Dorothée Chouinard: Finding Herself Through Sport
At the age when Dorothée Chouinard was learning to walk, her parents were running, swimming, and cycling. Triathlon may have entered her life through the umbilical cord—sport has always been a part of it.
The Tri-O-Lacs club saw her family grow and expand, and today the 15-year-old athlete, alongside her younger brother and little sister, has ambitions as high as the effort she puts into training:
"Triathlon is essential—it’s my lifestyle," says the 4th-year high school student at Collège Bourget. "Without it, I wouldn’t know what to do. I do it for myself."
Sport to Relax
Dorothée has been involved in triathlon for many years, but only recently realized her true potential. In her first U15 competition in Joliette, she won—and went on to win the next four. She ended the season just half a point away from first place.
"As long as I enjoy it and I’m satisfied with my result, there’s nothing more to do during a race," she says. "It’s the little things like sleep and nutrition that make you go further."
To push further, she gives herself every chance: she’s enrolled in Collège Bourget’s "Passion" program, designed to enhance student motivation through sport. Six out of every nine days, she trains for 1 to 2 hours. She’s coached by her Tri-O-Lacs coach, trains in Florida at a camp supported by Triathlon Québec, swims for the Collège Bourget swim team, and works out at the Centre Multisports with athletics coach Claude David. She trains 48 weeks a year:
"Sport helps me relax," she explains. "I’ve always been calm, serene. I take care of myself. I don’t do it for others—not my parents, coaches, or friends—I do it for me."
Sport to Teach
Dorothée’s maturity benefits the younger kids she now coaches. On Sundays, she leads the 11-year-olds at Tri-O-Lacs. She already knows that effort becomes easier when you enjoy what you’re doing and have a goal:
"Love what you do, because otherwise it’s not worth being here," she often tells her group. "Many of my friends quit because they no longer saw the point. But having goals is important—otherwise you lose focus and forget why you're here."
Sport to Go Beyond
Is there stress in managing such a full life—student, athlete, sister, daughter—at an age where many teens try to slow down? She understands stress well:
"If you're happy to be there and in the right place, you shouldn’t feel stress—except for competition. If you feel forced or unhappy, you're not in the right place. You hurt yourself, add pressure, and create stress."
Surpassing Mom
She glances in the rearview mirror at times, but mostly, Dorothée looks forward. She’s aiming to qualify for the 2017 Canada Games. But beyond competitions, she's already outpaced those who introduced her to the sport. In swimming, her specialty, her parents no longer keep up. Especially her mom:
"She keeps improving. It’s in her," says Nadine, her mother. "What impresses me most is the joy she finds in what she does, and her positive attitude. She knows how to manage effort so it stays fulfilling."
Before we part ways, Dorothée speaks about her future—she knows she'll work in a field related to sport and communication. Our conversation ends as Coach David, athlete Chouinard, and mom Nadine talk about training and goals—right back into the everyday rhythm that suits Dorothée Chouinard so well.