Introducing Our Champions for Life Ambassadors
Our Champions for Life
Ambassador Network
includes passionate athletes, educators, and critical skill leaders committed to sharing their knowledge and support to help promote the development of physical literacy in our communities.
Our "Chef de Mission!"
Jo-Annie Fortin
2012 Olympian in Artistic Swimming | Happily Married and Mother of 2 | Motivational Speaker | Consultant in Training and Organizational Development at Investissement Québec.
Jo-Annie's athletic, educational and life experiences allow her to give back as a leader amongst leaders. She shares her passion through her family, work, friendships, public speaking and community engagement while staying active and striving for healthy growth.
"Being a Champion for Life means to know oneself, be healthy of body and mind, and to have the abilities to feel great and do good!"
Donald Cormier
Multi-sport Coach and Physical Activity and Play Activist.
Donald is a former college baseball player and all-around athlete who is a bright star in the heart of French Acadian New Brunswick, Canada. He is a husband, father, and lovingly renowned as "Coach Don" for developing the love of sport for all children in his community.
"A Champion for Life is a source of inspiration, inspiring others to be the best version of themselves."
Jon Geller
Athletic Therapist and Reconditioning Specialist, NHL.
Jon is a former athlete and cancer survivor who shares his passion for quality sports and athletic performance with others. Family, friends, and a sense of purpose drive Jon to be the best he can be and bring the best out in others.
"Being a Champion for Life means empowering others to be their best selves."
Geneviève Jeanson
Former Professional Cyclist, 2000 Olympian.
Geneviève was a professional cyclist for 10 years. She represented Canada at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, won several World Cups as well as two junior World Championships. Geneviève returned to her studies at the age of 30 to continue on the academic path that was interrupted by her cycling career when she was a teenager. She is now the head trainer at a fitness studio in Montreal and lives a full, enriching life. She mentors young women in professional cycling and is increasingly active in advancing safe sport policies for athletes. Geneviève returned to competition on the pro gravel circuit in 2022.
"A champion for life for me means that you have the tools to be the best version of yourself throughout the different periods of life. That you learned what your “being” needs to perform in the tasks of life: being your authentic self, a good parent, friend, employee, athlete, musician, etc. For me it also includes knowing how to listen to yourself and change how you take care of yourself when the habits you had previously do not work anymore. Change is scary, but doing scary things is one of the only ways, I found, to truly actualize. Personally, I no longer want to win at only one thing anymore. I want to win at my life. My whole, life!"
Matthew Lombardi
Former Professional Hockey Player, NHL and Memorial Cup Champion.
Matthew has had a successful career as a professional hockey player and continues to be involved in shaping young athletes to be the best they can be, no matter what life throws at them. He is happily married and a proud father of two lovely, active girls like their parents. He is part owner of the Victoriaville Tigers and volunteers time to various organizations and causes.
"A Champion for Life always believes in their ability regardless of the challenge they face with confidence, positivity, accountability, and best effort."
Michael Matheson
Professional Hockey Player, NHL.
Michael is an established professional hockey player with a strong sense of family and community. Eager to be the best he can be for himself, his family, and his team, Michael is at the height of his athletic career while starting a family of his own. He recognizes the importance of every moment along the journey called life.
"A Champion for Life finds the love in what they do and are completely present in everything they do."
Dickens Mathurin
National Taekwondo Champion | Pan American Champion | General Manager at the Little Burgundy Sports Centre | Proud Husband and Father.
Having been athletic his whole life and achieving early success at the national and international level in Taekwondo, Dickens lives and embodies the true nature of a martial artist. Moreover, he has always promoted a healthy and active lifestyle in his community and through his work, as well as in his family. He is affectionately called "Master Yoda" by his students and those closest to him.
"Being a Champion for Life means to wake up everyday with the goal of being the best version of yourself. It means having the discipline and making the effort to do what you need to do to accomplish your goals. It is also about treating everyone with respect and having the humility to recognize our imperfections and use our failures and defeats as sources of learning to always improve ourselves and push our limits."
Marinette Pichon
Former French football player | Columnist RDS | General Manager Lasalle Rapides.
Marinette is an icon in the soccer world: she is known in France as the "Zidane of women's soccer!" In 2003, she was recognized as the top player in the prestigious American Professional League, the WUSA (Women's United Soccer Organization). While there is no doubt about her athletic talent, Marinette has struggled to reach the top and gain acceptance both on and off the field. Retired from professional sports, she remains committed to the promotion of sports and is fulfilled by the family she has started with her wife.
"For me, being a Champion for Life means being able to share my experience, my knowledge, the enriching moments of my life as well as the values that have allowed me (and still allow me) to write new pages."
Jacqueline Simoneau
2X Olympian in Artistic Swimming | Speaker | RBC Olympian | COC Athletes’ Commission | Student in Podiatric Medicine.
Jacqueline is a four-time gold medallist at the Pan American Games and participated in the Olympic Games in 2016 and 2021. She shares her passion for artistic swimming by coaching and inspiring young athletes in Canada and internationally. While her focus is now on pursuing a career in medicine, she continues to live and promote an active lifestyle through her involvement as an ambassador and speaker.
"Being a Champion for Life enables me to promote what I am passionate about and ignite the spark in future generations to build their physical literacy skills and chase their dreams like I have."
Alexandru Sorin
2015 World Games Karate Champion | Proud Father and Husband | Canadian National Karate Team Coach | Master Instructor | Owner Académie de Karaté Alexandru Sorin.
Aside from being an accomplished athlete, teacher, author, and life-long learner, Alexandru inspires many. He is an athlete through and through who wishes that everybody does their best and achieves the highest form of mental, physical, and spiritual health.
“I CAN persevere and find solutions to help myself and others, this is what sports helped me discover about being a Champion for Life.”
Aleksandra Wozniak
Former WTA player | Olympian | Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee 2022.
Aleksandra is often referred to as the “pioneer” of Quebec tennis. In 2008, she became the first French Canadian to win a WTA singles title, and in 2012, the first Canadian tennis player to participate in the Olympics. She made history and continues to contribute to Canadian tennis through her academy.
"To be a Champion for Life is to accomplish many small actions that will become big accomplishments."
