Name: Cathy LeFrancois
Hometown: El Monte, CA, USA
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 130-135 lbs competition, 150-155 lbs off-season
Bodybuilding Background:
How long have you been bodybuilding? 20 years.
How did you get started? When I was 14, a friend of mine in my class had big forearms with veins! I was impressed! I asked how he got them. He said he was training at home with some dumbbells. He starts to talk to me every day about muscle and every time I wanted to know more and more. One day, he brought me a magazine with Corey Everson on the cover. Oh my God, I was so excited, I couldn’t believe a woman could be that way and she was so beautiful. So right at that moment, I knew that was the way I wanted to look and I knew I would be an ambassador for this sport one day. I was ready to learn everything I could to have muscle. My eyes were open. Every time I saw something l liked, I was there waiting for an answer to help complete my new look. For example, I saw a guy with huge legs and calves. I asked him how he got them. He said it was from speed skating. I wanted those calves, so I started speed skating and competed for many years.
Why do you train? What motivates you? I will say first, I was not happy to be a skinny girl of 95 lbs. The way I look has always been really important to me from day one. I always dress decent and do my hair and make up every time I get up. I like to be a woman and I like to be comfortable in my skin. To me it’s good therapy and keeps you happy all day--and it’s good motivation to hear good compliments during the day, especially. Soon I am going to be 40 and I still hear people talk and think I am close to 30!...lol
Second, I will say motivation comes from my friend Steve, my class roommate, who gave me the torch of bodybuilding and told me to run with it. He was killed by a drunk-driver just before Christmas, so he never got the chance to see the gold medal I brought to him like he asked at my first speed skating competition. He never had the chance to realize his dream to be a bodybuilder. So I did it for him. Always before a show, I ask him to give me strength and make it happen the way he would like it for him.
What are your goals? My short-term goal is to become the future ambassador of women’s bodybuilding – to represent this sport in a positive way and to be a role model for future female bodybuilders and those who strive and work hard to be their very best.
My long-term goals are to continue my 110% dedication and work for Gaspari Nutrition, using my full potential to promote their products and teach others how to realize their goals, and to make Gaspari proud to have on their team the best woman bodybuilder! I also want to develop my “Welcome Fans Home” program, where fans will have the opportunity to spend a weekend with me to learn how it is to live like a pro! And finally, when I find the time, I can write my book. I have so many requests--What is behind the muscle, girl?
What does the phrase “Push Harder” mean to you? “Push Harder” means to never let your head tell you when you’re done. Let your body be your guide. When I train, my repetitions are always intervals of 5. I will not let myself fall below. If I can only push 18 reps, I force myself to “Push Harder” until I reach 20. If I feel like stopping at 12 reps, I force myself to get 15. This has always been my philosophy when training and it has always helped me reach my goals.
What advice would you give to someone who is just getting started as a serious bodybuilder? First and most important, use Gaspari Nutrition products, so you can be sure that your money is well spent for something that will guarantee results. Start step by step (be organized):
Step 1 – Make sure you have an image in your head of how you want to look. It is important to be able to visualize where you want to be.
Step 2 – Clean! Disperse all the bad food in your cabinet, fridge…etc
Step 3 – Change all the dressings, Pam, cola, jam, and condiments for fat free versions. Get I Can’t Believe Its Not Butter spray, Crystal Light, etc.
Step 4 – Go grocery shopping and get healthy food like chicken, turkey, tuna, egg, fish, lean meat, oatmeal, rice, yam, potatoes, Ezekiel bread, cottage cheese, fat free yogurt, fruits, almonds and cashews, just to name a few.
Step 5 – Start to cook your food at night before bed. Put everything in containers so it is ready for the next day or cook food once a week making enough for all meals for each day.
Step 6 – Buy a Nuwave! Infrared oven cooking machine. One simple unit means fewer dishes. Food cooks fast with no smell in the house and tastes great. Cooking food is simple with that. Also make sure you have a food scale, and a drink mixer for your protein shake.
Step 7 – The most important one – BE CONSISTENT! It’s worth it. This is changing your life for the best and you will be happy you did it.
Supplementation:
PlasmaJet: 4 pills on training days taken at least 2-3 hours before training, along with one scoop SuperPump250
SuperPump250: One scoop with 6-8 oz. water, 30 minutes before I train
SizeOn: Off-Season, mix with 24 oz. water, full scoop on training days while training, half scoop on non-training days
Cytolean: When I am dieting I like to take 1-2 pills early morning to control my appetite throughout the day
IntraPro: I love to make an ice cream with my Intrapro. I put a lot of ice in my Magic Bullet mixer, along with 1-2 scoops. So good! Off-season, I drink two shakes per day. Pre-contest, I have one shake before bed. I also drink an Intrapro shake anytime I don’t have time for a meal because It is so quick and easy.
Glutamine: 5g three times a day (morning, after training and before bed)
CLA: 8g per day (4g in the morning and 4g before bed)
Omega 3, Yohimbe, Glucosamine, Vitamins E & C: One pill first thing in the morning and one pill at night before bed.
Competition History:
| Year |
|
Event |
|
Division |
|
Results |
|
| 2009 |
|
IFBB New York Pro |
|
|
|
1st
|
| 2009 |
|
IFBB Arnold Classic |
|
|
|
8th
|
| 2008 |
|
IFBB Miss Olympia |
|
|
|
6th
|
| 2008 |
|
IFBB New York Pro |
|
|
|
1st
|
| 2008 |
|
IFBB Arnold Classic/Miss International |
|
|
|
6th |
| 2007 |
|
IFBB Arnold Classic/Miss International |
|
|
|
10th |
| 2007 |
|
IFBB Sacramento Pro |
|
Light Weight |
|
2nd |
| 2006 |
|
IFBB Atlantic City Pro |
|
|
|
6th |
| 2005-2006 |
|
IFBB Figure (Culver City, Europa, Sacramento, Pittsburgh |
|
|
|
|
| 2003 |
|
IFBB Miss Olympia |
|
Light Weight |
|
4th |
| 2003 |
|
IFBB Arnold Classic/Miss International |
|
Light Weight |
|
1st |
| 2002 |
|
IFBB GNC Pro Classic |
|
Light Weight |
|
2nd |
| 2002 |
|
IFBB Arnold Classic/Miss International |
|
Light Weight |
|
4th |
| 2001 |
|
IFBB Arnold Classic/Miss International |
|
Light Weight |
|
4th |
| 2000 |
|
IFBB Miss Olympia |
|
Light Weight |
|
4th |
| 2000 |
|
IFBB Arnold Classic/Miss International |
|
|
|
3rd |
| 1999 |
|
IFBB Women's Extravaganza |
|
|
|
5th |
| 1999 |
|
IFBB Jan Tana Classic |
|
|
|
8th |
| 1996 |
|
IFBB Arnold Classic/Miss International |
|
|
|
14th |
| 1995 |
|
IFBB Jan Tana Classic |
|
|
|
12th |
| 1995 |
|
CBBF Canada Cup III Amateur Bodybuilding Championships |
|
Middle Weight |
|
1st and overall |
| 1994 |
|
CBBF Canadian Amateur Bodybuilding Championships |
|
Middle Weight |
|
2nd |
| 1993 |
|
CBBF Canadian Amateur Bodybuilding Championships |
|
Light Weight |
|
2nd |
| 1991 |
|
CBBF Easter Canadian Amateur Bodybuilding Championships |
|
Light Weight |
|
1st |
| 1990 |
|
QuebecMetropolitan Regional Amateur Bodybuilding |
|
Light Weight |
|
2nd |