November 1, 2002

Chantal Dicaire: The Power of Support

• Name: Chantal Dicaire
• Age: 27
• Height: 5’ 6"
• Residence: Papineauville, Quebec, Canada
• Competitive level: CBBF National and IFBB World

Chantal Dicaire is certainly making herself noticed in the world of fitness. As a former gymnast, she admits to having a competitive advantage over other athletes, but says she initially struggled with another performance barrier.

"When I started in 1999, I was shy on stage and with the people around me when competing," she says. "Year after year I got more confident because I wanted so badly to do this sport, no matter what kind of obstacles I should meet."

That’s where this Freedom 55 employee says the power of support came in. "There are two people that I depend on the most in my sport. The first one is my boyfriend Benoît," she explains, and describes him as her "training boss" and biggest supporter. "I know it is not always easy to support an athlete on a regular basis, especially while living with her at the same time," she adds. "The second person is my coach, Marc Sauvestre. Marc is the reason why I am at this level of competition today." Chantal says Marc accepted her as she was and transformed her weakness as a competitor into her advantage. "At the beginning it was not that easy, my shyness on the stage was my worst enemy."

Having recently competed at the IFBB World Championships in the Czech Republic, Chantal says that now more than ever, she knows she is not alone. She acknowledges the support from her community and sponsor, Sportlab. "Since I live in a small town, almost everybody knows about the sport I practice. So, when they knew that I was going to the Worlds in the Czech Republic, they responded with enthusiasm to help me raise money," she says.

Chantal says her family also keeps her going, especially her brother who has taught her a valuable life-lesson. "My brother Miguel gave me the strength to succeed in fitness. He has been a model to follow for me," she says, and explains he was involved in a serious accident in 1999 and was told he would never walk again. "I was in shock and very close to stopping everything. But he promised himself that he would walk again and go to one of my competitions by walking, not rolling. He kept his word and won his fight against his injuries. His mind was set and focused to succeed. I love you Mig."

Chantal’s passion for the sport began in 1999 while channel surfing. When she saw the athletes and components of fitness on TV, she immediately thought it was a perfect fit for her athletic background. "I am an ex-gymnast, and I always loved to dance. That is what I want to do, why not try this sport?" she explains.

The 27-year-old athlete says she enjoys reaching new heights, setting and surpassing personal challenges, and mastering new skills. "Fitness is a sport that requires a lot of discipline," she says. "I am never satisfied and always need new objectives and targets to get higher and higher."

Like all other things in life, Chantal says fitness can test a person’s will. She says the outcome can be either negative or positive, depending on how you choose to handle the situation. "The flipside of fitness is that you are a perfectionist in your personal and professional life and are never satisfied with anything. Nothing is fast enough or good enough. This puts a lot of pressure on the person I am living with and people I work with."

Chantal says a further challenge she’s faced comes from another well-known eastern icon, Nadia Moussa. "She is an excellent fitness competitor -- talented and gifted. You would not believe how much I wanted to be like her. I realized that it would give me nothing to consider her as a rival. Besides, we have the same coach." So instead of being intimidated, Chantal decided to learn from her fellow competitor. "This year in Winnipeg, I decided to get closer to her and try to change my way of seeing her. Today, we exchange a lot about our training and routines, we get along well together and are the best of fitness friends. Thank you, Nadia, for helping me out in my preparation for the Worlds."

Aside from her development as an athlete, Chantal has used the sport to overcome another barrier. "I am not fluent in English, but there is always a way to understand each other," she explains. "I took English courses and still do to help me out in my sport and also in my career. I love this sport and I am ready to get better."

Although Chantal started off as a stage-shy athlete, she is rapidly developing a style of her own. Again, she attributes this to her supporters, but admits her prowess has also helped her progress. When asked what type of animal she would describe herself as -- the answer came naturally. "I think I have some kind of a tiger style; agility, power (strength), flexibility. I am a person with a very strong personality. If a training session does not turn well, I get mad at myself and sometimes I kick things. After the rage is over, I get back on my feet and work hard to get what I want to accomplish. A tiger will never let her prey go until it is hers."

But Chantal has not let her desire to succeed interfere with her values. "I am a natural athlete (drug free) and I work hard to be successful," she says. "It’s always really deceiving to get beaten by non-natural athletes. Fitness is not bodybuilding; it should stay a feminine sport."

It is the combination of her drive, values and recognition for the support of others that makes this lady one world-class athlete.

Congrats Chantal!

...Denyse Johnson
denyse@seriousaboutfitness.com

Editor’s note: Having interviewed Chantal, I don’t think she gives herself enough credit for all the work that she has done. I mean, let’s be serious for a minute. Although I am sure both Benoit and Marc have been irreplaceable in what they have done for her, I’m willing to bet neither of them would look as good in a two-piece, or could pull off a routine quite like her.

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