5 Questions With Camille Leblanc-Bazinet
Camille Leblanc-Bazinet, the 2014 Fittest Woman on Earth (AKA winner of the CrossFit Games) and all around badass, is currently recovering from a recent shoulder injury — but using that time to help with a cause that’s near and dear to her heart. We recently got to talk to her about all of that, plus more, in this quick (yet deep) rapid-fire interview, on behalf of Rehband and its awesome partnership with Barbells for Boobs (yep, you read that right).
FBG: Why was working with Rehband a good fit for you personally?
Camille Leblanc-Bazinet: I believe in safe and smart training so I can continue to achieve my goals. I trust the quality of Rehband’s products because they are medically classified and patented designs. I’m confident that they will allow me to protect my body so I can continue to train and perform, especially while I rehab my recent shoulder surgery. Rehband collaborates with athletes to develop products we need. Last year I worked together with their R&D team to produce a wrist sleeve based on an idea of mine!
Can you talk a little about their support of Barbells for Boobs and what that means to you?
One out of eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and 7 percent will be under the age of 40. That’s why this October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), Rehband is taking a stand against these statistics by supporting Barbells for Boobs, an organization that mobilizes and empowers people to take action in breast cancer. Through their programs, Barbells for Boobs has impacted over 1,000,000 people and counting, in the form of access to procedures, navigation, connections and support. I’m a large advocate of the importance of physical strength as well as wellness — which means advocating for yourself by taking action over your own health. Through the purchase of pink Rx line products from Rehband (knee, calf, wrist and elbow sleeves) during the month of October, you can not only promote your own physical support, but also sponsor wellness empowerment for women across the country through Barbells for Boobs.
After being named the fittest woman on Earth in 2014 — which is a HUGE accomplishment — how do you continue to stay motivated?
I think that the true challenge is finding the best version of yourself, and any title or prize can’t stop the search to become that. It’s exciting to have rewards and motivation, but I think when your focus is on constant progress and your focus changes to something that has nothing to do with fame or money, true happiness comes through and true enjoyment of the journey also comes through.
What fitness/personal goals are you working towards now?
Becoming the best me! With my business, as a graduated chemical engineer, as a wife, as a daughter, as a sister and as an athlete. My goals right now are to go back to the CrossFit Games healthy and show what I am made of, to try to qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo in weightlifting and to build my brand online.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given about life? What’s the best piece of advice you can give?
Nothing is about you! That’s the best advice I got. We tend to think that the world is against or with us, or make story in our head about why something went a certain way, but the truth is that nothing is ever good or bad and it’s all about perspective. Stuck in traffic? Good, I got to practice my patience. Get injured? Good, I got a chance to learn to move even better, etc.
Now, we’ve heard some great gems of advice, but this one is fantastic, right?! SO, SO, SO true. —Jenn