Susana Torres Arenas is a student of the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management at Johan Cruyff Institute with Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and at the same time she competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship held in Marbella
Balancing the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management in Barcelona with preparing for a World Championship in Ironman 70.3 is not common, but for Susana Torres Arenas it was the most coherent way to bring together her two worlds: sport and marketing. Her time at Johan Cruyff Institute coincides with one of the most important challenges of her sporting career.
After successfully completing the Ironman 70.3 Marbella, Susana explains the reasons that led her to study the Master at Johan Cruyff Institute, and how she combines her athlete profile with student life.
You come from the world of communication and marketing. What made you take the leap to the University Master’s Degree in Sports Management at Johan Cruyff Institute?
I have a background in communication, but sport management covers many other areas. I believe that to work in the sports industry you need to understand different fields, such as finance or human resources. I also believe that Spain is a great place to learn about the sports industry — it’s a growing sector with a long tradition. This master attracted me because it includes many topics I wanted to learn about that I couldn’t find as easily in Colombia.
“Currently I’m here studying this Master because it’s the best way to prepare myself for the sports industry.”
What motivated you to come study in Barcelona and how has your experience living and studying here been?
I had always wanted to live in Barcelona — it was one of my biggest dreams for a long time. I have family here, and a few years ago I came on a trip and remember thinking that I wanted to live in this city someday and study here. And now I’m fortunate to be living in this city, studying something I’m passionate about and that will help me grow professionally. I think it’s an incredible city, a place that truly breathes sport, where sport feels like a lifestyle and not an obligation. I’m very happy to be here.
What attracted you most to Johan Cruyff Institute?
What attracted me most — and one of the main reasons I heard about Johan Cruyff Institute — is that a friend of mine had already completed the Master and really enjoyed it. Word of mouth is very important because I was able to hear about the experience firsthand. But even before that, I already had great references. I knew it was a very complete Master that covers very different aspects of the sports industry. And now that I’m studying it, I can say that the in-person experience adds even more: you meet people from different niches who share a passion for sport.
You completed the 70.3 World Championship in Marbella. What role does sport play in the way you learn?
Sport plays a very important role in the way I learn, in the way I live and work. I’m lucky to work on topics related to sport, specifically triathlon, which is what I practice. And when I found out that the World Championship was going to be held here in Marbella, in Spain, I said to myself that I had to do everything possible to qualify and come study this year.
“So that was my life plan for this year: to race the Ironman 70.3 World Championship and start studying the Master.”
I believe sport teaches you a lot; it gives you structure, which is the best tool we can have, because triathlon consists of three disciplines and that means organizing your time to train, study, work, and keep a balanced lifestyle.
You’ve experienced sport from the inside, as an athlete and as a marketing professional. How do those two perspectives complement each other?
Understanding how the world of sports marketing works and having firsthand experience as an athlete is something you don’t learn in a classroom.
“I think I learned very well how to put myself in the athlete’s shoes when working in marketing — and also the other way around.”
This Master allows me to complement my profile as an athlete and as a marketing professional. They’re two things that complement each other and allow me to connect much better with sporting events and brands, and to build good relationships with athletes as well. I really enjoy finding the balance between those two worlds because sometimes I’m happy to be at an event as an athlete, and other times I love being on the organizational side, in logistics, communication, and marketing. I’m very fortunate to have turned my passion into my job.
