None
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, Canada's own 'first lady,' has had a varied career as a media personality, yoga instructor, and an inspiring activist on a variety of subjects including self-esteem, gender empowerment, mental health, and equality issues relating to women and children. She has many inspiring achievements, yet has remained charismatic, relatable, and approachable in character.
As Grégoire-Trudeau celebrates her 42nd birthday here are a few lessons we can learn from her.
Find your voice
Montreal born, Grégoire-Trudeau is fully bilingual. She studied commerce at McGill University, with the intention of following in her father, Jean Grégoire’s footsteps and becoming a stockbroker. As do many of us when choosing a career, she switched routes. She finished her B.A. in Communications at the Université de Montréal, before studying radio and television at École de radio et télévision Promédia in Montreal. She worked in sales and advertising before landing a job as a journalist in LCN’s newsroom as a cultural reporter.
A few months after she married Justin Trudeau in 2005, she was hired as the Quebec cultural reporter for CTV’s etalk. She became a host and contributor to many other shows including Salut-Bonjour Weekend on TVA, Coup de Pouce and Les Lionnes on Radio-Canada, and CBC Radio One to name a few.
Don't be afraid to share your story
Grégoire-Trudeau has been open about her struggle with bulimia, which she says started when she was about 17 years old. The illness continued until she was in her early 20s, when she eventually reached out to her mother, Estelle Blais, for help to get treatment. She has spoken about this often and has done advocacy work for agencies, such as the Clinique des troubles alimentaires (BACA) and the Bulimia Anorexia Nervosa Association (BANA), both of which offer support to people suffering from eating disorders. She has also collaborated with renowned researchers working on behalf of women’s mental health. Her willingness to open up about her suffering and connect to other sufferers has undoubtedly made positive differences in the lives of many.
Grégoire-Trudeau has also used her voice to bring attention to other issues she is passionate about, including women’s self-esteem and violence against women. She became a national ambassador for Plan Canada’s “Because I am a Girl” Initiative, which aims to achieve lasting improvements in the quality of life of girls in developing countries and has acted as a spokesperson for FitSpirit and Fillactive, charities that encourage teenage girls to pursue a healthy, active, balanced lifestyle. She also became a spokesperson for the Shield of Athena, a non-profit organization for victims of domestic abuse.
In addition, she has participated in the UN Women National Committee Canada, Dove’s “Pay Beauty Forward” program, 60 Million Girls Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, Girls for the Cure, and the Looking Glass Foundation, among many others. She was the recipient of the 2013 UN Women National Committee Canada Recognition Award for her contribution to human rights.
When Grégoire-Trudeau first sought treatment, she says it was her mother who helped her realize the importance of empathy toward others, and she continues to put forth her mother’s message.
Find a way to stay connected to your inner self
An energetic and charismatic personality shines out of Grégoire-Trudeau. Her willingness to explore spirituality after her difficulties led her to study hatha yoga and attain her certification...she has even offered classes on a volunteer basis at a public school close to her home. She affirms that yoga, therapy and time healed her from what she describes as an incentive/reward-driven addiction.
In 2016, she was named a Woman for Nature by the conservation charity, Nature Canada. Truth and authenticity stand out as her highest values, which she shows in her political worldview. In the week before Election Day, Grégoire Trudeau said in an interview with CTV that even if her husband was elected prime minister, things would not change much for her and that she and her family, including their children Xavier James, Ella Grace, and Hadrien, would remain real, authentic and grounded.
One quote of hers, in particular, speaks to Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau’s consistent message:
"What we need is more goodness in society, and people are ready to elevate not only their thinking but their awareness of human consciousness to a more refined place."