By Lisa Parent

Bodybuilder gains thousands of TikTok followers with inspiring journey

Jul 26, 2023 | 6:21 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Body builders spend endless hours in the gym, trying to perfect their bodies for competition. However, it isn’t just about physical appearance. For many, it’s a lifestyle.

Born and raised Hatter Émilie Beriault started because of the positive impact it has on her mental health.

“I always say it was for my mental health. That was where it all started. It truly, truly has helped. I’ve been in therapy for the last few years, and actually throughout this five month prep, my therapist and I agreed that I didn’t need to see her so regularly,” Beriault explained.

Beriault was diagnosed with anxiety, depression and ADHD, and the isolation during the pandemic worsened her experience. In an effort to get Beriault back on her feet a friend started taking her to the gym every day, which is when she fell in love with how it improved her mental health.

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Over the past year she began to take bodybuilding more seriously and entered her first competition that wrapped up last weekend. The 20 year old managed to place second in the wellness category, and first in the overall figure category.

As she continues on through her bodybuilding journey, she also brings thousands of supporters along with her. Beriault has a TikTok Page where she posts her progress to her 60,000 followers.

“That’s what also kind of gave me that confidence and that push where I was like, ‘whoa, people love seeing this, I’m doing something I love, I’m sharing something I love with people.’ And people love that I’m so passionate about it, and there’s people supporting me that don’t even know me,” said Beriault.

In 10 days, Beriault is heading to Toronto for bodybuilding nationals, where she hopes to learn, grow and meet other bodybuilders.