Eva-Rose Lupien: A life in balance

What were you doing at age 12, almost 13? What were your priorities?
For Eva-Rose Lupien, the answer is simple: she’s aiming for the top in gymnastics—and backing it with more than 20 hours of training per week.

Met during one of her sessions, Eva-Rose, a gymnast at Gymini, doesn’t realize how different her daily “routine” is from that of most kids her age. To her, it’s all perfectly normal.

But a single day in her life would be enough to wear out most people.

A Day in the Life

6:30 AM – Her day begins.
7:30 AM – Her mother drives her from their home in Hudson to Chêne-Bleu High School in Pincourt (the only school with a sport-study program that fits her needs).
8:00 AM to 12:15 PM – She’s in class (though her mind is already on her afternoon session).
12:30 PM – She hops on the bus to Centre Multisports, using that downtime to eat.
1:00 PM to 5:30 PM – She trains, maximizing every minute.

And after that? She makes up the 30% of schoolwork not covered in class.

“We cover about 70% of the material at school. I do the rest on my own,” she says, matter-of-factly.

Then it’s time to prep her snacks and meals for the next day.

On weekends, if there’s time, she goes for runs.

“Her coaches recommend taking a full week off now and then,” explains her mother, Isabelle Marleau,
“but after two days, Eva-Rose is already eager to return.”

A Natural Gift

Eva-Rose’s talent showed early. Though enrolled in figure skating at age four, she only had eyes for gymnastics. Friends of the family urged her parents to let her try.

“She was always walking on her hands or doing cartwheels. Her talent is innate,” recalls her mother.

Her potential was quickly recognized by Gymini’s coaches, who fast-tracked her to competition groups. Her results speak for themselves:

• 2016: Québec Champion in Espoirs 1 + Eastern Canada Championship

• 2019: 1st on Beam, 3rd on Floor, 7th All-Around at Québec Championships

• 2019: 1st on Beam and Floor, 7th on Bars, 8th on Vault, 4th Overall at Eastern Canadian Championships

She was also invited to Gymnastique Québec’s Jeune Élite Camp—and has qualified for every Québec championship since 2016. That’s rare.

Her “weakest” event?

“Bars are my nemesis,” she admits with a smile. But she doesn’t avoid the challenge.
“When event specialists come on weekends, I make sure I’m there too.”

Commitment Without Compromise

Injury-free to date, Eva-Rose owes much to her consistency and determination. Her mother offers a telling example:
She prepares a high-calcium concoction to strengthen her daughter’s bones. It smells... unpleasant.

“But Eva-Rose drinks it without complaint. It’s good for her performance—she doesn’t need more convincing.”

Her focus is unshakable:

“I want to join Team Canada, become a national champion, and one day go to the Olympics. I focus on one challenge at a time, complete it, then move on.”

Even holidays don’t distract her.

“She loves trick-or-treating like any kid,” says her mom, “but after Halloween, she limits herself to one or two candies per day—her choice, no complaints.”

And she’s aware her lifestyle isn’t typical.

“When I’m invited to a sleepover, I can’t stay too late. I have training in the morning. But I don’t mind—I love gymnastics.”

So how does she keep going?

“Gymnastics is what motivates me. On the mornings I don’t feel like school, I remind myself I get to train in the afternoon.”

She’s not just balanced on the beam—she’s balanced in life.