Athlete Spotlight - Olivia Sutherland Torres
"Stick with it. Strength doesn't happen overnight."
Our members come from all kinds of backgrounds, but they all share a commitment to getting better. Olivia Sutherland Torres is a perfect example of that.
By day, Olivia works as a Project Manager for an automatic door company in Wallingford, overseeing installations of automatic handicap sliding and swinging doors throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. On top of that, she serves in the Air Force Reserve as a Medical Logistician and her unit's Fitness Program Manager at Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts.
Needless to say Olivia stays busy. Her weekdays start early, beginning her work day at 6:30 am, then heading straight to the gym, where she trains from 4:15 pm until 7:00 pm. Olivia joined Strength Haven Athletics in the summer of 2024 when Coach Ray (aka Mr. Olivia Torres) joined our team. At the time, she was also looking for a gym that would allow her to train seriously while sharing space with her husband and the community. "I was looking for a gym that had everything I needed to train in a community that allowed me to be in their space at the same time," Olivia said.
Over the last couple of years, Olivia has loved watching our gym continue to grow, expand, and invest back into its members. She says that more space, more equipment, and more opportunities for a diverse range of athletes has created an environment where members could pursue their goals without limits. For Olivia, one of the biggest draws was the Olympic lifting program. "I especially loved that Olympic lifting classes were offered," she shared. "When I first joined, I took full advantage of them, and now my programming includes it four times a week."
Having dedicated space and equipment for Olympic lifting made a huge difference in her training. Since joining Strength Haven, Olivia has hit new personal records in both her clean and jerk and snatch, which has increased her confidence on the competition floor.
When asked what advice she would give someone who is where she once was, her answer was simple: "Stick with it. Strength doesn't happen overnight. I would also encourage others to fuel your body properly to perform properly. What you put into it reflects [in] your output."
We love Olivia's commitment to putting in the work and pursuit of growth. Progress takes time, patience, consistency, and the willingness to show up even when results aren't immediate. Olivia is someone who balances a career, military service, and competitive goals while continuing to invest in herself and encourage others along the way.
Keep putting in the work, Olivia, and thanks for being a part of our story. We can't wait to see what's next. ๐ช๐๏ธโ๏ธ
