WE BECAME CLOSER DUE TO
BODYBUILDING
AS WE FOUND OUR PASSION IN THE INDUSTRY BY JEANNIE DÉRY-BÉLANGER
For all for those who don ’ t know my family and me , my name Jeannie Déry-Bélanger and I became a Bikini IFBB in 2022 and my brother , Nicolas Déry-Bélanger became an IFBB Pro in Men ’ s Physique in 2022 at the Toronto Pro Qualifier . Throughout the years we have both competed with our father , Benoit Bélanger .
Let me tell you a little bit about our journey .
My brother was the first to start competing back in 2015 . In the beginning , I didn ’ t truly understand why he wanted to do this until I started competing myself . Seeing him on stage , with all the effort he put in his competition journey , was a true inspiration for me .
When I started working out , I feared the gym--scared of judgment , but with time , I became more confident and nothing could stop me anymore . I was going to the gym for myself , not for anybody else .
I set a realistic goal . After one year of seriously working out and following a healthy , nutritional lifestyle I could see the potential in my physique and the possibility of stepping on stage . I asked my father if he was willing to prep with me , he agreed and we did it together . We did our first amateur competition together in 2016 ; six years later I earned my Pro Card in October 2022 at the Canadian Nationals .
In 2017 , my father , my brother and I had the chance to share our passion together . This was truly magical for us . My brother , my father ’ s coach , at that time , and myself decided to make a special trophy for my father , to reward him for stepping on stage with both his children . In 2018 my brother and I shared our first National competition and in 2019 , my father and I competed and qualified to the next level . We competed in many CPA contests during our pursuit of the IFBB Pro League Card but the family experience we shared was the most rewarding .
Stepping on the same stage with my father and brother was an experience and privilege not everyone can have . Being surrounded by people who love you and understand what you are going through , especially family , makes everything easier . The sport of bodybuilding brought us closer .
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