Olivia Ruiz, a 2019 graduate of San Marino High School, has continued her running career at PCC and also is active in creating a social media presence. Ruiz can be followed @RunningIntoStyle.
It’s among the most overused terms in a culture defined by overused terms, and San Marino High School graduate Olivia Ruiz is avoiding it like the proverbial plague.
It’s an “influencer,” loosely defined as someone who uses his or her celebrity, authority or relationship with an audience to affect the purchasing decisions of others.
Ruiz says she isn’t one, though it was originally her intent when she simultaneously launched a YouTube channel and Instagram page during her senior year at SMHS.
“I did originally start my page in hopes of becoming an influencer, but as time passed I wasn’t too fond of that term since it seemed very restrictive,” said Ruiz, who graduated in 2019. “Now I just post my outfit ideas along with things that show who I am, such as healthy eating and working out.”
Ruiz’s mother, Angie, helped her daughter come up with the name “Running Into Style,” a term that marries Olivia’s favorite pastimes of running and fashion. A record-setting member of the Titans’ cross-country and track squads while at SMHS, Ruiz was named most valuable runner in each sport following her junior and senior years. Ruiz also left SMHS as the school record-holder in the 800-meter run, traversing the two-lap race in 2 minutes, 17 seconds.
Now a sophomore at Pasadena City College, Ruiz was invited to run track for the Lancers and, while there, was asked to join the cross-country team as well. The COVID-19 pandemic has to this point put both seasons on hold, but Ruiz remains at the ready.
Though admittedly not her ultimate objective, Ruiz has been offered and accepted collaborations as an ambassador with the athletic apparel brand Lululemon.
“It’s amazing, since they are my favorite workout clothing company,” said Ruiz, who has also worked with Puma on apparel and Sun Bum with beach products.
The daughter of Angie and Jorge Ruiz, Olivia has a younger brother, Seth, who is a senior at SMHS and aspiring baseball player. Olivia is currently studying business marketing at PCC and hopes to transfer either to USC or Loyola Marymount to continue her running career.
Until then, as the saying goes, “It’s all about the Gram.”
“The reason I started in the first place was to show people who I am, and help inspire people that you can turn both of your passions into one,” Ruiz said. “It seems to me that a lot of people think you have to go with just one of your dreams or one of your passions, so I want to show people that you can do both. Whether it’s being an athlete and also wanting to be a chef or being a teacher and also wanting to be a designer, you can do both.”
