Catherine "Cathy" LeFrançois (formerly Priest), (born February 12, 1971) is a professional female bodybuilder and figure competitor from Canada. She was ranked as the 10th best female bodybuilder in the IFBB Pro Women's Bodybuilding Ranking List, as of 2013.[3]
Cathy LeFrançois was born on February 12, 1971, in Amqui, Quebec. She was adopted at the age of 4 and has two sisters, Nancy and Annie, and one brother, Joy-Yan. Her mother was a nurse and her dad was a school cook. They were both focused on working to build their retirement and provide for their children.
When LeFrançois was 14 years old she noticed that a classmate, Steve Beaulieu, had big veiny forearms. She asked him how he got them. He said he was training at home with some dumbbells. After noticing her interest he brought her a magazine with Cory Everson on the cover. She immediately told him that she wanted to be like her. Later on she saw a guy, Rick Voyer, with huge legs and calves. She asked him how he got them. He said it was from speed skating, so she started speed skating and competed for many years. Her friend, Steve, always gives her motivation. At her first speed skating competition she won three gold medals. While looking for Steve at school a friend told her that he had been killed by a drunk driver. From that moment on, her entire career has been dedicated to him.[1]
She won five medals in the Quebec provincial championships, an accomplishment that has not been equaled since. She earned her pro card in 1995 when she won the overall title at the CBBF Canada Cup.[1]
LeFrançois made her pro debut at the 1995 Jan Tana Classic. In 1996, she retired from bodybuilding due to the politics of the sport. She returned to the sport in 1999. She competed exclusively as a lightweight once weight classes were introduced in pro shows in 2000. Her best achievement as a professional was winning the lightweight class at the 2003 Ms. International.[1]
After 2003, she retired from bodybuilding and transitioned to figure competition, competing in her first figure contests in 2005.[1]
