Photo credits: Canadian Olympic Committee / Photo courtesy of Philippe Marquis / RDS / Getty Images

Q. What was the best moment for you at your two Olympic Games?
A. “In a sports career, it’s quite rare to have a “perfect” moment, where time seems to stop. We experience what is commonly called a “flow” state — mind and body working in perfect harmony. In my career, I can count those moments on one hand. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to have one in my first final at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. This particular run provisionally put me in second place. While waiting for my score, I locked eyes with my parents who were watching from the stands and I knew something special had just happened.”

Q. How did you push yourself every day to keep training with such determination?
A. “As an athlete, I have always had a lot of ambition (even today)! But, you have to accept that you’re not going to feel motivated every single day. Nevertheless, each day is an opportunity to move closer to your ultimate goal(s). Whenever I felt overfaced by the enormity of a particular goal, I would always try to break down my ambitions into smaller tasks to get my head back in the game. In the final years of my career, I tried to vary my approach to training. I wouldn’t stick with a task if I didn’t achieve the result I wanted. I worked on other technical or mental aspects, and then I went back to the task later, in a much better state of mind.”

Q. How did you respond to victory and defeat?
A. “Victories are always celebrated, whether large or small. Even though I competed in an individual sport, I have always been very grateful for my team and the staff who helped me achieve my successes. As for defeat, there is no doubt that it is always a bitter pill to swallow. A feeling of inferiority, of missing an opportunity… And you start to question the process. However, over time, as you mature, you learn to deal with the moments where you under-perform. You try to move on quickly, to learn from your mistakes and inevitably, to come back stronger, thanks to the things you have learned.”

Q. At what point did you know you wanted to put all your energy into getting to the Olympics?
A. “The seed was sown from a very young age. I was still at my regional club in Stoneham, following in the footsteps of my brother Vincent, and the idea had already taken root that I wanted to compete with the biggest names in my sport. But it was really after the 2010 Vancouver Olympics that I realized that my talent was not enough, and that I really had to step up my game to reach the top. Although what followed was a real roller coaster, my work ethic and attention to detail rose to a new level.”

Q. Did you have a pre-competition ritual? 
A. “I mostly relied on visualization and warm-up routines that allowed me to get into the “zone” on the morning of a competition. What made all the difference over time was surrounding myself with positive people who I had fun with, and having positive thoughts, simple keywords and some internal “arrogance” that helped me believe in myself. It took me several years to convince myself that I not only belonged in the elite, but that I was elite when I put myself in the position to perform optimally. ”

Q. What did you find the most challenging during your athletic career?
A. “Juggling my injuries has always been a big challenge. But actually, it could simply be starting again at the beginning of the summer, embarking on long months of training, clearing your mind and setting new goals. Competing, travelling and skiing the world’s best pistes was the real thrill. Fortunately, as a freestyle skier, I was able to compartmentalize my summers into several blocks where I practised different skills. Repetition can be a drag, but the changes in pace, practising different sports and the variety in my training have all been motivating factors that helped me to remain hungry throughout the years.”

Q. What do you take away from your athletic career?
A. “The world that opened up before my eyes during those years, the people I met, the places I discovered. How lucky I was to make a living from my passion, from sport, during all those years. The extraordinary successes, the crushing defeats. The world of sport provided me with a chapter in my life that was full of thrills and excitement, for me to feel fired up and alive. I discovered a strong resilience within myself, overcoming tests and challenges that I never thought possible. I ran into several walls, but they helped me to get through, to trust myself and fully invest in what I was doing. And through all this, I have unforgettable memories, friends and an extraordinary family.”

Q. What has sport brought to your professional life today?
A. “Today, I have the opportunity to train the next generation of young skiers. I am experiencing it all over again, but from the perspective of the mentor, the guide, the companion. I feel like I can be a source of inspiration and have a real impact on my athletes every day. I am better at adapting. I am certainly more attentive and open-minded in an environment that no longer necessarily revolves around me, but around the young adults who are learning the benefits of sport and this way of life, which challenges them at various levels. This profession allows me to pass on my knowledge and share stories with an audience who are in the process of learning who they are. Sport allows me to empathize with my athletes because not so long ago, I was in their shoes myself. “