Track and field to TikTok star
Nestled among the scenic beauty of Cache Valley, Logan, known for Utah State University’s athletic spirit, has produced a new kind of star. Olivia Smith, once celebrated for her speed in the 400-meter dash, has sprinted into the digital arena, amassing nearly 60,000 followers on TikTok @oliviassmith8 and extending her influence on Instagram @oliviassmith. Her journey from collegiate athlete to social media influencer is a testament to how passion can redefine career paths, all while embracing her roots in Logan’s close-knit community.
“First of all, I had so much fun — probably the funnest I’ve ever had in my entire life. I would not trade my experience for the world,” Smith said.
Her athletic career was marked by significant achievements. Smith reflected on the teamwork and determination that propelled her to success.
“I believe I am fifth all-time in the 400-meter hurdles on the USU outdoor list,” Smith said. “Then, we were second all-time on the USU outdoor list for the 4×400-meter relay, as well as second all-time on the indoor list for the distance medley relay and third all-time on the indoor list for the indoor 4×400-meter relay.”
Growing up, Smith was “super big into soccer.” She wanted to play soccer in college, but as a COVID-19 grad, her opportunities were limited because seniors could return for another year.
“I knew I wanted to do some sport in college, but I didn’t know whether I was going to go for track or if I was going to do soccer first,” Smith said.
The landscape of college sports has seen dramatic change with the introduction of new opportunities for athletes. The 2021 introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness rights reshaped college athletics, allowing athletes like Smith to profit from their personal brand through endorsements, sponsorships and appearances.
“I started social media kind of just for fun,” Smith said. “When all of the NIL stuff came out, I was like, ‘OK, how can I monetize what I’m doing?’ That’s when I decided to get into social media.”
Her strategy evolved into creating content that resonates.
“You have to create content that people can share or save in the beginning,” Smith said. “Whether it’s educational content or relatable content that people are wanting to send to their friends, you need something that people can engage with.”
Autumn Kidd, Smith’s former teammate and now assistant track coach at Utah Tech University, recalled their shared experiences.
“We were both freshmen at the same time, and I think the only freshman walk-ons as well,” Kidd said. “We went through all of it together, which was awesome.”
Kidd highlighted a memorable moment from their athletic journey.
“We placed third, and we got the number two all-time Utah State record, and that was really big because we went into it almost last in the conference, and it was all over senior years, so that was the last race of our career for a lot of us, and we just ran out of our minds,” Kidd said. “Afterwards, we were more surprised than anyone else there, and it was so fun.”
Graduating with a degree in marketing and a minor in entrepreneurship in May 2024, Smith moved from Logan’s small-town vibe to Orem.
“I’ve honestly loved it so far. I was so nervous to move, but I think I was ready for a change,” Smith said.
Smith said her heart remains in Logan, where she often returns to cheer on her former teammates or to enjoy the trails around Logan Canyon. Smith still feels a strong connection to her former teammates.
“I still have teammates that I love so much that are still competing,” Smith said. “So, I keep in touch with them and like to follow along with what they’re doing and how they’re doing in their events.”
With her move to Orem, Smith’s social media strategy has also evolved.
“I realized that there really is a strategy to posting,” Smith said, emphasizing the importance of shareable content.
Her posts, now including running tips and lifestyle vlogs, have led to partnerships with brands like Nike, Clean Simple Eats, Taylor Farms and Trail Running.
“I have some super exciting partnerships coming up,” Smith said. “Social media has brought so many fun, cool opportunities.”
Her favorite type of content to post is her vlogs.
“I just think they’re so fun to make. I’d probably still say that my educational content does the best for me, but I think vlogs give people an opportunity to want to know you better and feel like they have a personal connection,” Smith said.
The life of an influencer requires a delicate balance. Smith is now training for her first marathon.
“It’s been honestly such a weird adjustment going from sprinting to marathon training,” Smith said. “I usually run four or five times a week, lift three times a week and then one of those days, I have a long run.”
She recognized the need for balance in her new life chapter.
“You’re going to make time for what you prioritize,” Smith said. “It all just comes down to what you’re prioritizing and what you enjoy doing because you’re going to make time for whatever you want.”
Kidd shared her perspective on Smith’s character.
“The thing I love most about Olivia is she’s so competitive, but she has the perfect balance of competitiveness and fun,” Kidd said. “Our 400 girls training group — we were so competitive at meets, but it was always well-intentioned, and we were always best friends before and after. There was the perfect balance of being super competitive in a competitive environment but also having fun and not taking it all that serious.”
Smith’s vision includes leveraging her platform, not just for personal gain but to inspire others to do what they love, even if they don’t have a clear plan yet.
“My dream goal would be to do social media full time,” Smith said. “And then I’ve always wanted to start my own business.”
In an age where social media can amplify negativity, Smith aims to be a beacon of positivity.
“I hope all of the things that I post on social media just make people inspired to get outside — enjoy nature — move their body,” Smith said.
Her influence is about more than numbers — it’s about fostering a community of positivity.
“I just want to be that positive outlet for people so that they can go to my page and just always expect that there’s going to be a happy post of me running or something about the sunshine or my bright colored outfits,” Smith said.
Despite the platform’s potential challenges, Smith has managed to keep her audience engaged without succumbing to negativity.
“Honestly, I’m super lucky, and my following has been super kind. I’ve really not gotten a ton of hate comments,” Smith said.
Smith also discussed her approach to handling criticism.
“I just don’t let the hate comments get to me. I think separating my worth from social media has been a big thing. I think I kind of have the mindset of most of the time people are good, and if people are rude, they’re probably just having a bad day,” Smith said.
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