The Unique Valerie Benoit

What makes me unique?

I believe everyone is unique in their very own way. We all bring something different to this world and to the people around us. When I got asked to share my story and to share what makes me unique, the first thing that came to my mind is the image of this fragile 17-year-old girl that didn't have much self-confidence but decided to make a positive change to her lifestyle. I am now 22 years old, and I can confidently say I am a complete different person than my 17-year-old self.

I was 2 weeks from turning 18, and decided I wanted to take better care of my health. I had always been very thin and not athletic at all. I had never watched my eating habits and would live off sugary foods. I didn't know better, but after hearing about some of my friends starting to go to the gym, I decided to give it a try and got myself a gym membership.

Fast forward to today, I have competed in 3 fitness competitions including a Canadian National show, 2 model search (FMF Events), and have made fitness a part of my lifestyle. I think it's important to highlight the fact that it is a PART of my lifestyle. Fitness is not my whole lifestyle because it does not consume me. There was a time where it did, but I'm glad I got over it and found balance.

This is something you will rarely read in fitness magazines or anywhere in the fitness community, but the fitness industry is a very dark world. From the outside, all you may see is glamorous fitness models with their green tea, protein shakes, lululemon, and 6-pack abs. In reality, there are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that people rarely open up about: drugs, eating disorders, hormonal issues, various health problems, social anxiety, and much more. People will sacrifice their health, family, and social life to have their ideal physique or to compete in a certain show.

And let's not forget about "social media fame" that is everywhere nowadays and will make people derive from their true self simply to get more followers, more likes, or to get a sponsorship. With promo codes and selfies everywhere, I find it hard to find REAL people in this industry. I met someone very special this year and they made me realize so many things about the fitness industry, but also about myself. I am very self-aware and pay close attention to the people around me. They are ultimately whom you will become. Real, hard-working, self-driven, respectful people are who I surround myself with. This is why Team Magnum is so close to my heart. Not only do they provide the public with the highest quality supplements on the market, but the people behind the company are exactly the type of people I want to surround myself with for the rest of my life; genuine, hard-working, self-driven, respectful, people of integrity ... Markus Kaulius, president of Magnum, will always be a true inspiration of mine. From the way he runs his company, shares his knowledge, and treats people, he is as good as a business man as he is a friend, and a teacher. I have learned more from him in the 2 years I have been with Magnum that I could have ever imagined.

I could probably keep going on "what makes me unique" for another couple paragraphs, but to be honest, I still consider myself like your average girl that likes to live a fit life, but decided not to take the beaten path and work a little bit harder. I will forever be grateful that I found balance and am living a life that I love. I have a full-time job working as Content and Social Media Specialist for Popeye's Supplements Quebec and Maritimes and Popeye's Supplements Canada, have amazing friends, amazing sponsors (including Popeye's that has been with me since day one alongside Magnum!) that provide me with the best products on the market, love to travel, love food (a lot!), and like to live life to the fullest!

I want to finish on something that is very close to my heart. One thing I try to live by is that if you want success, you must take the difficult path and stay away from the beaten path (meaning the path everyone is following). Do you, find what makes you unique, what makes you stand out and be driven, and motivated when you pursue it. And NOT only in the gym, but in every aspect of your life: work, family, relationships, etc. I have learned with time that working out is not life and should never be. Life is so much more than a good looking physique, trophies, and the gym. You have to be tenacious in EVERY aspect of your life and not let fitness consume all of it. This, to me, is the real definition of success.

Type of dieting? I follow flexible dieting. When I am getting ready for an event or photoshoot, I will count my macros and use carb cycling. When I'm not, I eat intuitively but still follow flexible dieting's principles.

Even though I follow flexible dieting, I do believe certain foods work best for each individual, so I pay close attention to how my body reacts, inflammation, digestion, etc.

Workout schedule? I train legs 3 to 4 times a week, and have 2 or 3 upper body days: shoulders, back, and arms (arms is optional).

Fasted cardio? I do think lifting in a fasted state is ok even good for certain people because the digestion process is not using energy while you train, but I'm not a big advocate of fasted LISS or MISS cardio, especially if you want to maintain muscle mass and keep your metabolism high. I much prefer fed HIIT Cardio. My favorite as of lately has been deadmill sprints on the treadmill: you sprint but the treamill is OFF. YOU make it move.

Biggest fitness accomplishment? Surprisingly I don't have one BIG fitness accomplishment. My journey has been a lot of small(er) accomplishments that brought me where I am today. I am far from being done and still have a long way to go. The day you admit that you are successful is they day you stop being successful. You have to always want to improve and be a better version of yourself because there is always room for improvement.

Biggest NON-fitness accomplishment? Moving from sales associate at a Popeye's store to working at their head office in Brossard. I love my job and am so incredibly thankful to have gotten this opportunity!

3 athletes you look up to? Layne Norton, Amer Kamra, and Joe Donnelly

Sunsets or sunrises? Sunrises

Cats or dogs? I really can't pick, I'm an animal lover and love all animals! I do have 2 cats at home and never owned a dog, but I will in a near future!

Romantic comedy or Action? Definitely action!

Clean cut or bad boy? I'm a sucker for bad boys ... I can't help it!