By taking an impromptu photo in front of his childhood home on the North Coast and adding a motivational message encouraging people to believe in their dreams, strongman Hugo Girard had no idea he would have more for his latest Facebook post would collect 44,000 likes and 1900 positive comments.
This article describes the satisfaction the 51-year-old feels when he stops and looks at the work he has done. “When I left my village [Portneuf-sur-Mer]I said, ‘I’m going to lift 400 pounds and become a world champion.’ I did it,” says the man who will publish a book about health and healthy lifestyle habits in the fall of 2024.
dreams come true
The strong man behind the shows 3,2,1 BBQ and Les rénos d’Hugo wrote on Facebook: “Every time I go to my home village and see my childhood house, it reminds me of the dream I had. “When I was young. I dreamed of being the strongest. I just want to remind you that dreams do come true!”
“Sometimes we reach people through the simplicity and sincerity of the messages. I find it powerful to see that it inspires. Several people have sent me testimonials, people are proud, it’s all good for the soul,” admits Hugo Girard in an interview with the Journal.
He believes that the real challenge is not to be better than others, but to be proud of your own achievements, develop them and use them to move forward and, why not, to inspire people.
“In my town back then, people became fishermen or lumberjacks. I wanted to stand out from the crowd and create something different for my future. The dream of strength came from my father and love of training. It was a vehicle to leave the North Coast and return there better when I grew up,” explains the personality, who purchased a chalet in his community.
TOMA ICZKOVITS/QMI AGENCY
Challenges and pitfalls
This “second floor right window” that we can see in the photo of his Facebook publication reminds Hugo Girard of the beautiful memories but also of the pitfalls and challenges that he has had to overcome over the years. He also uses the analogy of the mountain we often climb alone and the people who don’t see us until we reach the top.
“I come from this small town and don’t have much; It started here, in my room, with my entire perspective on things. It is this motivation that made me do what I do. When I’m in difficult times, I think about it,” he says.
The strong man would advise young Hugo to believe in himself and not let others tell him what he should do. Doing what he loves too, because “it’s the passion that has to drive you above all else.”
“Success is not tied to money or trophies, but to self-realization. You don’t have to be popular, but you do have to know yourself. Then we feel better,” he adds.