Yanick Boucher

Canada's Strongest Man
2024 - 7th
2023 - 11th

Best Lifts
Deadlift - 900lbs (408kg)
Backlift - 2570lbs (1166kg)
Yoke - 900lbs (408kg) for 70 feet in 12.11 seconds
Farmer Hold - 490lbs (222kg)

Biography
I started strongman in June 2023. Before that, I did several sports, including powerlifting and crossfit. I have always loved and wanted to be a strongman, but it took me a long time, because I had a big gap in my shoulders (I still have this gap, but I work a lot on it). I met Ben Court, who became my rival, my training partner and, above all, a friend. He informed me about upcoming competitions and gave me a lot of advice.

My greatest accomplishment as an athlete was firstly being able to make it to the Canadian Strongest Man, which also gave me the title of Professional Strongman in Canada. Then, it was being able to qualify for the Official Strongman Games, where I finished 17th out of more than 36 open athletes, from all over the world.

I train in Sherbrooke (Quebec, Canada), with Ben Court, at FxV Solution. It’s a small private gym, like a garage gym. I am currently trained by Maxime Boudreault and Samantha Belliveau of Maximum Strength Performance.

In everyday life, I am a mechanical engineering technician for Emerio Solutions, a consulting engineering firm. I am still studying to become a mechanical engineer. So, my life consists of juggling my life at home, with my partner Jordane and our animals, work, school and studies.

What is your favourite lifting memory?
There are two lifting memories that are my favorites. Chronologically, there is first the Louis Cyr backlift, which is an emblematic lift from Quebec. In my first competition, my first use of the machine, I finished first in the event, with a load of 1166 kg. Plus, I was just starting to strain. Then there is my deadlift during the Canadian Strongest Man, which I did over 408 kg.

What is one piece of advice you have for up and coming athletes getting into strength training or strength sport?
In any case, do it for yourself and for your pleasure. If you want to surpass yourself, learn your limits and learn to surpass them. Accept the discomfort. For that, I think the ideal is to find a rival. They don't have to have the same strengths or weaknesses. It’s just that if he does one more rep, you do two more.

What is your favourite lift or event?
My favorite lift is the deadlift because it is the one for which I am capable of surpassing myself the most. I like having this internal battle in my head, where I just have to say to myself: no Yanick, one more rep.

What is your favourite product and why?
13mm Belt
It is undeniably the best belt. It is also, I think, the most useful piece during all my training and competitions.

What 3 other items are your go to and why?
Knee Sleeves
Flexible Large Wrist Wraps
Elbow Sleeves
These are the accessories that will be the most useful for the majority of competitions or training.

What colourway is your favourite and why?
Classic
These are my favorite colors and the ones I wear most days. Red also remains, subjectively, a very dynamic color.

Why do you believe SBD is the gear all athletes should use?
SBD are deeply invested in sports and their athletes. To do this, it offers quality products. At my first powerlifting competition, I had a belt from another company. It broke a few days before the competition. As my replacement part had not arrived on time, I went to the store to buy an SBD belt. This was the first time I used this belt. However, I was more comfortable in the SBD one, than the one I had trained with for over a year. My first SBD sleeves that I bought were about 5 years ago. I changed them because I became a sponsored athlete, not because they were worn out.

Why do you believe in working with SBD Canada as a Sponsored Athlete?
I find it necessary to work with a company for which we have a certain pride to represent. I personally would not want to work for a company that offers products that I do not support. I also know that I can have blind confidence in the products that SBD will develop. Ultimately, SBD really takes care of their athletes.

Photo Credit: Deadlift-Josée De Lachevrotière