Curt James
12-25-2010, 10:46 PM
5 Questions with Cathy LeFrancois
By Shawn Ray
1) First off, Congratulations on winning the NY Pro! Did you do anything special for your contest prep this time around?
A) First, I have been training hard and eating all my meals consistently from day one since I decided to come back into bodybuilding. Something I never did during my 20 years of training and being consistent has been the key.
As previously known, In 2008 I've worked with George Farrah, IFBB Pro and did well with zero regrets. George, provided the necessary tools in 2008 to help me advance a step further than my previous outings. In 2009 my mentality changed, seeking more was a must. The passion to win, the desire to advance and be on top became a burning sensation inside of me!
I knew and felt I had the will to do better, but there was a missing link. For the life of me, working with George was a great experience but there were still things missing. I could not quite understand him and I didn't meet eye to eye on certain issues.
Please believe me when I say I am forever grateful for the time and the experience I shared and gained from George. My issues were a lot deeper than words can begin to express. My heart yearned for more and I did not foresee him as having the answers required.
Everything happens for a reason. We go through life having others enter for a short time and sometimes others enter our life lasting a lifetime. Whether it was a sign from God, I felt my stay with George had expired.
I still had the urge to wait, it did come at a cost, my placing at The Ms. International was a complete disappointment, but sometimes to move forward you have to pay the price by taking few steps back. As a result of those few steps back it allowed me to reevaluate myself. In doing so, I knew focusing and keeping my eyes on the prize could only produce a great response. And as you can see, I displayed my best physique ever at the 2009 NY PRO event! It was worth the wait because this brought me a new true friend, Iris Kyle, and her expertise helped bring out the best in me!
2) It was not too long ago you threw your hat into the Pro Figure arena with not much success. We fast forward and you're finding yourself in the winner's circle again! What's the main difference between the two?
A) I did like the look of figure being small and fit. I looked great in a pair of tight jeans but didn't like training like a girl! I didn't do it to go win a show. I did it to keep me in the industry.
I took a step back and put my life all together. I was planning to be back one day and stronger. I wanted my career and this unique Cathy Lefrancois back to her maximum potential and a win show! Bring back some good to the sport.
In Figure I didn't have any goals. I was not going to win any show. I'm getting too old compared to lot of them and I think being over 35 -40 years old to be a figure girl is, "Hello woman, wake up yourself!!"
In bodybuilding I can dream to win a show and the older I get the better I get! More muscle gain, maturity and your fans club grows with it because most of the girls up there are like me, they train for 20 years!
3) Heading back to the Ms. Olympia this September, what are you honest expectations on how you'll do and what are some of your personal goals regarding this show?
A) I would like to be in the top 5 again! I would love to be top 3 and be the one holding my friend Iris Kyle's hand.
I would like to receive the placing I really deserve. I liked last years show a lot. I should a be 4 or maybe 3 at least and the fun of it will be a bigger prize money! I could a get a lot done like put money aside for my retirement.
Some people say I'm crazy to not say I want to win the show and that I'm not positive enough but I'm realistic and down to earth. To beat our 5-time Ms. Olympia champion Iris Kyle she would have to be retired!
So when are you going to retire, Ms. O? Just kidding!
4) What kind of work did you do when you started? How has life changed for you since then?
A) First, I was working for Northern light, supplement company and nutrition sport fitness for years. Second, I owned clothing and supplements stores and I had my own clothing line that I was selling all over Canada.
After I closed my company because I was burned out and was in a bad relationship I took a step back and decided to do what I wanted to be a bus driver for the city. But when the time came to become a driver I did a show and did great. And the division of woman bodybuilder lightweight was getting started so I had something I could dream of becoming, one of the best for this new division!
This was the question, my bodybuilding career or bus driver? After days of thinking, I got two emails; one from Lee Priest and one from you Shawn, saying that if I want to be a good pro I needed to be here in California where all the photographers are and business.
Both of you were giving me the opportunity to... don't need to go in detail here, right, and I choose Priest. I thought Cathy Priest sounded better than Cathy Ray! hahahaha
5) What do you want to happen in Women's Bodybuilding that would make all your efforts and commitment to the sport worthwhile when you're done competing?
A) Like everybody will tell you, Shawn, the prize money! That will be fair to us to receive more prize money so we can expense money to make money like start some business, put money away for a retirement.
We work hard as well, we put a lot on our health to bring something so great to the stage. We are part of the show too. A lot of people love woman with muscle! I receive a lot of emails asking me why we don't see anything anymore in the magazine about us?
People want to see us again! But I do understand one thing here. Me, being a business woman for years and working for one of the biggest supplement companies; Gaspari Nutrition, I got to have some dignity. If I have a teacher or kids come to see me at one appearance and they want to look at my website or some picture of me, I will be proud to tell them go to http://www.cathylpriest.com/ and click on, because guess what? I don't have any naked or suggestive pictures!
Why a big name magazine Like Muscular Development or others would like someone doing naked video clip and dirty picture to be promote? Is that good for the magazine and our sport? No.
So if a girl wants to do that sort of stuff, fine but not in the IFBB.
I thought there were rules against that? Could you clarify that one for me Shawn?
So my point here is, why in the past if a woman was caught doing nude or, in the opinion of the IFBB, tasteless videos or pictures was suspended but now more and more are doing this kind of filth?
Wrestling, porn is all great if you are into that kind of thing (I am not) but it is not supposed to be in the IFBB and should not be. It detracts and brings the wrong people to the sport. The industry itself has a lot to do with this.
If the sponsorship and prize money were there to make any kind of living, a lot of these girls would not have to do those things to survive but I don't feel sorry for them, that's not my world.
What happens when "Muscle Elegance" magazine start? I tell you, it destroyed our sport!
I don't need to go in details with that. It was a turn off! Thank God we still have some good girls here like me and Iris Kyle! We can walk with dignity and are proud to be excellent leaders for the sport. And maybe if we put in the IFBB Rule Book the disqualification of that kind of pornographic stuff back in, we can bring back a healthy image to our sport and now!
Sponsors will to give us more money prizes and put us more in the magazine and companies would want them more to represent their products!
###
Radio show with Ray and Lefrancois: http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1492
"bigmikecox" on the MD board stated, "Back in the mid 80's, Erica Mes (she competed with Berry DeMay in mixed pairs) was suspended from the IFBB for appearing nude in the Dutch issue of playboy. Now, the IFFBB doesn't enforce the rule."
From http://forums.musculardevelopment.com/showthread.php/63312-Cathy-LeFrancois?p=1510019
Bob Cicherillo has made no qualms about criticizing female bodybuilders as being members of a division that is not viable and has in fact never been viable as a contributing to the ROI of the IFBB. Chic has also stated he wouldn't have accepted funds from so-called "shmo" sites to support FBB at the Tampa show in 2009.
It took only a ten days for siouxcountry.com and unrealmuscle.com to raise $17,000 for the IFBB female bodybuilding sponsorship of that competition.
While I agree with Lefrancois that negative feedback to pornographic activities may keep more conservative sponsors from sponsoring female bodybuilders it's also true that the IFBB itself is at least partially responsible for these "offenses" as they no longer enforce any anti-pornography rules.
Beni Lopez noted "the Ethics rules states the following: 'to assist the IFBB in the promotion of the sport by acting as a goodwill ambassador of the sport, promoting the sport in a positive manner, and protecting the good image and integrity of the sport and the IFBB.'"
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1nLdNGnrAes/TRa5ALhlGpI/AAAAAAAABxs/Jw2iG-xkWd0/s512/cl1.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1nLdNGnrAes/TRa5AaiujlI/AAAAAAAABxw/vV_UqRA-XE0/s512/cl2.jpg http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1nLdNGnrAes/TRa5AlV44fI/AAAAAAAABx0/3v611GsWQcc/s512/cl3.jpg
By Shawn Ray
1) First off, Congratulations on winning the NY Pro! Did you do anything special for your contest prep this time around?
A) First, I have been training hard and eating all my meals consistently from day one since I decided to come back into bodybuilding. Something I never did during my 20 years of training and being consistent has been the key.
As previously known, In 2008 I've worked with George Farrah, IFBB Pro and did well with zero regrets. George, provided the necessary tools in 2008 to help me advance a step further than my previous outings. In 2009 my mentality changed, seeking more was a must. The passion to win, the desire to advance and be on top became a burning sensation inside of me!
I knew and felt I had the will to do better, but there was a missing link. For the life of me, working with George was a great experience but there were still things missing. I could not quite understand him and I didn't meet eye to eye on certain issues.
Please believe me when I say I am forever grateful for the time and the experience I shared and gained from George. My issues were a lot deeper than words can begin to express. My heart yearned for more and I did not foresee him as having the answers required.
Everything happens for a reason. We go through life having others enter for a short time and sometimes others enter our life lasting a lifetime. Whether it was a sign from God, I felt my stay with George had expired.
I still had the urge to wait, it did come at a cost, my placing at The Ms. International was a complete disappointment, but sometimes to move forward you have to pay the price by taking few steps back. As a result of those few steps back it allowed me to reevaluate myself. In doing so, I knew focusing and keeping my eyes on the prize could only produce a great response. And as you can see, I displayed my best physique ever at the 2009 NY PRO event! It was worth the wait because this brought me a new true friend, Iris Kyle, and her expertise helped bring out the best in me!
2) It was not too long ago you threw your hat into the Pro Figure arena with not much success. We fast forward and you're finding yourself in the winner's circle again! What's the main difference between the two?
A) I did like the look of figure being small and fit. I looked great in a pair of tight jeans but didn't like training like a girl! I didn't do it to go win a show. I did it to keep me in the industry.
I took a step back and put my life all together. I was planning to be back one day and stronger. I wanted my career and this unique Cathy Lefrancois back to her maximum potential and a win show! Bring back some good to the sport.
In Figure I didn't have any goals. I was not going to win any show. I'm getting too old compared to lot of them and I think being over 35 -40 years old to be a figure girl is, "Hello woman, wake up yourself!!"
In bodybuilding I can dream to win a show and the older I get the better I get! More muscle gain, maturity and your fans club grows with it because most of the girls up there are like me, they train for 20 years!
3) Heading back to the Ms. Olympia this September, what are you honest expectations on how you'll do and what are some of your personal goals regarding this show?
A) I would like to be in the top 5 again! I would love to be top 3 and be the one holding my friend Iris Kyle's hand.
I would like to receive the placing I really deserve. I liked last years show a lot. I should a be 4 or maybe 3 at least and the fun of it will be a bigger prize money! I could a get a lot done like put money aside for my retirement.
Some people say I'm crazy to not say I want to win the show and that I'm not positive enough but I'm realistic and down to earth. To beat our 5-time Ms. Olympia champion Iris Kyle she would have to be retired!
So when are you going to retire, Ms. O? Just kidding!
4) What kind of work did you do when you started? How has life changed for you since then?
A) First, I was working for Northern light, supplement company and nutrition sport fitness for years. Second, I owned clothing and supplements stores and I had my own clothing line that I was selling all over Canada.
After I closed my company because I was burned out and was in a bad relationship I took a step back and decided to do what I wanted to be a bus driver for the city. But when the time came to become a driver I did a show and did great. And the division of woman bodybuilder lightweight was getting started so I had something I could dream of becoming, one of the best for this new division!
This was the question, my bodybuilding career or bus driver? After days of thinking, I got two emails; one from Lee Priest and one from you Shawn, saying that if I want to be a good pro I needed to be here in California where all the photographers are and business.
Both of you were giving me the opportunity to... don't need to go in detail here, right, and I choose Priest. I thought Cathy Priest sounded better than Cathy Ray! hahahaha
5) What do you want to happen in Women's Bodybuilding that would make all your efforts and commitment to the sport worthwhile when you're done competing?
A) Like everybody will tell you, Shawn, the prize money! That will be fair to us to receive more prize money so we can expense money to make money like start some business, put money away for a retirement.
We work hard as well, we put a lot on our health to bring something so great to the stage. We are part of the show too. A lot of people love woman with muscle! I receive a lot of emails asking me why we don't see anything anymore in the magazine about us?
People want to see us again! But I do understand one thing here. Me, being a business woman for years and working for one of the biggest supplement companies; Gaspari Nutrition, I got to have some dignity. If I have a teacher or kids come to see me at one appearance and they want to look at my website or some picture of me, I will be proud to tell them go to http://www.cathylpriest.com/ and click on, because guess what? I don't have any naked or suggestive pictures!
Why a big name magazine Like Muscular Development or others would like someone doing naked video clip and dirty picture to be promote? Is that good for the magazine and our sport? No.
So if a girl wants to do that sort of stuff, fine but not in the IFBB.
I thought there were rules against that? Could you clarify that one for me Shawn?
So my point here is, why in the past if a woman was caught doing nude or, in the opinion of the IFBB, tasteless videos or pictures was suspended but now more and more are doing this kind of filth?
Wrestling, porn is all great if you are into that kind of thing (I am not) but it is not supposed to be in the IFBB and should not be. It detracts and brings the wrong people to the sport. The industry itself has a lot to do with this.
If the sponsorship and prize money were there to make any kind of living, a lot of these girls would not have to do those things to survive but I don't feel sorry for them, that's not my world.
What happens when "Muscle Elegance" magazine start? I tell you, it destroyed our sport!
I don't need to go in details with that. It was a turn off! Thank God we still have some good girls here like me and Iris Kyle! We can walk with dignity and are proud to be excellent leaders for the sport. And maybe if we put in the IFBB Rule Book the disqualification of that kind of pornographic stuff back in, we can bring back a healthy image to our sport and now!
Sponsors will to give us more money prizes and put us more in the magazine and companies would want them more to represent their products!
###
Radio show with Ray and Lefrancois: http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1492
"bigmikecox" on the MD board stated, "Back in the mid 80's, Erica Mes (she competed with Berry DeMay in mixed pairs) was suspended from the IFBB for appearing nude in the Dutch issue of playboy. Now, the IFFBB doesn't enforce the rule."
From http://forums.musculardevelopment.com/showthread.php/63312-Cathy-LeFrancois?p=1510019
Bob Cicherillo has made no qualms about criticizing female bodybuilders as being members of a division that is not viable and has in fact never been viable as a contributing to the ROI of the IFBB. Chic has also stated he wouldn't have accepted funds from so-called "shmo" sites to support FBB at the Tampa show in 2009.
It took only a ten days for siouxcountry.com and unrealmuscle.com to raise $17,000 for the IFBB female bodybuilding sponsorship of that competition.
While I agree with Lefrancois that negative feedback to pornographic activities may keep more conservative sponsors from sponsoring female bodybuilders it's also true that the IFBB itself is at least partially responsible for these "offenses" as they no longer enforce any anti-pornography rules.
Beni Lopez noted "the Ethics rules states the following: 'to assist the IFBB in the promotion of the sport by acting as a goodwill ambassador of the sport, promoting the sport in a positive manner, and protecting the good image and integrity of the sport and the IFBB.'"
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1nLdNGnrAes/TRa5ALhlGpI/AAAAAAAABxs/Jw2iG-xkWd0/s512/cl1.jpg http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1nLdNGnrAes/TRa5AaiujlI/AAAAAAAABxw/vV_UqRA-XE0/s512/cl2.jpg http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1nLdNGnrAes/TRa5AlV44fI/AAAAAAAABx0/3v611GsWQcc/s512/cl3.jpg