Renata Hernandez’s Inspiring Journey of Leadership, Service & Physical Therapy | Inspiring Teens Magazine

Inspiring Teens Magazine
Aug 9
7 min read

Renata Hernandez – Minnesota

Nomination by Ayesha Ibrahim

Photography by Hannah Lu

Nomination: Renata is an extraordinary teen whose leadership is matched only by her giant heart. A varsity athlete and captain in cross country, track, and alpine skiing, her true strength shows in how deeply she cares for others. As Community Service President, a professional lifeguard, and ski instructor, her kindness lights up every space. Through her clinic internship and work coaching children with disabilities at Courage Kenny and Padraig’s Place, her gentle patience and sweet, encouraging spirit empower everyone around her. She leads not just with talent, but with immense grace and joy.

Renata Hernandez’s Inspiring Journey of Leadership, Service & Physical Therapy | Inspiring Teens Mag
Renata Hernandez’s Inspiring Journey of Leadership, Service & Physical Therapy | Inspiring Teens Mag
Renata Hernandez’s Inspiring Journey of Leadership, Service & Physical Therapy | Inspiring Teens Mag
Renata Hernandez’s Inspiring Journey of Leadership, Service & Physical Therapy | Inspiring Teens Mag
Renata Hernandez’s Inspiring Journey of Leadership, Service & Physical Therapy | Inspiring Teens Mag

What other inspiring qualities, achievements, or experiences about you, not mentioned in your nomination, would you like readers to know about?

The role of faith throughout my life has inspired me and led me all my life. My faith has guided me through the harder moments like injuries. But it has also reminded me to stay humble when celebrating exciting moments as well.

What inspired you to pursue a career in physical therapy?

Dealing with my own sports injuries introduced me to physical therapists who truly cared. They didn't just help me heal, they guided me through a journey of frustration and setbacks with kindness and compassion, allowing me to heal safely and continue doing the sport I love.

How have the people you volunteer with helped shape your perspective on life?

Being part of these incredible programs is so fulfilling, with many of the children I coach acting as inspirations for me in times of hardship. Supporting young athletes with disabilities has taught me to view life’s obstacles with more clarity, recognizing the miniscule scale of my problems when seen through the lens of someone experiencing greater adversity.

What goals, dreams, or projects are you currently working toward right now?

Embarking on my journey towards becoming a physical therapist brings me endless joy, and I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to learn alongside the skilled, wonderful mentors I shadow and the inspiring people I volunteer with every day.

What are you most excited to learn as you continue preparing for your future career?

I am so excited to continue my knowledge of anatomy and exercise science and apply those principles in real world settings. Above all, I look forward to using this deeper understanding to create individualised care that helps others to recover from injuries and reach their full potential.

Is there a moment during your volunteer work that confirmed you were on the right path?

Each moment during volunteering where I get to experience children making both big and small milestones reminds me how rewarding the experience is and how happy I am to be a part of it. One moment in particular was when one of the children I coached had found out and told me he had qualified for a national track meet. Being a part of his training and support team brought me so much happiness and confirmed that I am on the right path.

What could talk about for hours, and why does it matter so much to you?

I could talk for hours about how much meaningful community service has positively impacted my life. Coaching wonderful kids with disabilities in track and skiing brings me so much joy and inspires everything I do.

What have the children you coach taught you about courage and perseverance?

The strong mentality of the kids I coach has helped me recognize that I am capable of hard things and their neverending positivity motivates me to continue persisting through hard training to see deserved results.

How do you hope your future career will allow you to continue serving others?

I hope that my future career as a physical therapist will help me care for others on a deeper, more impactful level and give me opportunities to provide others with the same wonderful care I was given during my own recovery.

What is something you have learned about yourself as a leader or influencer in the past year?

Leading track and cross country as a varsity captain has shown me that building strong connections is what empowers a great team. Beyond all the training, watching the team truly support and uplift one another has been the most rewarding part of the journey.

What advice would you give to someone who is stepping into a leadership role for the first time?

I would advise people who are stepping into their first leadership role to find mentors in whatever field they aspire to participate in, and ultimately choose a role that they love and feel passionate about.

How do you balance athletics, academics, volunteering, and still make time for yourself?

As a teen, it can be so stressful to balance athletics, academics, volunteering, and still have time to spend with the people you love. I wouldn't be able to do it without the support from the people around me. Asking teachers, mentors, or even peers for help organizing my schedule has been so beneficial and makes everything more manageable.

What is one of your favorite memories with the person who nominated you, or something about them that means a lot to you?

My favorite memory with my mom is our tradition of watching the sunrise together on the last morning of every vacation. We’ve shared this special moment for over ten years, and it’s a tradition that I value and always look forward to.

What is one lesson your mom has taught you that you'll carry with you for the rest of your life?

My mom continually leads our family by example, teaching me the importance of lived faith. Through her moral guidance and gentle reminders to trust in God, she inspires me to navigate life with faith and love.

Tell us about the person who took your photo — how did you connect, and what was that experience like?

I had the kindest senior photographer, Hannah Lu. She made the entire experience smooth and completely stress free. We bonded right away over our shared love for animals, music, and outdoor adventures. Her gentle guidance throughout the shoot made my senior photos such a sweet memory.

Are you part of a model team with your photographer? If so, tell us about it. How did you first hear about Inspiring Teens Magazine? Why does being part of Inspiring Teens Magazine matter to you?

I heard about Inspiring Teens Magazine from a family member who suggested a nomination. For me, being a part of the program means continuing my journey as a leader and joining a program marked by so many inspiring role models.

What message do you hope readers take away after learning about your journey?

I hope that readers see the importance of finding your passion and being able to align that passion with meaningful service that provides opportunities to use your gifts in service of others.

How will earning a scholarship through Inspiring Teens Magazine help you?

A scholarship from Inspiring Teens Magazine will help me advance my mission of serving others by investing in my college education. This support that would be put forth in my education will allow me to advance in doing the things I love and help me to aid people even more as I study to become a physical therapist.

What made you say “yes” to the Inspiring Teens challenge, and how did you feel when you first started?

I was excited to agree to the Inspiring Teens challenge when I learned about the numerous leadership opportunities they offer. At first, I was so nervous for the process to begin, but the team at Inspiring Teen Magazine made the entire process smooth and enjoyable.

What is one moment during the challenge so far that has made you feel proud or realize you were growing - in confidence, mindset, or taking action?

The support from my friends and family upon hearing of my participation in the program helped me realize the incredible community I have and gave me newfound confidence and motivation to continue on my leadership journey inside and outside of the challenge.

If another teen is thinking about joining the Inspiring Teens Magazine Leadership Challenge but feels unsure, what would you tell them?

I would advise them to go for it! You never know what amazing opportunities it could provide you with, and trying something new is always beneficial for your development.

Beyond votes or placements, what are you hoping to gain from this experience—and what would make you feel truly successful at the end?

I hope to find more ways to connect with a wide range of leaders and find chances for me to spread my influence beyond the small confines of my own community. I would consider true success to be if my story encouraged others to devote themselves more deeply to service or helped someone gain a greater perspective on difficulties they may be facing.

Is there anyone you'd like to thank for helping you get where you are today?

I want to thank my family and friends for all their support both in this process and in my life. I especially wish to thank my mom, who has encouraged me through every obstacle.

If you had nothing to do and all day to do it, where would we find you?

If I had all day to do my favorite activities you would definitely find me at the lake swimming and tanning with friends!

What is up next for you that you are super excited about?

I am so excited for my senior year of high school!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be where you are today?

Find something that you truly love to do and share it with others.

What is your favorite activity or pastime that was not in your nomination?

I love to stay active and go on hikes with my friends.

Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?

I love and am good at braiding hair and giving my team mates fun hairstyles on meet days!

3 Things on your bucket list

Goat yoga 2.) Sky Diving 3.) Skiing on a real mountain