All journeys have to start somewhere. Olivia Podscianski’s journey began in elementary school, where she says that despite trying maintain a healthy lifestyle, she was always a ‘bigger girl’. A new relationship in her teen years prompted her to abandon her healthy habits, resorting instead to inactivity and eating large amounts of take-out food. 

“My partner and I moved out west to experience the adventures of Alberta, but didn’t end up ‘adventuring’ at all. We just worked, ate, and slept. I developed some extremely unhealthy habits and gained a lot of weight very quickly.” 

One day, Olivia’s father came to visit, and they decided to try a hike. Olivia could barely do it, as her legs ached and became swollen. She says she had never seen her father cry before until that day, and realized that she needed a change in her life. 

Olivia moved back home to Ontario, and made an appointment with her doctor right away. 

He weighed me, and the scale said I was 300 pounds. I didn’t cry, I didn’t say anything. I just went home, hopped on the computer, and began researching ways I could begin changing my life. I was 17 years old and was ready to fix things.

It was at this time that Olivia joined her first gym - a GoodLife in Toronto. She started an Instagram page (@livshealth_) to catalogue her efforts and keep herself accountable. Then she got to work. 

While studying nursing, Olivia continued investing in fitness and healthy eating habits, gradually losing weight and building muscles she didn’t know she had. By 2020, she was more dedicated than ever to herself and her fitness. She met friends who introduced her to weightlifting and coached her on proper form, which is when she says she really started to feel a passion for exercise. 

Then the pandemic hit. 

“It was devastating at first. I was really focused on my fitness grind at the time, and then that outlet was taken away. Thankfully, I was able to keep a lot of the habits I had built over the years, and decided to start running while the gyms were closed.” 

Olivia continued to lose weight despite the pandemic gym closures, and was more ready than ever to hit the gym when they reopened July2021. 

“I couldn’t believe how happy and supportive everybody is at my gym. I’ve already made like 20 new friends. I know most of the Associates’ names, and just feel so happy to be back in this community. I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been.” 

After four years of ups and downs, Olivia now weighs 150 pounds, and says she’s hoping to lose another 10 to hit her goal. She now focuses much of her gym time on weightlifting and cardio, which she says is the best it’s ever been. 

“This is the happiest I’ve been in my entire life, and I’m just so proud of myself and excited to be back at it again.”