Lucas Couturier - WBFF Pro
WPM's Personal Trainer of the Month - June 2011
Interviewed by: Mike Hall
Nominated by: Many
We received more nominations for Lucas as Personal Trainer of the Month than any other in the history of our Promoting Greatness series. He could have also won our "Competitor of the Month" but, his nominations were focused on "Personal Trainer of the Month". Which, we can see why. Come with us as we explore and learn a little more about him and why so many people supported and stood behind him.
Lucas Couturier first began training at the age of 14 in a basement with his uncle. Initially, he wasn’t consistent with his training because unfortunately, drugs and vandalism were a big part of his life. Enduring a few overdoses, losing all his friends, being kicked out of school and home; and at one point - even living on the street, he knew it was time to take action. He sought resolution by enlisting the help of his cousin Stephane, who Lucas saw as a big inspiration, and still does today.
After his dad and mom had separated, his dad made the decision to move to another city; where he signed Lucas up right away with a gym called “Atlantic Fitness”. Lucas hired a trainer named Natasha, who absolutely changed his life for the better. After a year of training, the gym manager asked him to join their team. At the young age of 17, Lucas received his first certification from the corporation. Since then, he has grown a lot as a person and trainer, went through an amazing body transformation, passed many certifications, and trained various amounts of people.
He decided to become a personal trainer because he thrives on the achievements of his clients. “I want to help people change their lifestyle for the better, and I seek to help them find balance through fitness, as Natasha did for me”, says Lucas. Natasha changed his life; there are no greater gifts you can give someone else than the gift of positive change and the gift of health.
"...This is my passion, my career, and my way of life. I believe strongly that to be able to achieve success and to keep getting clients you need to walk the walk and talk the talk."
WP: Lucas, you should be very proud of all of your accomplishment and change. You have an extensive educational background. What is your educational background? What are your certifications?
Thank you! I have a Bachelor Degree in Leisure & Recreation Management, current certifications in Personal training with International Sports & Science Association (ISSA), in MMA Fitness and Conditioning Coach with Agatsu, CPR from Can-Fit-Pro.
WP: How long have you been a personal trainer?
I have been a personal trainer for about 13 years now, and wouldn’t change my job for anything. This is my passion, my career, and my way of life. I believe strongly that to be able to achieve success and to keep getting clients you need to walk the walk and talk the talk.
WP: What do you feel sets you apart from all other personal trainers out there?
I believe every trainer has something different, and particular to share with their clients. But, what makes a good trainer, in my opinion, is his accountability; positivism, optimism and supportive attitude; be respectful no matter the situation; be professional with everyone; have integrity, that there is always something to learn as a trainer, and to continuously upgrade education.
WP: Where do you train your clients?
I train my clients usually at my studio. For my indoor boot camp classes, I usually rent space at local community center or at school gyms. When outdoors during summer time, I try to be as mobile as possible by using different parks and fields.
WP: Who have you worked with?
I have worked with all kinds of people with all sorts of goals, sizes, and shapes. I worked with everyone from pro-athletes, bodybuilders, fitness models, to regular Joe’s, young teenagers, and the elderly.
WP: You aren’t just a personal trainer. You also have done some modeling. Tell us about it.
Yes, I have been modeling for the past 8 years now. I appeared in a few magazines such as Inside Fitness, Fit & Firm, Nytro Fitness, etc. I have also done runway modeling and photo shoots for clothing companies like: Ed Hardy, and Demu Label, as well as, modeling for University promotional tools, like banners, car magnet, billboards, flyers, websites, etc.
WP: What are you goals?
My goal is to eventually appear on T.V., radio stations, and hit as many cover magazines as possible. I definitely want to bring my name to the next level. I want to be more inspirational to the people, whilst becoming an icon in the industry.
WP: How does your trainer differ when you are modeling and when you are not?
It is definitely a big challenge when you are a trainer. You have no choice to be tight with your schedule and respect it to the bone or your career and personal life will be affected.
It is crucial for a trainer to alert their clients of your goals to gain respect and understanding. After a few competitions you learn how to deal with yourself and your business. But, competing while you have a business is not to be taken lightly; you need to be aware of all the outcomes or possible issues it can render.
WP: What future projects do you have planned?
My head is always running with ideas. Ha-ha! I have a few plans and projects in mind, but can’t really share it until I am ready to go with them. Once you publicly announce something you better run with it, especially if you want to be a man of your word.
WP: That is so true! You also compete. What titles have you won? What competitions have you entered and what place did you take?
Yes, I do. I have gained my professional status through World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (WBFF) in 2010, which is one of the best and most rewarding federations in North America and growing. I have been intensively competing for the last 4 years with at least 2 or 3 competitions per year. I certainly learn a lot, especially with nutrition and lifestyle. My first competition, which was in 2008 at WBFF World Championship, is where I placed 4th in the world; my second competition is where I won the Male Fitness Model Champion with another good federation, UFE. After that, I did a few more competitions, but mostly stayed on the WBFF stage.
WP: How does your routine and life changes when you go from pre-contest to off- season?
It is not a secret that competing demands a lot of your time, money and energy. Therefore, I need to make sure that my business goes smoothly, that my nutrition is solid and well balanced, that I organize my priorities and personal life. If I am not organized, it will show either on stage or within my business. I believe strongly that competing as a trainer is nothing to joke about, if a trainer wants to do it; he or she needs to have their personal life and business ready for the ride. Clients should always stay the main focus as they are your primary source of income. I usually stay in shape all year round, and it is rare that I am off-season.
WP: What do you like and dislike about competing?
Well, my social life definitely takes a toll. Ha-ha! But, if I have a champion attitude, and am ready to make sacrifices, then it will not affect my goal to step on stage and achieve my dream. I mean, there are a lot of things that I dislike, but I want it so much that at the end, the negatives do not affect me anymore. When a person wants something so bad, that person will make things work.
WP: What would you change about the judges in the competitions?
I would like to see them have a better point system and share it publicly.
WP: From your past contests, what have you learned you need to correct or work on for the physique you are aiming for?
Now that I am competing at the professional division, I definitely need to bring my body to the next level, and I mean super ripped. More conditioning, more building in the upper body, and finally work on smiling way more.
WP: What keeps fitness interesting to you?
Stepping on stage, feeling the spotlights hitting me, people supporting my career, been ripped, and achieving a better body each time is what keeps it all interesting to me.
WP: Tell me something about yourself that no one else knows. It’s just between us, no one else will know. Ha-ha.
Ha-ha! Well, I am a big fan of comic books, even still now at 30 years old, I buy and read them.
WP: Hey, dude! That’s not bad! I think most of us are guilty of that. Ha-ha! How have you changed over the years?
My physique definitely changed a lot in the last 4 years; but I made most of the progress within myself internally. With all the things I went through when I was a youngster, some of the stuff followed me even until recently. I know there will always be something to work on, but I am proud with all the things I have accomplished and let go of. I am now ready to step up and shine even more as I strongly believe I can.
WP: Any shout outs?
I definitely want to thank my amazing girlfriend Loeticia, my entire family, my close friends and my awesome clients for their huge support on my fitness modeling career, and my personal training business. I am also very grateful to have met people like Allison & Paul Dillett, Dave Ruel, Honore Lesveque, Liana Saadi, Glen Grant, Sean Everingham, Obi Obidake, Kendall Wood, Emily & Matt Stirling, Lyzabeth Lopez, Nathane Jackson, Diana & Micah Lacerte, Craig & Julie Bonnett, Mark Anthony (Flex), Kyle Gentle & Amber, and many more. Those people had a big impact in my career, and I am very thankful for their advice and support.
WP: Explain your workouts to me.
I change mostly every 3 or 4 weeks, I shock my body by adding different approaches, principles and systems, and with different phases. Right now I am doing free weights about 3 times per week and cardio 3 times per week.
WP: What is your diet?
Meal 1:
6 egg whites (185ml) plus 1/2 scoop protein powder
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 teaspoon peanut butter
1 multi-vitamin
Meal 2:
Protein crepe:
8 egg whites plus 1/2 scoop protein powder
1 banana
Meal 3:
6 oz. chicken breasts
1/2 cup brown rice or medium sweet potato (8 oz)
Spinach salad mixed with 1 tbsp. organic apple cider vinegar
Meal 4:
50g whey protein
1 serving All Greens
Meal 5:
6 oz. Tilapia
2 cups broccoli
Meal 6:
6 oz. salmon or red meat
Handful of asparagus
Post Workout:
50g Whey Protein plus 10g Glutamine
WP: With your past, what type of person were you, actually, in high school?
I was a kid who was craving a lot of attention, acting out through bad grades, skipping school and doing a lot of drugs. I don’t remember much from my high school, to be honest.
WP: What are your hobbies outside of fitness?
I love going to movies, skate boarding (long board), bungee jumping, skim board, going for walks, hiking in parks, indoor rock climbing, but also I love just relaxing with a good green tea and talk with good friends.
WP: Last question before we close the interview. What supplements do you take?
I take BCAA’s, L-Glutamine, Isolate Whey protein powder, multi-vitamin, and Creatine. That is all I need. There is a lot of B.S. about what your body needs and should take. Some companies are lying to their own buyers, and it’s simply to make money. Put your own money in a balance and well-design nutritional plan that will bring the results you want, what are supplements good for when your diet is not well set-up.
WP: It's been a pleasure interviewing you!
No, thank you!
