Stefany Hernández was born at Guayana, Bolívar, Venezuela, she is a Venezuelan racing cyclist who represents Venezuela in BMX. She represented Venezuela at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the women’s BMX event. She was fifth in her semifinal heat. Her final standing was ninth. Stefany Hernandez moved from Venezuela to Switzerland to ride BMX 100%.
On social media Stefany Hernandez uses the hashtag #consistency469. 469 is her permanent career number, the one displayed on the front of her bike and with which she can be identified in races. Consistency is a word with which Stefany Hernandez identifies herself.
“I have been very consistent this year,” says the 23-year-old who finished 6th in the 2014 UCI Ranking with the same number of points as 5th-placed Manon Valentino, of France. The young Venezuelan finished fourth overall in the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup with two podiums, two fourth-places and one fall in the semi-finals. Since arriving at the UCI World Cycling Centre in 2012, Stefany has steadily progressed. The plan is to continue that progression in 2015 and be in peak form for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The prospect of racing at the Olympics so close to home is a particular source of inspiration.
“I love the energy in South America,” enthuses the young athlete. “I love being on the track and doing what I enjoy. If you give 100% every day and work hard you can be regular and consistent. Then all of a sudden you look back and realise ‘wow, I’ve already achieved all that…’
Her positive attitude has been severely challenged at times, for example when she broke her ankle the year before the 2012 Olympic Games: “It was a difficult and stressful preparation.”
The convalescent BMXer arrived at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, for the first time just four months before the Games. Despite getting back into good shape, Stefany fell in the semi-final in London and did not even get the opportunity to line up in the last eight. It was a make or break situation in her career which saw her return to Venezuela, give up sport and “go crazy” for a few months.
“But I wasn’t happy like that. I wanted to be Olympic Champion and I knew what I had to do. I had a lot of chance that Thomas Allier (WCC coach – ed) believed in me. In January 2013 I was ready to go and we are on the right path. I think when you look back, all the disappointments are just steps on the way to something.”
The first step of her BMX career began, literally, in her mother’s womb. Stefany’s mother started having contractions while watching a BMX race. Born into the sport, the little girl followed in the footsteps of her two older brothers and competed in her first UCI World Championships, in the Challenge class, in Louisville (USA) 2001. Her brothers were also racing and their father sold his car so he would have enough money to take them.
Finances continued to be an issue until 2009 when Stefany beat the then Junior World Champion, a certain Mariana Pajón, in a regional race. “Things really started to take off then. The Venezuelan Government gave me some money and I started racing and training in France. I had always admired the French athletes. To me they were like rock stars! Something changed in my head and it was around then that I realised I could get to the Olympic Games.”
The 23-year-old athlete is certainly not getting rich from her sport, and considers herself extremely fortunate to get support from Olympic Solidarity. But money is secondary: “I do what I love and I have a coach who believes in me. Thomas is so passionate and follows us closely. All the staff at the UCI World Cycling Centre are amazing. I am so lucky.”
This winter is the first one that the BMX athletes will spend at the WCC. When the weather permits they will continue riding the centre’s Supercross track, complemented by specific sessions on the velodrome and workouts in the gym. It’s a far cry from the sunny warmth of Venezuela but for Stefany there is no problem with that: “I like winning and I know what I have to do.”
Full Interview on Next Page!
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Stefany Hernandez is an exceptionally talented and accomplished Venezuelan racing cyclist. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness..
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Your first step of the BMX career began, literally, in your mother’s womb. Your mother started having contractions while watching a BMX race. Born into the sport, you followed in the footsteps of your two older brothers and competed in your first UCI World Championships, in the Challenge class, in Louisville (USA) 2001. You were ignited and made competitive BMX cycle racing as your career and reached the pinnacle of success by finishing fourth overall in the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup with two podiums and two fourth-places.Tell us about your journey that took you to where you are now in the world of competitive BMX cycle racing and what factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
I’m living in Switzerland since january 2013, training at UCI World Cycling Centre with French Thomas Allier, that is one of the factor cause I’m improving every day on my BMX career. My journey come with around 5 to 6 hours training in two session, there is a training center with all that we need, a huge BMX track, velodrome, gym and restaurant.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
How could you overcome the element of fear in BMX cycle racing as a sport?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
Fear is a bad word for me, I decide to delete it from my mind, because it does not give anything positive. Fear is enemy of success so the less you have the more you shall be able to achieve your goals. It is just about living the moment, enjoy the all single things that are happening and give your best so in that space you don’t have time to feel fear. It is your choice.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you shall like to share?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
Work couples of time a week at the gym, doing squats-cleans-jumps-etc. Riding at BMX track, velodrome and some time road ride. We train 6 days a week and 2 sessions a day.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
I don’t have a special one, just take care about I eat, this year I start to decrease lactose and gluten in my diet.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding competitive BMX cycle racing girls who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in field of competitive professional BMX cycle racing?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
Just have a dream, that dream should become your goal and work for that with all your energies. We can achieve all that we believe in and work for that.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your training at UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
Training is going well, with a good ambience, there are so good riders coming from others countries and we’re training by a awesome coach. I’m surround by athletes who work hard every day and I think that there is a great motivation for keep going and advance as far as possible.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You finished 6th in the 2014 UCI Ranking, you plan to continue the progression in 2015 and be in peak form for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. Tell more about your training schedule and plan to win the gold in coming Olympics?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
2014 was a good year, really happy with all the results, this work started at beginning of 2013, so I’m progressing step by step. For the 2015 season I want be in the top 3 and stay consistent in every race. In July we have two good races, namely the Pan-American Games in Toronto and the UCI World Championship in Zolder-Belgium. So keep moving and improving to qualify for Rio and have the opportunity for win that gold medal.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influencer and motivator in your success in the field of your career in competitive BMX Cycle racing ?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
My hero and coach Thomas Allier, he was always been my favorite one, like rider and now I have the great opportunity to work every day with him and learning all that he shares with us.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You broke your ankle the year before the 2012 Olympic Games. How you were able to overcome such a physical injury/setback and what advice you can give to fellow sports person in a similar situation?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
It is all about energies, believe in yourself and when life make you have a crash, it is only to prove that you’re strong enough for the come back and keep going. If you don’t believe in yourself how you will be able to achieve yours goals? Everything is possible in this life till you’re alive.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With exceptional hard work you are credited with all your achievements. Do you believe that does the hand of Providence (Supreme Being) played a role in your success?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
Since you born, you have the opportunity to been whatever you want, and I believe if you do everything well, have respect for life, nature and for the others human being your life will be balanced and “Energies, Gods, Supreme being or whatever” will be with you and play in your favor.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Ms. Stefany Hernandez:
Thanks for the interview, I hope you enjoy it and remember to believe in yourself and give your all in achieving your goals.
To know latest about Stefany Hernandez check out on her social networks:
- https://twitter.com/hernandez469
- https://www.facebook.com/hernandez469
- https://vimeo.com/user5424576
- https://instagram.com/hernandez469/
Women Fitness Team thanks Stefany Hernandez for giving her valuable time for this interview and quenching the thirst of her fans to know more about her and made this interview happen.
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Finess and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.