July’s featured member is Olivia Graves, a 24 year old retail worker who has made amazing progress in her fitness journey- not just with her body, but with her mindset as well. Read on to learn more about Olivia and prepare to be inspired to start (or stick to) your fitness journey too!
Q: What got you started working out?
A: I was tired of feeling weak doing just the simplest of tasks. I had no energy and I felt like I hadn’t pushed myself to do better, so I decided to drop the ball, join a new gym, and told myself this is the last time i’m giving up. Been back since December and been there almost everyday since. I’m back to loving the gym.
Q: How many days per week do you typically work out?
A: 5-6
Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: HIIT training
Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: Bad answer. Terrible answer…… but….. Starbucks… Iced Caramel Machiatto lol
Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: Getting there. There’s days where I don’t want to go, but I do anyway because that’s not how progress is made. Also, stepping out of my comfort zone and doing the exercises I hate the most.
Q: How do you stay motivated to work out consistently?
A: I used to have a really bad habit of quitting after not seeing progress, which makes no sense. I’ve just completely changed my mindset. I go because it makes me feel better and the results just follow. I also tend to tell myself there’s no point in quitting — this is where I am, this is where my body is right now — people can see where I am, regardless if i’m in the gym or not, so I would rather them see me in the gym trying to better myself than being upset about my progress.
Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about starting or just getting started in the gym?
A: Stay away from the scale. Take photos instead. Don’t have “weight-loss” as your main source of going. Quit setting unrealistic goals. Find workouts that you enjoy doing that keep you coming back. Make the gym your alone time — you get an entire headspace to yourself, with your favorite music, endorphins, and at the end of it all, you always feel better.
Q: What fitness accomplishment are you most proud of?
A: I just squatted 185 the other day. 3 sets of 2. I wouldn’t even touch the rack when I started. Now i’m learning to love it.
Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: Still terrified of the dark….. yes, i’m an adult.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: Everyone is nice. It’s a nice little community we’ve all built and I’ve never met anyone in there not willing to help someone else.
Olivia, we are so proud of you for all the progress you’ve made so far, and can’t wait to see how much you’re going to continue to make! Thanks for letting us be a part of your journey!