Today we’d like to introduce you to Riho Maruyama.
Hi Riho, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Here’s a version that ties those chapters together and emphasizes perseverance:
My story definitely didn’t follow the timeline I imagined.
Going into my freshman year of college, I decided to try out for the BYU women’s rugby team—even though I had never played rugby before. It was completely outside my comfort zone, but it ended up changing my life. Over the next five years, I competed at the collegiate level, won two national championships, and learned that some of the greatest opportunities come from saying yes to things that scare you.
During my freshman year, I also met my husband, and not long after, we got married. While most people thought we were moving too fast, we knew it was the right decision for us.
Halfway through college, we found out we were expecting our daughter. Becoming parents while we were still full-time students completely changed our lives, but it also gave us a deeper purpose.
After having our daughter, I made the decision to return to rugby and finish my final collegiate season. A lot of people doubted it was possible to balance motherhood, marriage, school, and Division I athletics, but my husband and I were determined to prove it could be done. We both returned to collegiate rugby, and with the incredible support of our families, friends, and teammates, we were able to raise our daughter while finishing our college careers together.
After graduation, I found a new passion in hybrid fitness. I began training for HYROX competitions and discovered a love for running that I never expected. This past year, I completed my first two marathons and continue to challenge myself through endurance racing, showing others that you don’t have to leave your goals behind when life changes—you simply learn to chase them differently.
Along the way, I started sharing our journey online. What began as documenting our life as young college parents has grown into a community centered around family, fitness, faith, and pursuing meaningful goals. Today, I love partnering with brands and creating content that inspires others to embrace life’s unexpected path, because sometimes the best stories are the ones you never planned to write.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. Every season has come with its own challenges.
Getting married young meant learning how to build a marriage while still figuring out who we were as individuals. Becoming parents in the middle of college brought financial stress, sleepless nights, and the constant challenge of balancing school, work, athletics, and raising our daughter. There were many moments where quitting would have been the easier option.
Returning to collegiate rugby after having a baby wasn’t easy either. Physically, I had to rebuild my strength and confidence, and mentally I had to overcome the doubts—both from others and from myself. There were days when I questioned whether I could really do it all.
More recently, stepping into endurance sports has stretched me in new ways. Training for HYROX and completing my first marathons has taught me resilience, discipline, and humility. I’ve dealt with injuries, setbacks, disappointing races, and moments where things didn’t go as planned, but those experiences have taught me that growth rarely comes from the easy seasons.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the hard moments because they’ve shaped who I am. They’ve taught me that success isn’t about having a perfect path—it’s about continuing to move forward, adapting when life changes, and trusting that every challenge is preparing you for what’s next.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work has evolved over the years, but it’s always centered around helping and inspiring people.
Professionally, I’ve worn a few different hats. I’m a certified fitness coach with years of experience helping people build strength, confidence, and healthier lifestyles. I’ve also worked in social media marketing and content strategy, helping brands grow through authentic storytelling, creative campaigns, and community building.
Today, much of my work focuses on creating content on my own platforms, where I share our life as a family—from motherhood and marriage to fitness, faith, and everyday moments. I love partnering with brands in ways that feel genuine and creating content that people can truly connect with rather than simply advertising a product.
But above every title, the role I’m most proud of is being a mom. My daughter is the reason behind so many of the decisions I make and the person who motivates me to become better every day. Whether I’m training for a HYROX race, creating content, or working with a brand, my greatest goal is to build a life that she can look up to.
I think what sets me apart is that I don’t just share the highlights—I share the journey. My audience has watched me navigate marriage as a college student, become a young mom, return to collegiate athletics after having a baby, and now pursue endurance sports and entrepreneurship. I want people to feel like they’re growing alongside our family, and I hope they leave my content feeling encouraged to chase big goals while staying rooted in what matters most.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riho.maruyama?igsh=enMzOXN3NnNoN2dq&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D6fg4aaPw/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rihomaruyama?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
