know something cool about it?
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Well, a good night. Always need some cool things exactly.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
You see, there was someone back in the year nineteen
seventy six who actually got a perfect score on the Olympics. Really, yep,
it was a young girl from Romania named Nadia Comanecchi.
Picture this, Louise. We're in Canada, in the city of Montreal.
(04:07):
It's the nineteen seventy six Olympics.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Oh, I've always wanted to go to Canada so I
could play with Maxie and the snow.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
That sounds fun, But right now it's a warm summer.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Oh okay, that's cool too.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
The streets are filled with sports banners, sports like swimming
and archery, cycling, and of course gymnastics. So epic, very epic.
People are coming from all over the world to line
up outside a huge Olympic stadium. They're about to see
a fourteen year old make a performance like no other
(04:45):
What is she gonna do, Emily. You see, this girl
is about to do these same gymnastics moves as many
other girls from all over the world. That's what competing
is all about. Oh, but she did something different. She
added the Nadia touch. The Nadia touch was what she
(05:06):
called her personal twist to the whole routine.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
I can't believe someone almost my age can do that.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I know and picture the audience going crazy with her performance,
and then the judges give their ruling.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
It's ten point for sure, right MAXI?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
It was actually one point, No way a one.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
How could that be?
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Don't worry, Louise. It was actually good news. Back then,
no one thought it was possible for anyone to score
a perfect ten, so the scoreboards went from zero to
nine point ninety nine. They had to just put a
number one there.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Oh got it, that's funny. So Nadia became the one
and super epic Nadia. Comma coma coma Naji she did.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Nadia made history that day, and she became one of
the best gymnasts the world has ever known.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
What a cool story, Emily. I wish I could be
there in Montreal to see Nadia's jumps.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
I get it, Louise, But did you watch last Summer's
Olympics in Paris?
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Of course I couldn't miss it. Why was Nadia there too?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
It wasn't Nadia. It was the US gymnastics team that
also did something very very very spectacular and won the
gold medal. And today we actually have a member of
the US team who will join us in the Talking
Game show.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Wait, you mean a real Olympian. Uh huh, like someone
who actually actually was at the Olympics. That's right.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Will be speaking with Heslie Rivera, who just won gold
with teams in Paris. She was on our show a
couple years ago, and now she's back with a gold
medal to tell us all about her journey and what
it's like to be part of the team.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
No way, that's incredible. You heard that, Maxie. I can't
wait to hear what she has to say about Paris
and jumping so high and the gold medal. It's going
to be.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
An amazing chat off.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
We go.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Welcome everyone to our Growing Up Talking Game Show. Today
we'll be talking again with brand new USA gold medalist
Hesley Rivera. Back when we talked to her on Growing
Up Season one, Hesley was dreaming and training to be
the Olympian she is today. Luise got your question ready, Yes, Emily,
(07:56):
what does it feel like to win a gold medal?
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Hesley?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Off the metal?
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Honestly, it didn't really sink in until a few days after,
because I woke up the next morning I was like,
no way, we just want an Olympic gold medal, which
was insane, And then when I got home it hit
even more.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
What's the metal like? Is it heavy? Is it shiny?
Speaker 2 (08:18):
All the above?
Speaker 1 (08:19):
It is heavy, it is shiny, and I think it
does actually have a piece of the Eiffel Tower in it,
which is really cool that.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I think that's the best part for me.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Every once in a while I take it out of
the box and I put it around my neck and
I actually just did it yesterday.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
You must be so proud of yourself and Team USA, Hesley.
Last time we spoke, you were training really hard to
be where you are today.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
For me, it felt like all my hard work paid off.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
My family and I have sacrificed so much to get
to this point. We moved all the way across the
country to pursue my dreams of becoming an Olympian. Obviously,
twenty twenty four Olympics was in the back of my
mind ever since I was little. I was just so
in the moment and so grateful to be competing and
(09:11):
representing Team USA.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
And you joined the team with Simone Biles, the gymnasts
who has won the most gold medals in the world.
You've looked up to her for so long and now
you're on the same team as her. I mean, how
exciting is that?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Yeah, it's crazy. It's crazy how everything falls into place.
I never would have thought when I was seven years
old that I would be on the same team as
Simone Biles, competing with her, which is absolutely insane. But
now that it's happened and it's real, honestly, it's the
best thing ever. And having her as a teammate a mentor,
(09:49):
and obviously she's a veteran, was so good to have.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
As in my first Olympics, I was starstruck.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
And were you always such a pro at jumping, flipping
and flying through the air.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I would say in between seven and ten is when
I really started to shift my focus onto gymnastics and
be like, Okay, I'm actually really good at this. So
if I work hard and have fun and listen to
my coaches. I think I can get really far in
this sport.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
It doesn't sound easy to start training at such a
high level as a kid.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
It was definitely really hard at first because I wasn't
used to that. But after about the first year, I
started getting used to it and it started becoming better,
and that's when all the hard work has started to
pay off.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
And I was like I made the right decision, so
I was very happy.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Sounds like a wild roller coaster or.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Like swinging on the uneven bars.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Yeah, sounds like a lot, Hesley.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
So I'm sure your parents played a huge role in
getting you where you are today. Is that right?
Speaker 1 (10:51):
I would say for my parents that they support me
no matter what, and they're always going to try to
help me and everything, not just in gymnastics, but in
school and outside gymnastics life just anything. I can talk
to them about anything and they'll always be there to
help and support and they love me, my brother and
my sister unconditionally, which is very important.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
My mom cheers me on and everything I love to
do too.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
That's really important. Louise. And what's that thing you always
love to do in your routine, Hesley? I remember the
first time we spoke on this show, you loved bars, right.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Yes, Bars is still my favorite event, and I actually
do love to fly from the low bar to the
high bar. Still, it's probably one of my favorite skills.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Oh right. Gymnasts do tons of things, so bars is
one of them.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Yes, Louise and women's gymnastics. Another one is vault, which
is the one you practiced before, oh right. And then
there's the beam, which gymnasts have to stand on and
make swirls and turns like walking on a tight rope exactly.
And then there's the floor, which it's more like dancing.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
It all sounds so cool. Why do you like bars
the most? Tesli?
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Bars is kind of just its own, separate whole event,
which is very different, And to be honest, when I
was younger, I wasn't really that good at bars. It
kind of just clicked when I was older. But just
using the bar and swinging with it is definitely so
fun and I'd say takes.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Skill, but I love bars.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
It's my favorite, and honestly, I think it will be
my favorite for a long time.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Parents always want their kids to be happy and safe.
What are some things you should always do? To stay
safe while doing gymnastics.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Esley, Yeah, so first, always have a coach in the gym. Also,
I would say to never do gymnastics unless you're in
a gym, Like, don't do it around your house, don't
do it unsupervised at open gym or at a different
gym that you've never been to or something you know.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
I think there'll be gymnastics trials so at my school
in a month or two, do you think I could
try to get in?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
I definitely think everybody should try out gymnastics. It's super
fun to see if you have you know what it takes,
or have the talent.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
And even even if you do or don't.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
I just think it's really fun, especially at a young
age when you can be in a gym full of
other children and you know, jump on a trampoline and
just see what you can do, flip around, just play
with it.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
Oh yeah, I love the trampoline, Psley.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
I have one last question before jumping to our game show.
What's your number one tip for kids to want to
try gymnastics.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Always keep working hard, but don't forget to have fun.
And once you get older, remember why you started, because
it will push you to be your best and always
have even if it's not. Your parents have teammates and
friends to support you and to keep you going and
to push you, but to also be, you know, supporting
(14:05):
you and be very nice to you, because that's what
you need to get you going and to make you
a better person and athlete.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
That was the one and only Olympian and gold medalist
Hesley Rivera. Louise, are you ready for our game show?
Speaker 4 (14:23):
I sure I am.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Welcome to our very own growing up game show, Louise,
what are we playing today?
Speaker 4 (14:31):
Today? We're playing Choose one. Choose one is super simple.
I'm gonna tell you to imagine something. Then I'll say
three things, and you, Hesley, gotta pick just one then
tell us why you picked it. Here's number one. You're
at the men's gymnastic events and you get to try
(14:54):
just one. Which one would you pick? Parallel bars rings
or Pomelo horse rings?
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Because I feel like I could swing on them a
lot and just have fun and do whatever. I think
I would have some pretty decent strength for that.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
Oh cool, Okay. Number two, you're about to start your
floor routine and you need to pick a song for it.
Which one would you choose Baby Shark Gungam style or
Desposito Gangham Style.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
I used to listen to that song when I was
a little on repeat. I didn't know Korean. I was
just like having fun to that song with my brother.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
You'll Rocket Lesley. Okay, So final game show question. If
you could pick a board or card game or you
totally win against your team USA teammates, which one would
it be? Chess, Monopoly or Uno.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
Uno? For sure?
Speaker 1 (16:01):
We actually played that in the Olympics. At the Olympics,
we were in northern France. It was definitely a crazy game.
One of the games was like an hour long and
it was crazy. We were like, okay, we need to
stop now. But it was super super fun and did
you win?
Speaker 2 (16:20):
I won? I think once, just once. We played a
lot of times.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Well, Louise, what did you learn about being a gymnast today?
Speaker 4 (16:31):
I learned that gymnasts start training when they're kids to
be their very best. I also learned that teamwork and
support are super important to become and a great athlete. Also,
it takes a lot of hard work and some sacrifice,
but if you really love what you're doing, it's all
worth it.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
These are all super valuable lessons, don't you think for sure?
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Emily? But I just had an idea.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Hmm, what do you have in mind?
Speaker 4 (16:57):
I never saw Hesley's routine on TV. Is there any
way I can see it?
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Oh, no, worries, Louise. There is actually a way. In fact,
the warpauline can take us to the twenty twenty four
Olympics right away.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
It can time travel like the go Forward cube.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Remember all go Forward lab technology is very very magical.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
So I have to jump inside it like I did before.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
Exactly, you have a good memory. This time I'll get
in and jump with you. Go on, I'll be right
behind you, Okay, Louise. At the count of three, we
make a super high jump.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Ready, super ready, Emily, one, two.
Speaker 6 (17:44):
Three, Welcome to the Paris twenty twenty four Games.
Speaker 4 (17:54):
Whoa, Emily, this stadium is packed.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Yes, Louise, we're back in time in Paris, near the
Eiffel Tower.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
So we're in France.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
We we indeed we are. Look, there are people over
there cheering for the USA team, others for the China team,
for Mexico, for so many other countries.
Speaker 4 (18:15):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
I just love the Olympics and how it brings people together.
Speaker 7 (18:20):
And now please welcome Team USA, introducing Simone Biles, Jade Carry,
Jordan Child's, Sudie Lee, and Heslee Rivera, the youngest athletes
on Team USA.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
I think she'll do bars first.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
She did say she loves bars. Right, that's right.
Speaker 7 (18:41):
Now welcome Heslee Rivera on uneven bar.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
Oh, there she goes.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Look, Emily, Hesley is gonna grab those bars over her. Yes.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
Oh, take a closer look.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
Wow, she jumped from the lower bar to the one
that's higher.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
It's amazing.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
And now look she's gonna spin back to the lower bar.
Speaker 4 (19:02):
She can stand on her hands with her legs.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Way up, and now she'll spin back to the higher bar.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
And then I know she's gonna win. But I'm still
so nervous about this flick. And there she goes, double
flip in the air, and.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
So has finished up her routine.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Wow, Emily did she did? She?
Speaker 3 (19:28):
She did, Louise, she won her first gold medal.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Woo, go Lelly go.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Isn't it weird that we're cheering for something that already happened.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
Oh I forgot her in the past, Emily.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Well it's still Paris, So you know what we could
do jump off for a croissan. I was thinking of
a baguette, but.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Why not both?
Speaker 3 (19:52):
Why not? Thanks for tagging along on this episode of
Grow about the hard work behind being an Olympic gymnast.
Until next time, keep that spark of curiosity up, dear listeners, Luis, are.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
You curious for more?
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Always well, you can check out Lingo Kids, the number
one app for kids. We have tons of videos, games
and podcasts that are fun and educational. Download the Lingo
Kids app and give it a try for free
It's crazy how everything falls into place. I never would
have thought when I was seven years old that I
would be on the same team Simon Biles, competing with her,
which is absolutely insane. I'm super excited that I was
able to compete alongside her and you know, just support her,
and she's supporting.
Speaker 2 (00:22):
Me as well.
Speaker 1 (00:23):
Obviously, twenty twenty four Olympics was in the back of
my mind ever since I was little. I was just
so in the moment and so grateful to be competing
and representing Team USA. I definitely think everybody should try
out gymnastics. I just think it's really fun, especially at
a young age.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Always keep working hard, but don't forget to have fun.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Meet the youngest gymnast on Team USA who competed in
the twenty twenty four Paris Olympics. She's Hesley Rivera, and
she joins us today on this episode of Growing Up.
In fact, Hesley is re joining us today two years
after her first appearance on the Growing Up podcast. We'll
(01:06):
be catching up with Heslie to hear about all the
twists and turns her gymnastics journey has taken since then.
Welcome to Growing Up, the Lingo Kids podcast that encourages
kids to dream big and discover who they want to be.
In today's episode, Louise and I are traveling all the
(01:29):
way to the Olympics. That's right, We're about to see
up close and in person, what it's like to be
a professional gymnast. We're in for some seriously bouncy fun today.
Ready to jump in?
Speaker 4 (01:45):
Let's go? All right, Maxie, this is it? Yes, I'm
(02:12):
super ready. Here goes the jumping night.
Speaker 5 (02:22):
W uh oh, I jumped the wrong way, look o, Maxie.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
Phew, that was close. This trampoline rocks, Louise, looks like
you got a little too creative with that jump. Yeah,
maybe just a bit off course.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Yep. The go Forward Labs warp Bileen is super special.
When you jump on it, it magically zooms you all
the way too in the Olympic Stadium, just like the
real thing, so you can see what it's like to
be a gymnast. How did it feel, Louise.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
It felt like I could fly.
Speaker 3 (03:04):
Emily, Speaking of which, a reminder for all our dear listeners,
jumping like that should only be done with a professional coach.
We're just having some magical fun here.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
You're right, Maxi that was a super hard jump.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
Oh well, gymnastics does take a lot of hard work.
That's why it's so hard to get a perfect ten
in gymnastics.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
A perfect ten, what's that, Emily.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Well, Louise, it is the highest score a person in
gymnastics can get. Want to know something cool about it?
Speaker 4 (03:41):
Well, a good night. Always need some cool things exactly.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
You see, there was someone back in the year nineteen
seventy six who actually got a perfect score on the Olympics. Really, yep,
it was a young girl from Romania named Nadia Comanecchi.
Picture this, Louise. We're in Canada, in the city of Montreal.
(04:07):
It's the nineteen seventy six Olympics.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Oh, I've always wanted to go to Canada so I
could play with Maxie and the snow.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
That sounds fun, But right now it's a warm summer.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Oh okay, that's cool too.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
The streets are filled with sports banners, sports like swimming
and archery, cycling, and of course gymnastics. So epic, very epic.
People are coming from all over the world to line
up outside a huge Olympic stadium. They're about to see
a fourteen year old make a performance like no other
(04:45):
What is she gonna do, Emily. You see, this girl
is about to do these same gymnastics moves as many
other girls from all over the world. That's what competing
is all about. Oh, but she did something different. She
added the Nadia touch. The Nadia touch was what she
(05:06):
called her personal twist to the whole routine.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
I can't believe someone almost my age can do that.
Speaker 3 (05:14):
I know and picture the audience going crazy with her performance,
and then the judges give their ruling.
Speaker 4 (05:22):
It's ten point for sure, right MAXI?
Speaker 3 (05:25):
It was actually one point, No way a one.
Speaker 4 (05:33):
How could that be?
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Don't worry, Louise. It was actually good news. Back then,
no one thought it was possible for anyone to score
a perfect ten, so the scoreboards went from zero to
nine point ninety nine. They had to just put a
number one there.
Speaker 4 (05:53):
Oh got it, that's funny. So Nadia became the one
and super epic Nadia. Comma coma coma Naji she did.
Speaker 3 (06:06):
Nadia made history that day, and she became one of
the best gymnasts the world has ever known.
Speaker 4 (06:13):
What a cool story, Emily. I wish I could be
there in Montreal to see Nadia's jumps.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
I get it, Louise, But did you watch last Summer's
Olympics in Paris?
Speaker 4 (06:23):
Of course I couldn't miss it. Why was Nadia there too?
Speaker 3 (06:27):
It wasn't Nadia. It was the US gymnastics team that
also did something very very very spectacular and won the
gold medal. And today we actually have a member of
the US team who will join us in the Talking
Game show.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Wait, you mean a real Olympian. Uh huh, like someone
who actually actually was at the Olympics. That's right.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Will be speaking with Heslie Rivera, who just won gold
with teams in Paris. She was on our show a
couple years ago, and now she's back with a gold
medal to tell us all about her journey and what
it's like to be part of the team.
Speaker 4 (07:12):
No way, that's incredible. You heard that, Maxie. I can't
wait to hear what she has to say about Paris
and jumping so high and the gold medal. It's going
to be.
Speaker 3 (07:24):
An amazing chat off.
Speaker 4 (07:26):
We go.
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Welcome everyone to our Growing Up Talking Game Show. Today
we'll be talking again with brand new USA gold medalist
Hesley Rivera. Back when we talked to her on Growing
Up Season one, Hesley was dreaming and training to be
the Olympian she is today. Luise got your question ready, Yes, Emily,
(07:56):
what does it feel like to win a gold medal?
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Hesley?
Speaker 2 (08:00):
Off the metal?
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Honestly, it didn't really sink in until a few days after,
because I woke up the next morning I was like,
no way, we just want an Olympic gold medal, which
was insane, And then when I got home it hit
even more.
Speaker 4 (08:14):
What's the metal like? Is it heavy? Is it shiny?
Speaker 2 (08:18):
All the above?
Speaker 1 (08:19):
It is heavy, it is shiny, and I think it
does actually have a piece of the Eiffel Tower in it,
which is really cool that.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
I think that's the best part for me.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Every once in a while I take it out of
the box and I put it around my neck and
I actually just did it yesterday.
Speaker 3 (08:36):
You must be so proud of yourself and Team USA, Hesley.
Last time we spoke, you were training really hard to
be where you are today.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
For me, it felt like all my hard work paid off.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
My family and I have sacrificed so much to get
to this point. We moved all the way across the
country to pursue my dreams of becoming an Olympian. Obviously,
twenty twenty four Olympics was in the back of my
mind ever since I was little. I was just so
in the moment and so grateful to be competing and
(09:11):
representing Team USA.
Speaker 3 (09:13):
And you joined the team with Simone Biles, the gymnasts
who has won the most gold medals in the world.
You've looked up to her for so long and now
you're on the same team as her. I mean, how
exciting is that?
Speaker 1 (09:29):
Yeah, it's crazy. It's crazy how everything falls into place.
I never would have thought when I was seven years
old that I would be on the same team as
Simone Biles, competing with her, which is absolutely insane. But
now that it's happened and it's real, honestly, it's the
best thing ever. And having her as a teammate a mentor,
(09:49):
and obviously she's a veteran, was so good to have.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
As in my first Olympics, I was starstruck.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
And were you always such a pro at jumping, flipping
and flying through the air.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
I would say in between seven and ten is when
I really started to shift my focus onto gymnastics and
be like, Okay, I'm actually really good at this. So
if I work hard and have fun and listen to
my coaches. I think I can get really far in
this sport.
Speaker 3 (10:16):
It doesn't sound easy to start training at such a
high level as a kid.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
It was definitely really hard at first because I wasn't
used to that. But after about the first year, I
started getting used to it and it started becoming better,
and that's when all the hard work has started to
pay off.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
And I was like I made the right decision, so
I was very happy.
Speaker 4 (10:38):
Sounds like a wild roller coaster or.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
Like swinging on the uneven bars.
Speaker 4 (10:43):
Yeah, sounds like a lot, Hesley.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
So I'm sure your parents played a huge role in
getting you where you are today. Is that right?
Speaker 1 (10:51):
I would say for my parents that they support me
no matter what, and they're always going to try to
help me and everything, not just in gymnastics, but in
school and outside gymnastics life just anything. I can talk
to them about anything and they'll always be there to
help and support and they love me, my brother and
my sister unconditionally, which is very important.
Speaker 4 (11:13):
My mom cheers me on and everything I love to
do too.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
That's really important. Louise. And what's that thing you always
love to do in your routine, Hesley? I remember the
first time we spoke on this show, you loved bars, right.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Yes, Bars is still my favorite event, and I actually
do love to fly from the low bar to the
high bar. Still, it's probably one of my favorite skills.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
Oh right. Gymnasts do tons of things, so bars is
one of them.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
Yes, Louise and women's gymnastics. Another one is vault, which
is the one you practiced before, oh right. And then
there's the beam, which gymnasts have to stand on and
make swirls and turns like walking on a tight rope exactly.
And then there's the floor, which it's more like dancing.
Speaker 4 (12:01):
It all sounds so cool. Why do you like bars
the most? Tesli?
Speaker 1 (12:05):
Bars is kind of just its own, separate whole event,
which is very different, And to be honest, when I
was younger, I wasn't really that good at bars. It
kind of just clicked when I was older. But just
using the bar and swinging with it is definitely so
fun and I'd say takes.
Speaker 2 (12:25):
Skill, but I love bars.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
It's my favorite, and honestly, I think it will be
my favorite for a long time.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Parents always want their kids to be happy and safe.
What are some things you should always do? To stay
safe while doing gymnastics.
Speaker 1 (12:42):
Esley, Yeah, so first, always have a coach in the gym. Also,
I would say to never do gymnastics unless you're in
a gym, Like, don't do it around your house, don't
do it unsupervised at open gym or at a different
gym that you've never been to or something you know.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
I think there'll be gymnastics trials so at my school
in a month or two, do you think I could
try to get in?
Speaker 1 (13:05):
I definitely think everybody should try out gymnastics. It's super
fun to see if you have you know what it takes,
or have the talent.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
And even even if you do or don't.
Speaker 1 (13:17):
I just think it's really fun, especially at a young
age when you can be in a gym full of
other children and you know, jump on a trampoline and
just see what you can do, flip around, just play
with it.
Speaker 4 (13:31):
Oh yeah, I love the trampoline, Psley.
Speaker 3 (13:34):
I have one last question before jumping to our game show.
What's your number one tip for kids to want to
try gymnastics.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
Always keep working hard, but don't forget to have fun.
And once you get older, remember why you started, because
it will push you to be your best and always
have even if it's not. Your parents have teammates and
friends to support you and to keep you going and
to push you, but to also be, you know, supporting
(14:05):
you and be very nice to you, because that's what
you need to get you going and to make you
a better person and athlete.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
That was the one and only Olympian and gold medalist
Hesley Rivera. Louise, are you ready for our game show?
Speaker 4 (14:23):
I sure I am.
Speaker 3 (14:26):
Welcome to our very own growing up game show, Louise,
what are we playing today?
Speaker 4 (14:31):
Today? We're playing Choose one. Choose one is super simple.
I'm gonna tell you to imagine something. Then I'll say
three things, and you, Hesley, gotta pick just one then
tell us why you picked it. Here's number one. You're
at the men's gymnastic events and you get to try
(14:54):
just one. Which one would you pick? Parallel bars rings
or Pomelo horse rings?
Speaker 1 (15:01):
Because I feel like I could swing on them a
lot and just have fun and do whatever. I think
I would have some pretty decent strength for that.
Speaker 4 (15:13):
Oh cool, Okay. Number two, you're about to start your
floor routine and you need to pick a song for it.
Which one would you choose Baby Shark Gungam style or
Desposito Gangham Style.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
I used to listen to that song when I was
a little on repeat. I didn't know Korean. I was
just like having fun to that song with my brother.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
You'll Rocket Lesley. Okay, So final game show question. If
you could pick a board or card game or you
totally win against your team USA teammates, which one would
it be? Chess, Monopoly or Uno.
Speaker 2 (15:59):
Uno? For sure?
Speaker 1 (16:01):
We actually played that in the Olympics. At the Olympics,
we were in northern France. It was definitely a crazy game.
One of the games was like an hour long and
it was crazy. We were like, okay, we need to
stop now. But it was super super fun and did
you win?
Speaker 2 (16:20):
I won? I think once, just once. We played a
lot of times.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
Well, Louise, what did you learn about being a gymnast today?
Speaker 4 (16:31):
I learned that gymnasts start training when they're kids to
be their very best. I also learned that teamwork and
support are super important to become and a great athlete. Also,
it takes a lot of hard work and some sacrifice,
but if you really love what you're doing, it's all
worth it.
Speaker 3 (16:48):
These are all super valuable lessons, don't you think for sure?
Speaker 4 (16:52):
Emily? But I just had an idea.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
Hmm, what do you have in mind?
Speaker 4 (16:57):
I never saw Hesley's routine on TV. Is there any
way I can see it?
Speaker 3 (17:02):
Oh, no, worries, Louise. There is actually a way. In fact,
the warpauline can take us to the twenty twenty four
Olympics right away.
Speaker 4 (17:11):
It can time travel like the go Forward cube.
Speaker 3 (17:15):
Remember all go Forward lab technology is very very magical.
Speaker 4 (17:21):
So I have to jump inside it like I did before.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
Exactly, you have a good memory. This time I'll get
in and jump with you. Go on, I'll be right
behind you, Okay, Louise. At the count of three, we
make a super high jump.
Speaker 4 (17:38):
Ready, super ready, Emily, one, two.
Speaker 6 (17:44):
Three, Welcome to the Paris twenty twenty four Games.
Speaker 4 (17:54):
Whoa, Emily, this stadium is packed.
Speaker 3 (17:57):
Yes, Louise, we're back in time in Paris, near the
Eiffel Tower.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
So we're in France.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
We we indeed we are. Look, there are people over
there cheering for the USA team, others for the China team,
for Mexico, for so many other countries.
Speaker 4 (18:15):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (18:15):
I just love the Olympics and how it brings people together.
Speaker 7 (18:20):
And now please welcome Team USA, introducing Simone Biles, Jade Carry,
Jordan Child's, Sudie Lee, and Heslee Rivera, the youngest athletes
on Team USA.
Speaker 3 (18:36):
I think she'll do bars first.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
She did say she loves bars. Right, that's right.
Speaker 7 (18:41):
Now welcome Heslee Rivera on uneven bar.
Speaker 3 (18:45):
Oh, there she goes.
Speaker 4 (18:47):
Look, Emily, Hesley is gonna grab those bars over her. Yes.
Speaker 3 (18:51):
Oh, take a closer look.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
Wow, she jumped from the lower bar to the one
that's higher.
Speaker 3 (18:57):
It's amazing.
Speaker 4 (18:59):
Oh.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
And now look she's gonna spin back to the lower bar.
Speaker 4 (19:02):
She can stand on her hands with her legs.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
Way up, and now she'll spin back to the higher bar.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
And then I know she's gonna win. But I'm still
so nervous about this flick. And there she goes, double
flip in the air, and.
Speaker 3 (19:20):
So has finished up her routine.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Wow, Emily did she did? She?
Speaker 3 (19:28):
She did, Louise, she won her first gold medal.
Speaker 4 (19:33):
Woo, go Lelly go.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
Isn't it weird that we're cheering for something that already happened.
Speaker 4 (19:40):
Oh I forgot her in the past, Emily.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
Well it's still Paris, So you know what we could
do jump off for a croissan. I was thinking of
a baguette, but.
Speaker 4 (19:51):
Why not both?
Speaker 3 (19:52):
Why not? Thanks for tagging along on this episode of
Grow about the hard work behind being an Olympic gymnast.
Until next time, keep that spark of curiosity up, dear listeners, Luis, are.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
You curious for more?
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Always well, you can check out Lingo Kids, the number
one app for kids. We have tons of videos, games
and podcasts that are fun and educational. Download the Lingo
Kids app and give it a try for free
Host
Emily Calandrelli
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