Marianne St-Gelais is a Canadian short track speed skater. She won two silver medals in the 500 m and 3,000 m events at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
As an accomplished junior skater, and world record holder, St-Gelais placed first overall at the 2007 Canada Games with four gold (500m, 1000m, 3000m and relay) and one silver medal (1500m). St-Gelais was named team Canada’s “rising star” of 2009. Marianne St-Gelais is the 2009 world junior champion and world junior record holder in the 500 metres with a time of 43.922 seconds. St-Gelais won her first ever World Cup medal in 500m short track speed skating at Vancouver in 2009.
St-Gelais was a member of the Canadian team that attended the 2010 Winter Olympics in both the 500m and 3,000m relay.
Let’s know her complete story from the stunning lady herself in a candid conversation with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You began skating at the age of 10 and reached the pinnacle of success by winning two silver medals in the 500 m and 3,000 m events at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. Walk us through this spectacular journey and tell us how it all began?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
When I first started speed skating, in St-Félicien (QC), I was just doing it for pleasure. I wasn’t very competitive as a person. I was 5th on the 5-people regional category. Wanted to follow my friends in the higher ranks, so I made sure to skate faster to be with them. When I got older, I realized I wanted to become better and faster. I eventually went up the ranks: to the provincial level, to the national level. I might not be the most technical skater, but I am recognized for my physicality and strength.
Even now, just like when I started, pleasure and the love of the sport are what gives me the energy to push me to attain my goals. I have learned to be competitive throughout the years. I am competitive in my sport, but I am the first one to congratulate a teammate or competitor after a race.
What I love about the sport is that it is individual, but you have your team to rely on. I love the collective aspect of the sport, both on ice and in the gym. I need my teammates to motivate me; I would not be able to train on my own.
The camaraderie in training motivates me every day, even when some don’t go as well. You think of the other 14 girls that rely on you to train.
Full Interview on Next Page!
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life, preparing for the Olympics.
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
The training and preparation for the Olympics is very structured and fairly demanding. First, we spend about 4 hours on the ice for physical training. Then, usually, we have a two hour “gym” training. Between all this and our rest periods, we have appointments in massotherapy, physiotherapy and consultations with our mental preparer. Finally, I also have to keep time for media requests and commitments with my partners. At the end of the day, there’s not much time left! I go to sleep very early since our first ice session is usually around 7am. In my day off (usually on Sunday), I like to take is easy, go at the restaurant for brunch with my friends and watch movies!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine that you may like to share?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
- I train twice a day, 6 times a week on ice.
- I have two lifting sessions a week (Weights in the gym).
- At home, I will stretch and sometimes do abdominals.
- I also take ice baths after training.
- My routine is always the same in my training: strength and endurance movements.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
Yes, I do have a followed plan. I have a specific number of calories I need to have, depending on the activity/training intensity. Over the years, I have learnt to know my ingredients and know what I am eating.
So, I know, when I am cooking, what I need to make to fit into my plan. For example, I know the protein portion I need to make a 500-calorie chicken wrap. But I don’t carry my food scale around.
I am conscious of the intake, and respect my muscular mass and adipose mass. I must keep the adipose mass as low as possible, while maintaining a high muscular mass.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Share with us your haircare and skincare routine?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
There is not much to say since I am allergic to several products. My skin is very sensitive and I often react to over-perfumed products. My routine is very simple, natural products and fragrance free! I wash my face morning and evening and use a hydrating cream. The cold of the arena makes the skin dry! Also, I use very gentle shampoo, let’s say that the helmet every day on the head does not leave much places to fancy hairstyles!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding short track speed skaters who all are your fans, they shall like to know from you, what they should do for their climb to ladder of success in this field?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
One word: fun! I believe that with great fun, perseverance and passion, we can achieve great things.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
2010 was, by far, the most successful year of your career, with 2 Olympic silvers, 2 world championship silvers, and a world’s bronze. How did you feel after the year ended having accomplished so much?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
I was very happy with that season. It was my first season where I did all the races on the World Cup tour. As soon as I qualified for Vancouver, I knew I had a potential in short-track speed skating. That motivated me, gave me the desire and aspiration to surpass myself. Winning the Olympic medial gave me a sport at the World championship. My career starts progressing to another level after 2010.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest influence and motivator in your success in the field of your career?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
Perdita Félicien, a track and field Olympian. I first saw her at the 2004 Athens Olympics. I was 14 back then, just starting to realize that I wanted to pursue speed skating more seriously. She was the World Champion, and was supposed to win the Olympics’ hurdle race. She tripped on the first hurdle and couldn’t finish the race. She faced the media, devastated.
She said that she knew she deserved the Olympic champion title and was going to prove everybody wrong. In four years, she would be back and win the race. Perdita really touched me and inspired me when she said that. I realized that, to be an Olympian, you must have an incredible attitude and willpower. I also learned you must face the media, no matter what.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
While playing professional sports, athletes often face injuries and other difficulties, would you like to tell the audience about how to cope up and make a comeback after an injury?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
It is important to have a plan to stick to. As a part of the national speed skating team, we have a team of professionals that follow our progression. I am never alone facing an injury. It’s reassuring to know I have people behind me, who know what my plan is to make a quick and healthy comeback. Every day, every week, you and your team must know what your goal is. As athletes, we are motivated to reach a goal. An injury is just another goal you must reach.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With a massive following who look up to you and follow you, how does it feel that you are able to influence and inspire the healthy lifestyle of so many individuals?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
It is a role I have learnt to embrace over the years. At first, I had trouble believing I could advise people and be an influence. Now, I really like that role and I wish to make people remember me for my results, but also for who I am as a person. I am a leader, with high expectations of myself and others. I let people come to me, and then I take pleasure in advising them. I want kids to look up to me and be an inspiration to them.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors on our 18th Anniversary?
Ms. Marianne St-Gelais:
18th year is very special in Québec, Canada, that’s the year we become legal and get to star tour adult life! So, I wish you a wonderful 18th year, continue to share several facets of sports and new recipes! Thank you for putting forward women in sports. Happy Birthday.
Follow her on:
- http://mariannestgelais.com/
- https://twitter.com/mastgelais
- https://www.instagram.com/body2/
- https://www.facebook.com/marianne.stgelais.official/
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2017 Women Fitness