TRAINERS & COACHES


He is well-known world-wide as one of the most dedicated, hardworking, committed athletes of all time; the one and only Jean "Ti-Jean" LeBlanc. He was runner-up at the World Championship in Belgium in 1982. He won Mr. Canada four times throughout his bodybuilding career at the National Canadian Championships.

My trainer and well known bodybuilder Jean LeBlanc, or otherwise known as “Ti-Jean” mostly due to his height of 5 feet 3 inches tall was born on Canada Day, July 1st, 1954 in Moncton, NB.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON MY TRAINER

Jean began training with weights in 1970 at the age of 16 years old. There were two things that prompted him to get into this sport of bodybuilding. Jean being so small and frail as a young teenager, wanted to improve the structure of his body by increasing his size. In addition, Jean’s frail body left him prone to frequent illness; as a result, his doctor suggested weight training to strengthen him. Jean spent the next four years training with weights and reading about bodybuilding. His interest in the sport grew and several events followed which motivated him to pursue the sport more seriously. The Weider Company had two individuals in Moncton promoting their products and equipment. These gentlemen, Norm Wickens of Saint John and Winston Roberts of Montreal, impressed Jean with the size of their own body structure. A second place finish in his first bodybuilding contest was impressive considering that he had no knowledge on how to pose on stage and comically was given a pair of posing trunks just prior to going on stage in front of an audience for his first time. In 1975, Jean won a provincial bodybuilding title energizing his pursuit even further.

From that moment on, there has been no turning back, no holds barred. Jean’s determination and love for the sport of bodybuilding grew into a dedication and show of self-discipline that was difficult to comprehend by those who have little understanding of the commitment involved to be among the best. Jean’s record certainly has shown him to be among the best. He has won at the National Level four times and gone up against great competitors such as Steve Brisbois and Andre Charest. A second place finish at his first World Championships in Belgium placed him above Herman Hoffman and second to USA Jimmy Gaubert. As well, the 1980 International Championship Jean looked up to his competitors and respected them for the love of the sport of bodybuilding.

Jean has shown to be consistent and successful in both the amateur and professional levels of bodybuilding. At the professional level, he proved to be the ultimate to achieve a high ranking among the professionals in his class. Jean competed from 1974 through 1994. He was a man on a mission for twenty long years and he never looked back.

The competition was always fierce and stiff but each new challenge brought him closer and closer to becoming one of the best bodybuilders in Canada. Jean knew he always had to keep one step ahead of the game in order to be the best. Jean was never the type of individual to belittle, intimidate or insult another competitor in this sport. He praised the other competitors that did better than him and followed in their footsteps. He competed for the sheer joy of it and was never self-centered. Thanks to the support, teamwork and positive influence he has had from his fellow competitors, he wouldn’t have learned as much as he has in his career of bodybuilding. He has the strength to hold perseverance, maintain willpower and keeps a strong determination to never give up. It took a very long time for people to understand his lifestyle and his willpower to follow a strict diet plan with no cheating.

The consistency in Jean’s record demonstrated not only his loyalty and pride to this sport of bodybuilding, but it also presented us with a man who strived continuously and still does today, to achieve the best that he can be. Sensitive to the reputation of this aesthetic sport, even off-season, Jean has never been far away from competition form. In 1994, the IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding) awarded him his Pro Card, a distinguished award and achievement that very few athletes get the chance to acquire. That same year, after the Professional (Pro Show) in Virginia, USA at the Masters Olympia Qualifier, he finished his career with a third place finish and decided to retire from competing in Bodybuilding Shows.

Dedication put Forth by My Trainer

Today, Jean is 52 years old and still trains faithfully, 5 days per week, 2 hour long workouts. His workouts begin at 5:30 am and end at 7:30 am. Even his still on-going clean diet shows a true athlete who sacrifices whatever he needs to in order to look and feel at his best. Jean has always gave 110% to this sport and he has proudly represented his country at both the Amateur and Professional Level. As an athlete, he has certainly showed a severe degree of dependability over the last 35 years and is not a here today, gone tomorrow type of athlete.

Jean has struggled most of his life in achieving his goals and unfortunately, he was not blessed with great genetics, therefore, he had to work tremendously hard to build muscle mass and exercised 5 sometimes 6 days per week at 2-3 hour training sessions to achieve results. He has trained in over 10 different gyms in the Moncton/Dieppe area and each obstacle that he encountered brought him closer and closer to being one of the most successful and dedicated athletes in the Country.

At present, his training sessions have never decreased, he trains just as hard today as he did 30 years ago and he never quits. Four years after he retired in 1994, he suffered many losses all in the same year. On July 6th, 1999, while training at a gym called “Body and Soul” in Moncton, he was training legs on the Hack machine. In the midst of determination to finish his set, his two knees came apart and the machine collapsed both of his legs. He was immediately rushed to hospital and was told by the doctor that he’d be out of commission for a while and wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to train again. Through confidence, determination and courage, Jean was back in the gym in less than 1 month wearing leg braces and training as hard as he ever did before. Nothing would stop him from living his dream and maintaining the lifestyle that he loved and adored. Not long after that, Jean’s father passed away within the same year. Sadly, his father was his biggest fan, although he would never admit this to Jean, he always had clippings of him and often talked about his successes in bodybuilding.

HIS CHARACTER

Jean LeBlanc is a leader, not a follower. He is an extremely intelligent street-smart individual. He has many gifts that only few people possess such as; outstanding financial management skills, good communication skills and he is extremely knowledgeable in the areas of Fitness, Nutrition and Exercise. If you asked well known, well respected bodybuilder “Ti-Jean” LeBlanc what bodybuilding means to him; he would probably tell you it’s about integrity, dedication and aesthetics.

Mr. LeBlanc is considered a real winner. Not always winning as in first place overall but competing regardless of the outcome. This is a picture example of good sportsmanship on his part. He looks up to those who try to better themselves and strive to achieve their own goals. But in the eyes of everyone around him, he was and still is “a winner and champion” who never quit and he continuously strives to improve his performance. He is not a selfish person and has a positive outlook on life. He possesses the fundamental blocks to be a true champion.

His character is well respected by those around him. He is a qualified judge at all Provincial and Atlantic Levels of the NBABBA Federation of Bodybuilding. He has trained numerous bodybuilders, fitness and figure competitors who have become champions at the National, Atlantic and Provincial Levels. He is a guest speaker every year at the CCNB Dieppe, NBCC Moncton and various high schools throughout the Dieppe and Moncton area. He speaks about nutrition, fitness and drugs. He works at Dorchester Penitentiary as a Social Programs Officer and teaches Community Re-integration to the offenders about Nutrition and Exercise.

MY PERSONAL ROLE MODEL

I will never forget the day I entered the Dorchester Penitentiary gym at 138 lbs (30 lbs overweight). We are both employed with Corrections Canada and “Ti-Jean” took me under his wing and trained me intensely for 3 months. The results were phenomenal and I had made a remarkable body transformation down to 107 lbs. Before I started my training, Jean had made me a proposition. He had committed himself into taking me on a $1000 shopping spree if I had lost all my weight. He kept his promise and was proud of his successful coaching and hard work he put forth to helping make my dream a reality. My mission was accomplished all because of this man, a true dedicated, kind hearted individual who gave his precious time day in and day out to help someone to feel good about themselves. Luckily, this transformation was the beginning of a new love story and life together.

Thank you Jean, for all the time, energy, devotion that you put into my training. Thanks for always being there for me when I need you the most. I love you and I respect you. You are my role model and you make me want to lead by example.

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Renaud LeBlanc

A very special thank you goes out to my co-trainer, Renaud LeBlanc who resides in Campbellton, NB. He always gives me great advice, support and encouragement. He always guides me every step of the way and assists Jean with my training, diet and motivational needs. Renaud is not only an accomplished bodybuilder, he’s been the Atlantic Bodybuilding Champion twice in the last twenty years of his bodybuilding career. Renaud eats clean year round, trains 5-6 times per week, pushes himself beyond his limits and gives 110% to each and every workout he endures. He is always consistent and always in contest shape year round. He never loses his focus for his training and could conquer any obstacle that gets in his way. Renaud is a kind hearted, gentle man who gives so much to the sport of bodybuilding and not a day goes by that I don’t hear his name being talked about at the gym amongst athletes in such a positive way.

I myself look up to Renaud for his understanding of what an athlete must endure, his knowledge of the sport in dieting, training & supplements and his precious time and patience he gives to the athlete to help them become “ the best” that they can be. Renaud is the “real deal” and a hard worker. He is very much underrated and he tends to be very modest when he’s being praised or given a well-deserved compliment.

I trust Renaud with all the advice, training tips and dieting needs that he provides to me while getting ready for a show. Without him, I could not have done this well with my figure career and a lot of my thanks I owe to him.

Thank you Renaud, you’re the best!

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Steve Sweeney, Simply for Life Moncton

STEPHEN J SWEENEY was born in 1969 in Montreal, Quebec but grew up in Bathurst, NB. His first competition was at the age of 16 in 1985 NEW BRUNSWICK CHAMPIONSHIPS. He has won many titles including Junior Champion, Light Heavy Weight and Overall Champion at the New Brunswick Championships. Also at the Mr. Moncton Invitiational, he won first place Heavy Weight and Overall title. He then proceeded to win the Men’s Senior Heavy Weight and Overall Title at the New Brunswick Championships. Also won Mr. Atlantic at the Atlantic Classic Championships.

Highly respected entrepreneur, Bruce Sweeney, started Simply for Life in September 2001. After months of convincing his own brother, Steve came to work for Bruce in 2002. Bruce opened SFL Moncton in 2003. Steve now manages and owns the SFL Moncton Clinic located at 140 Champlain St (Behind Jean Coutu) in Moncton, NB, SFL Riverview where Line Doucet works and does the administration side of the business and SFL Shediac. Steve deals with 1500-2000 clients per month and has studied both business and nutrition in Moncton, NB.

Steve sponsored me at the 2006 National Fitness and Figure Championships. He took an interest in me and helped promote my sport of Figure. I was fortunate enough to have him and his girlfriend, Line Doucet. accompany Jean and I to Edmonton Alberta on July 1st. I am so grateful to have had his support over the past year or so competing in my shows. Thank you Steve, Line and Jerry Aube (also from SFL) who helped me in everyway possible to achieve my goals I set for myself over this past year. I can’t say enough about Steve. He is a great mentor, motivator and he always brings his athletes to their full potential. Thanks for all you have done Steve, I really appreciate it.

My Coaches Responsibilities:

Good Interpersonal Relationship with your Trainer