Testimonial: Aim far, think big

A testimony by Mary-Pier Gaudet

It was on December 15 of the year 1983, in Ville-Marie, in the beautiful region of Témiscamingue, that my happy childhood began. However, when I was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at the age of 18 months, my life took a different turn. Nevertheless, my tireless good humor followed me through life's obstacles. Between homework, friends, the hospital and figure skating and dance classes, while I was torn between my parents' divorce and quarrels with my younger brother, no one could have detected my great inner discomfort. Struggling with a desire for personal fulfilment and fulfilment, I knew that my place was not there in this peaceful corner of the world. The conviction that I could achieve something special grew in me and finally convinced me that I should try my luck, somewhere, somewhere else...

It was only after my heart had hit its first pain that I had the courage to leave my part of the country to try my luck in the city. My biggest wish then was to become a professional dancer. I silently envy these pretty girls who we saw dancing on television, to the lively rhythms of popular music. With all my soul, I wanted to become one of them.

Newcomer to the big city, I had the look and the naivety of a child. This curiosity prompted me to explore and try everything: going out at night in the city's illuminated setting, and partying until sunrise. But what I thought was the good life was in fact only on the surface. Having always had a certain reluctance to accept my illness, I did not care if I went overboard. I also think that the news of my diabetes worsened the situation. Alone in this selfish metropolis, bruised by all the doors that closed on me, I saw all the hopes I had founded crumble. During these sad years, I think I could have filled every ocean on Earth with tears. Love, work, friends, health: none of this was there... And above all, my good humor had left me, taking with it all my dreams.

The summer of 2005 marked a turning point in my life. Weakened by all this neglect, I once again had to put my life on hold within the walls of the hospital, connected to a survival pole... For the umpteenth time the hard truths that were thrown in my face, I was in a low mood. My insulin levels became catastrophic and dangerous, my lung capacity drastically decreased: everything made my entire system work a bit like a time bomb, which affected my state of mind at the same time.

Luckily, it was during this storm that I met a ray of sunshine: a light source called Alexandre and which allowed me to realize for the first time that I am the only captain on board my ship. I realized that my life was going nowhere and that, despite all my will, I had not yet achieved anything. His example revived in me the impulse that had, at first glance, brought me out of the shadows. Inhabited by an unknown force, I wanted to prove to him as well as to me that I could succeed. That's how I started my first fight.

Filled with anger at myself and against this medical authority who recommended that I slow down my pace of life, I promised myself to get serious about training, in order to get back on track and change the course of things. Staying motivated was a new challenge for me. Indeed, having never had rigorous discipline, in particular because of the empathy shown to me by those around me because of my health condition, I had to fight my pride and persevere every day. But my new way of life changed all aspects of my existence for the better; for the better all aspects of my existence. Enthusiastic about this second life that was presented to me thanks to my efforts and motivated by the results, I took on a trainer and set my very first concrete objective: to do a fitness competition. I was fascinated by all the work that required and excited about the idea of combining gym, dance, and flexibility. This time, I would make my dream come true, and nothing and no one was going to stop me!

As a result, the disease subsided quietly. My training efforts allowed me to regain lung capacity that was greater than the results of all previous tests. In addition, my new diet allowed me to fully understand my diabetes and the role that food played in the body. Therefore:

1) I went from 6 Cotazym [ECS 20] capsules per meal to 0-1 Cotazym [ECS 8] capsules;

2) I was able to significantly reduce the number and dose of my daily insulin injections;

3) I improved my ability to work and my stamina;

4) my sleep has become more restful and I can therefore devote more hours to my training;

5) I gained a great sense of pride, which had a beneficial effect on my morale.

Improving my quality of life is, of course, a wonderful thing, but reaching my goal after so much effort is the greatest accomplishment of my life. Having enjoyed the joy of success now pushes me to surpass myself even more. I understood that nothing is impossible, but that you have to understand that nothing is impossible, but that sometimes you have to put a lot of effort into it; if it were always easy, everyone would do it! But for my part, I want to be among those who try and succeed. If I am lucky enough to have this strength of character, this lion's courage and this iron tenacity, I might as well use it to make my life a winning streak.

I end by offering you the following advice: it is important to believe in your dream, regardless of what it is, and even if people think differently from you in this regard. The more we invest in the process that leads to its realization, the more credible our dream becomes and the more important it becomes. And remember that the more time and energy you put into it, the less time you have to be sick! Aim far, think big, because there is no limit. The proof? I participated in a competition in Miami last November, in order to defend my new title as the second world champion in professional figure fitness. Who would have believed!

Now go for it! It's up to you to play!

‍