Life can change overnight if you are a 16-year-old gymnastics prodigy who won an Olympic gold. And Hezly Rivera knows that all too well. Hezly, at 16, went on to win an Olympic gold in Paris alongside her team with queens like Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, and Sunisa Lee. One moment, she was a young girl chasing the biggest dream. The next? Well, she was standing on the steps of the White House. Oh, also, she has also verbally committed to LSU?

The surge of transformation is hard to keep up with. As Hezly herself puts it, “Life has changed so much since the Olympics. I’ve been doing so many things. I mean, I went to the White House, I threw the first pitch, I’m on tour.” Yes, that is right! She did all of that in the last few months! Her post-Olympic shenanigans started at the White House.

The President of the United States invited Team USA to a prestigious dinner at the White House! With leaders and champions by her side, Hezly Rivera took the moment and embraced it to the fullest. To add on to the perfect moment, she wasn’t alone! Jessica Stevens, Evita Griskenas, Asher Hong, and, of course, her golden teammates joined her. It was truly a pinch-me moment for Hezly. But wait a minute, this wasn’t her “perfect 10” moment!

That priceless moment came on the pitches. Hezly Rivera was invited to the Texas Rangers at a game against the New York Yankees. At the pitch, she did a side aerial and then went on to throw the first pitch. Not just the crowds, but the Rangers themselves gave big approval to the event. They took it to Instagram and wrote, “A perfect 10 for Olympic gold medalist, @hezrivera!” While the honors have been flowing in, Hezly went on to say that all of it feels “a little bit overwhelming” at times.

But don’t worry, folks; Hezly already seems to have found the remedy to the conundrum! As Hezly herself puts it, “I’m just trying to enjoy every single moment of it because this happens once in a lifetime, so it’s very exciting.” The hectic ride that Hezly is on is, after all, a journey through the landscapes of America as well. Perks of being on the Gold Over America Tour? It sure is, but not for long.

The GOAT is all set to hit its final 5. The stops? The tour will next stop in Cleveland and then go on to Indianapolis, Louisville, Greensboro, and Cincinnati. Finally, the tour wraps up in Detroit. Hezly Rivera truly has no time to catch her breath. But here’s the thing: it is the joyful weight of being a champion. If you thought this was a lot, hang on because the honors are still flowing in.

Just when you think it couldn’t get any crazier, there’s Hezly Day!

If throwing the first pitch and being part of GOAT wasn’t enough, at just 16, Hezly Rivera was bestowed with something that most athletes don’t get in a lifetime. Her very own day! Hezly’s hometown of Oradell, New Jersey, went on to announce October 6th as “Hezly Day.” The quaint town hosted a parade, showering Hezly with applause and love.

“It’s crazy!” said Hezly. “I never would have thought that Oradell, or any place in the whole world, would name a day after me, so that’s actually insane.” It is quite bonkers to imagine an honor of such scale at 16. If that wasn’t iconic enough, she, in fact, joins her teammates in the rare list. Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee have also had days named in their honor. But the town also had another intention for the day.

As Hezly herself puts it, “I’m just so happy that I can be an inspiration to the younger generation and also be there for my hometown. I’m so happy that New Jersey is supporting me like that and showing me so much love.” The honor is not just a matter of hometown pride. But also a matter of inspiration. And if the Paris Olympics has told the world and Oradell one thing, it is that in the story of Hezly Rivera, there is a lot of history yet to be written!