Riya Soni

Riya Soni is a University of Virginia student majoring in English on the pre-med track—and a passionate advocate for empowering women through strength training. Originally from Summit, New Jersey, Riya is the president and co-founder of Girls Who Lift at UVA, a student organization she helped create to provide a supportive, inclusive lifting community for female-identifying students.

Riya’s love for lifting began through rowing, a sport she pursued throughout high school. Strength training quickly became an essential part of her athletic journey and, just as importantly, a source of community and camaraderie with her teammates. When she arrived at UVA, she noticed that the gym environment was largely male-dominated, which inspired her to create the same kind of welcoming space she had once cherished.

Through Girls Who Lift, Riya has helped build a safe, empowering environment where women can lift confidently, connect with each other, and feel a true sense of belonging. Partnering with The Strength Initiative has been an exciting way to extend that mission into the Charlottesville community, using outreach and social media to help more women discover the life-changing benefits of lifting.

Outside of school and lifting, Riya enjoys reading, spending time with friends, and exploring new places. Whether in the gym or the classroom, she’s driven by a desire to create meaningful change and help women find strength—both physically and personally.