Cathy LeFrancois has been a professional bodybuilder since she won her IFBB Pro Card in 1995 at the Canada Cup.
This Gaspari-sponsored athlete has competed in both the Olympia and the Arnold, the most prestigious competitions for any female bodybuilder in the IFBB.
She tried her hand at figure a few times along the way, but it just wasn’t for her. She says she felt like she was on vacation!
With the new division coming along, I decided it was time to track Cathy down and get her opinion on it.
Read on to see what Cathy thinks about the WPD, what she thinks about being a sponsored athlete, and how the injury that kept her out of the 2009 Olympia is coming along…
AZ: I am sure you have run the gamut of emotions, wondering whether or not there was even going to be female bodybuilding any longer. What did you think when all the talk first came up about the new Women's Physique Division?CL: This was all a huge surprise to me! I had no idea that people did not like female bodybuilders.
I still have fans that come from all over the world to see me on stage because they love me. They tell me that I give them the motivation and the drive to train and compete!
This new WPD is a good idea to make money for the promoters, like it was with figure. It’s easy, and anybody can do it with just a little bit of discipline. I did figure and, wow! I was in vacation!
It’s nothing like bodybuilding or fitness.
I don't blame the person who got the idea. The promoters will make more money, and maybe we will have better shows and be treated like professionals. Like the start!
But back to the question!
First, it will be great to have some women's bodybuilding back in the popular magazines, like it was a while ago.There used to be some pretty female bodybuilder with some big man bodybuilder. It was cool, and people loved that.
I don't see why we can’t have our chance, especially for the ones who have a great background, integrity, and a huge fan following. Someone who is a good mentor, with a healthy look, nice hair, nice skin, and make-up. A female bodybuilder with class!!
AZ: Did you see warning signs that these changes were coming?CL: We did receive a letter the last few years saying the new rule for woman bodybuilding is to have twenty percent less muscle.
They were looking at every little detail, like our style, skin, and hair. To my understanding, they were after a more feminine look.
I was very excited about this! People were telling me it was a good chance for me.
When the Arnold arrived, I was smaller, with great condition.
Even though I was small, the crowd was telling me that they thought I was going to win the show if the judges applied this new rule.
I thought maybe it’s my lucky day!
I knew I was going to be first or sixth.
I got sixth, and the crowd was very disappointed.
The top five were all the bigger girls. Nothing changed in the IFBB.
I did notice they applied the new rules in the NPC for the past few years. All the new pros are the cute, little ones!
AZ: Is there any chance we will see you try your hand at the WPD?CL: For now, I have no idea.
I have no idea what they are looking for. Are they looking for a small bodybuilder like me, having muscle all over with good lines and maturity, or a tall figure girl with a little of bit muscle, but no density?
I can't be tall, but I can be very girly, with smaller muscles. I have been competing for the past twenty-one years at around 130 pounds. This is the weight that I am comfortable with. At this weight, my look and symmetry mix well together.
The judges have told me that if I want to make top three, I need to compete at 140 to 145 pounds. Damn, I look like a block at that weight!
I'm just 5’2’, and I really don't like that look. This is not PowerCat unique shape!!
So,I won’t stress myself with this new class, but I will keep my eyes open and see if I can do well there. I will also have a good talk with Rich and Liz Gaspari and see what they want me to do and what is best for Team Gaspari.
I will be forty in February, and I don't want to compete just for fun!
They told me that I was too old for figure - that I will never win a show. In womens bodybuilding, I can win, have a great future, and be an ambassador for others.
AZ: You had to pull out of the 2009 Ms. Olympia due to an injury you received when you fell and hurt your elbow. How did you feel having to sit that out, and are you fully recovered?CL: I didn't sit much!
The 2010 season has been the first time in my professional career that I did a lot of shows in one season.
This is also the first time in twenty-one years that I hurt myself.
The funny thing was, it was not during training. It was in my house. I had a stupid accident. I slipped on the carpet and fell on my right elbow. I was not able to bend my arm for three months.
Little-by-little, I am getting better. I still trained along the way, but I trained around it.
I did the New York Pro, and it was hurting so badly after all the posing!Then, I did three more shows.
Still today, while I am writing you, I am hurting - still not able to straighten that arm all the way or have one hundred percent contraction.
I train, and I hurt - especially when I do shoulders and some back exercises. I still have a hard time doing shoulder and bench presses.
I have to use machines to keep from getting deformed. If my right arm stops, my left needs to follow!
I wish a miracle would happen. It’s not cool to train with pain, and deal with therapy cream to numb it while I do my work out. But nothing will stop me; I just need to train smart and train around it!
AZ: You tried figure; it wasn’t your thing. You said you didn’t like working out like a girl! Why? What do you get out of working that hard in the gym?CL: I just don't like the kind of woman who is scared to break a nail! This fragile girl that thinks she's too cute to bring the groceries in the house, mop a floor, or use the vacuum!
Working hard is not training like a man. I train smart, and I am consistent. That makes a huge difference!
I get more professional attention in bodybuilding. When people see that I have quality muscle, they see my body as a diploma.
They know that I am doing the right training with the right diet!
When I was in figure, yes, I had attention, but it was mostly from people who wanted some piece of ass!
I didn't need to prove anything, and I am not insecure about myself. I did not need to go on stage just to walk around for that!
There is one thing I do like about figure, though. It’s the opportunity for someone who started on the bottom.It’s the chance for someone who might be overweight, or the mother who didn’t have a chance to take care of herself because she was all about providing for her family.
Figure competitions make it possible for them, and gives them the drive and motivation to go all the way.
AZ: Not many female bodybuilders can boast that they are sponsored, yet you’re a Gaspari Athlete. Why do you think that is?CL:Probably because I have been in this industry for many years.
By the age of eighteen, I was in business already.
I worked for a huge supplement line in Canada - Northern Light. I learned everything through working for them.
I started with clothing, but eventually did everything, including selling supplements and clothing in stores, trade shows, and on the road.
Later on, I had clothing line with full production called KAHUNA BAY & ORIGINAL BODY WEAR.
I was all about business, working, and using who I was to grow. I never believed in eat, sleep, and train - impossible to do, if you don't have a job!
I had the chance to work with Rich Gaspari while I was in Canada doing a TV program. He was one of the judges. Like they say, I was at the right place, at the right time when his wife Liz saw me at the USA six years ago.
She liked what she saw! Fans were stopping to take pictures with me, and I was professional about it.
Also, I use my experience and compete to promote the supplements and products of the company I work for. It’s easier when people know who you are! That brings them to my demos and booth.
Who would not want someone like me on their team?
I have integrity. I never did naked pictures or web cam, and I never meet men in their room to do poses for them, lol!
I am an organize-freak! That’s why I am able to compete and work!
I am honest, always on time, and I apply the rules of the company.
I know it’s very rare for a woman bodybuilder to have a sponsor. I work hard, and I do deserve my place with them.
AZ: What is something you enjoy about your job?CL:I really enjoy meeting people when I do demo work for Gaspari Nutrition.
I love it when they tell me I was the click!
One told me that I look at them differently than the others.
I know what she means.
If someone looks at me, and I make eye-contact with her, I smile.
I make sure she knows that I think she is a beautiful person, and I mean it!
If I can help her to be happy with herself, I will do anything to support her!
AZ: What are your plans for 2011?CL:It’s going to be a huge year for me!!
I am looking for my biggest year to compete. I am going to be everywhere. If women’s bodybuilding is going to end,I want to be a legend of it!!
My second goal is here at my house.
I want to continue to rent places for people who come to California to train with Charles Glass, Paul, Milos, Ben Pakulski, Iris Kyle, or me.
Also, I want to establish my training and diet online, and continue working with Iris on IC-Academy, while continuing to travel the world for Gaspari Nutrition.
AZ: Speaking of Iris Kyle, I’ve heard that you and Iris are good friends. What’s it like having a close friend who is also your fiercest competition?CL:It makes us crazy!! We worry!!
We care so much about each other, but we must have time to focus on our own selves.
We want to help each other, but we came to the conclusion that we should put our friendship on stand-by while we get ready for a show, and meet for sushi after!
We did live together for months, and we are looking at the possibility of having her here again while we get ready for the Arnold .
So, if I am not on stage, it’s because she killed me, or I killed her!!!
