FitHAUS Featured Athlete Olivia Groulx
We are so excited to feature Olivia Groulx this month as our FitHAUS Featured Athlete. Olivia is no stranger to being incredibly athletic, but she has impressed us in a big way for the past several months. Fun fact: Olivia is recent graduate from Union College in New York where she played D1 Hockey…and received a full ride scholarship to play! As someone with natural athletic ability, Olivia has taken her work ethic off the ice, into the gym. She is incredibly strong, and we’ve had so much fun getting to know her and see her progress in the gym. Olivia, thank you for sharing your story with us! It is so fun to learn more about you and see photos of you in action on the ice! You inspire us so much!
Please read below to learn more about Olivia and what an incredible young woman and athlete she is!
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself…
I am a recent graduate from Union College in New York where I majored in Managerial Economics with a minor in French. During my four years at Union, I was part of the Division 1 women’s ice hockey team where I played defense.
Being from Canada, hockey was nearly first nature for me as I started playing the moment I could walk basically. All throughout my childhood I was a multi-sport athlete, but chose to play hockey at the highest level after being offered a full scholarship.
2. What made you decide to join FitHAUS? What were you doing prior to coming to FH?
After having played Division 1 hockey for the past 4 years and having been in a gym for as long as I can remember, I wanted to find a gym where the atmosphere is competitive and the workouts were challenging. What I love most about FitHAUS is that it offers a variety of different workouts and classes. I have always done high level strength and conditioning and pride myself for the skill and strength I have in the gym, so the fact that they offered this specific workout was amazing and very exciting. I have done a few CrossFit before at gyms from where I live but hopefully soon will get back into it.
3. What is your favorite thing about FitHAUS?There are so many aspects about FitHAUS that I love, but the ones that stick out for me most is the inclusivity, the compete levels, and the support that is present. Everyone is there to work hard, push themselves, and get better every day but they are also rooting for you every step of the way and push one another to their best potential. It is such a healthy and fun atmosphere!! I also love how every workout challenges you to step out of your comfort zone with different movements.
4. What are some of the accomplishments related to physical fitness that you are most proud of. Do you have any fitness goals moving forward?
Over the years, I have done workouts tailored more towards hockey and the muscles used most in hockey. Which is very quad and leg, as well as core oriented. I have always been very strong all around but I think being able to combine strength as well as being very well conditioned is one of my biggest accomplishments. Being an athlete, you have to be able to withstand a lot of conditioning and I think my perseverance and determination to be in the best shape in both categories has always been something I pride myself in.
One of my biggest strength goal that I have been working towards sounds silly but I have never been good at chin ups/ pull ups. It’s just not a movement that hockey players really work on. So, my goal is to be able to do unassisted pull ups!
5. How has being physically active bettered your life outside of the gym?
Physical fitness has truly shaped the person I am today. I know I talk a lot about hockey but playing at such a high level, and working out at such a high calibre, allows you to have balance in your life. Working out to me isn’t just to “look good” it is more about feeling good. It gives me an automatic boost of energy as well as makes me so proud of myself, especially when you accomplish a new goal. Not to mention, the skills of time management and accountability are invaluable as for me, I feel more productive and healthier all around.
6. What is your favorite class or movement/skill? What is your least favorite movement?
I love all movements, skills, and workouts, but I have to say my favourite are leg days! Like I said, my strongest muscles are in my legs and so I love lifting heavy and having some fun with it! Unpopular opinion also, I LOVE cardio of all kinds. I find doing cardio just challenges your brain so much more and your mental toughness and you leave the gym feeling so proud!
If I have to choose one movement/ class of exercising I am least fond of, it would be pull ups and push ups, simply because they are my weakest movement.
7. What advice would you give to someone looking to join FITHAUS?
Advice I would give to people looking to join FitHAUS would to just do it. FitHAUS has been the best decision I have made since moving to Minnesota because it is just the most amazing atmosphere and I have never once dreaded waking up to go to a workout! Advice I have for younger kids looking to start working out and challenging themselves is to take it one day at a time. A saying I tell myself every day and when I had the toughest of weeks playing Division 1 hockey and being a student athlete is “carpe diem”, take it one day at a time. You may not be the best in the room but you can be the best version of yourself at the time! Never give up and keep pushing to meet your goals!!