Blog 8

Choices > Sacrifices

To be an elite athlete, you have to make sacrifices on a daily. If your goal is to become a professional, you must dedicate your life to your sport and your passion. And if sacrifices are too hard for you to make and you start resenting yourself afterwards, then you were simply not built to be a professional athlete.

I have lived and breathed for soccer since I was a teenager. Since the first time I wore the Quebec Soccer Federation jersey at 13 years old, I knew soccer would be the most important aspect of my life. Looking back to almost a decade ago, I never thought I would be where I am today. However, if I look at all the sacrifices I have made to reach the highest level, I know I am exactly where I am supposed to be.

I was still a kid when I understood what I had to do to be GREAT. I have had teammates ask me how I was able to sacrifice things like social time and nights out so easily. To be honest, these were not sacrifices because they were never part of my lifestyle. Getting good nights of sleep, working hard, eating well and maintaining focus are the things I needed to do. I chose to never compromise on that.

At the age of 14, I moved away from home to attend the best training center (National Training Center or CNHP) in my province. Despite what people may think, it was one of the easiest decision I have ever taken: I knew this was the move I needed to make to advance my soccer career. Leaving my family and friends was a sacrifice I had to make, and maintaining relationships is extremely hard. It was hard then, and it still is to this day. As a teenager, you want to have a lot of friends, you want to be popular, you want to experience things, etc. But beside that, you also miss your family and you lose friends who do not necessarily understand your level of commitment. 

If you could ask some of my old coaches to describe me in one word, I can bet they would all say: PROFESSIONALISM. I believe work ethic and dedication are what makes the greatest athletes. Doing the right thing all the time is hard. It takes commitment and accountability. Through the years, I tried to surround myself only with people that challenge, teach, and motivate me. My closest friends are people like me, who are on their own mission. Maintaining relationships is hard; I moved away from home when I was 14, and then went to college in Memphis, and now I am in Finland until November 2019. However, I know whom I can count on, and I believe in quality over quantity when it comes to my relationships.

When you are committing to a goal, you must understand what choices you make to move forward. At one point, the word sacrifice becomes foreign. There are no sacrifices anymore; just one goal and a clear path to it. You will value a good night of sleep over a night out because you know you have to workout the next day. Moreover, you will know who supports you, because they will celebrate your effort to become better instead of judging them negatively.

The journey to become a professional athlete is not an easy one. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But I can guarantee you: IT’S ALL WORTH IT.

Blog 7

Video Assistant Referee… is it Necessary?

Am I the only fan who thinks Video Assistant Referee was trying to steal the show at the Women’s World Cup? Despite the fact that VAR originated from the desire to make the game as fair as possible, I believe it was taken too far.

FIFA talked about this technology for years, weighing the pros and cons and the impact it would have on the game. They feared VAR would take away some of the referees’ power and slow the game down. Mistakes happen during games; players miss passes, shots, free kicks, etc. Similarly, referees miss handballs, fouls and offsides.

Personally, I won and lost games due to referees’ mistakes, but in my opinion, it is part of the game. Therefore, I am not a Video Assistant Referee fan.

First, it slows the game down. When I first heard of VAR, I thought it would be a fast process, and that assistant referees in the control room would reverse, if necessary, the referee’s decision within seconds. However, we all know this is not how it worked. When in doubt, the referee gets in touch with its assistants in the control room, who than decide whether or not the referee should then look at the specific play. During the England vs. Cameroun game, this whole process took four minutes! Four minutes during which the players were just standing around… This just breaks the natural flow of the game. It sucks for the players who have to stand around during a process that could change the course of the game, and for the fans watching.

Second, some players now think they are the referees. Because a replay is now possible, players and coaches give themselves the right to ask for it whenever they feel like it could give them an advantage. As soon as a call is made, some players feel it is appropriate to challenge the decision although it is not theirs to make. I do believe VAR is taking away the referee’s power. In fact, they do not have the authority they once had on the soccer field.

My last concern with this technology is the lack of guidelines on how, and when to use it. We saw VAR being used a lot during the first rounds of the World Cup. However, as the tournament progressed, the referees did not use it as much. That is when I understood there was no set guideline to this process. I think the future of VAR will rely on rules surrounding the use of this technology. During the World Cup, VAR was used for various reasons such as check for offsides and possible penalty kicks. But sometimes, it was not used at all. Why? The inconsistencies throughout the tournament created confusion and frustration for both the fans and the players.

To conclude, I believe FIFA will have to establish rules and guideline to justify the use of Video Assistant Referee in major competitions. Otherwise, it will only create confusion and hurt the flow of the game. I am really interested to see what steps FIFA takes to legitimize this new technology in the next competitions.

 

Blog 6

A World Cup to Remember

This 2019 Women’s World Cup was such a success. The women’s game has improved so much in the last four years. Every group was a tough group, and there were no easy game! I obviously came into this tournament with my favorite teams, but I must admit that by the end of it, I wanted to see the best performance win.

One moment that truly moved me was Marta’s field interview after Brazil lost to France in the round of 16. She urged the younger generations to step up to the challenge and make sure the ship (women’s football) keeps moving forward. Her emotions were palpable. I think she knew it could be her last World Cup game ever and she gave the best exit speech. She encouraged young girls and women to work harder and not to take setbacks or failures as final destinations. Marta is a pioneer and her words carry weight: the future depends on us.

I was also waiting impatiently to review the TV broadcasting numbers. Millions and millions of people watched the tournament. According to BBC News, the increase in viewership will force FIFA and broadcasting companies to reassess their current structures. More than 14 million people viewed the World Cup final featuring the United States and the Netherlands, which represents a 22% increase since the men’s final last year. There is no doubt: there are so many opportunities now to invest in the women’s game, and I cannot wait to see how women’s football will grow in the next couple of years.

A lot of attention was directed toward American forward Megan Rapinoe. After a video of her saying “I am not going to the f***ing White House” got out, she also called out FIFA and other federations prior to the final. In her press conference, she stated that people now start to appreciate how massive the women’s game is becoming, but yet, refuse to give it the attention and care it deserves to bloom. The increasing viewership numbers should be reflected in the prize money and the ways women are treated by FIFA. When so much has been done for the game, there is still so much more to be done toward equality. I am not strictly talking about equal pay, but also equal treatment and equal opportunities.

To conclude, this past World Cup was a pivotal moment for the women’s game. Marta broke the record for the most goals scored with a total of 17, the United States scored the most goals in a World Cup game in a 13-0 win over Thailand, and the final game was watched by over 14 million people.

Besides the social impacts this Women’s World Cup had on women and football, I am curious to see how the next tournaments will utilize VAR. Video Assistant Referee has been heavily talked about during this tournament. My next blog will discuss what I think about Video Assistant Referee.

Stay on the look at for that next week!

Blog 5

2019 Women’s World Cup beyond the games

I did not post a blog last week; first because my mother came to visit Marie and I in Oulu, and second because I wanted to wait until the group stage of the 2019 World Cup in France was completed. It is such an exciting time! I know I am not the only person who works her schedule around the games. For the next month, my free time is whenever there is not a game on TV. This World Cup is very special. Since the last World Cup in Canada four years ago, women’s soccer has evolved so much. The level of play just keeps getting better and better.

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FRANCE: The Hostesses

I have always been a huge fan of the French team. With the Quebec Soccer Federation, I was able to play the French National team when they were preparing for the last World Cup in Canada (2015). I was able to talk with the players and even swapped jerseys with former captain Wendie Renard. It is hard to host a World Cup because the expectations are extremely high. We all remember in 2014 when Brazil hosted the men’s World Cup and lost against Germany by a large score… It can be hard to win at home and it was only achieved a couple of times. Therefore, I have high hopes for the French team and I picked them to win this World Cup. They performed well during the group stage with three victories against South Korea, Nigeria and Norway. If they beat Brazil in the round of 16, they will then face a confident team from the United States.

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The USA broke RECORDS!!

As the defending champions, the United States had a lot to prove in this opening stage. Their first game against Thailand was the perfect opportunity to open this World Cup, break the ice, take away the nerves and gain confidence for the remainder of the tournament. YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED: They scored 13 goals and broke the record for the most goals scored in one FIFA game. At the end of the group stage, the team broke another record for the most goals scored in the group phase with 18 total goals. This team had difficulties scoring in the friendly games in preparation to France, but it seems like they are now back on track. It will be interesting to see what they do next against Spain.

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ITALY did not come to PLAY

Italy is this World Cup surprise. In my opinion, they were in the most competitive group with Brazil, Australia and Jamaica. They really came to play and I have been impressed with individuals like no.4 Galli who scored a hat trick against Jamaica, no. 10 Girelli and no.11 Bonansea. With 6 points, they won their group. The Italians will face China in the round of 16 and I think they can advance to a quarter- final game if they play the way they have in the group stage.

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BRAZIL and its PIONEERS

I believe this needs to get more attention: no. 8 Formiga is competing in her seventh World Cup. She played her first International game with the Brazilian team at the age of 17 as part of the 1995 squad. Now at the age of 41, she still dominates the midfield. Moreover, during Brazil’s last group stage game, Marta broke the record for most goals scored in FIFA World Cup history. With 17 goals, she surpassed the German Miroslav Klose and she is now leading the board.

What a record-breaking World Cup it has been so far! With much more games to go, history is about to be made. It is so incredibly inspiring to see how these women are changing the face of soccer. Cheers to many more games!

Blog 4

The difference between College Soccer and Finnish Football

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I have been in Finland for more than a month now. It did not take me long before I noticed the differences in physicality and pace of the game between Finnish Football and NCAA Soccer.

In college soccer, there is a fighting mentality very unique to the United States. In youth clubs, I was always considered a physical player. However, college soccer is a different beast, and I was not the strongest player on the field. It took me an entire season (my freshman year, Fall 2015) to get adjusted to this level of physicality and learn how to use my strength on the pitch. Speed work, run mechanics and weightlifting during the off-season helped me become more efficient in my movements and stronger in 1vs.1 situations.

Besides getting stronger and learning how to use my body, I had to change my entire mentality. Of course, I never liked loosing. Loosing sucks. But college soccer took this hatred to another level. College soccer is a very emotional game. In my second blog, I wrote that hard work could beat talent. I stand by that; teams that wear their hearts on their sleeves and outwork their opponents often do better in the NCAA.

This aggressiveness on the pitch creates very fast pace games. As a midfielder, you run up and down the field, from box to box the entire 90 minutes. This style of play is very demanding, which is why fitness is an area of the game many college programs focus on yearlong.

On the other hand, Finnish football focuses more on the tactical and technical work, which results in a much slower game pace. During my first month here, I noticed how technical the players are. They are extremely agile with the ball at their feet and they are very good at finishing (they can bend it like Beckham!!). Besides their technical capabilities, they are also very successful in confined spaces.

However, it is slightly different when you take the game on a larger field. They are still very good in 1vs.1 situation because of their dribbling skills, but fitness and athleticism is not as big of a focus here. Therefore, they let the ball do most of the job and keeping possession is the primary focus. The pace of the game is slower and more settled; teams will create their opportunity through patience and ball movement. Successful teams are the one who understand the game very well are break their opponents down through ball movement.

I must admit I never was the most athletic player on my teams. Never. So, my style of play was always more similar to European football. Therefore, when I transitioned from my youth clubs to college soccer, it took me a year to adapt. My time in Memphis allowed me to become faster, stronger and fitter. These qualities, mixed with the ones I already possessed when I began my career have made me a better player. The adjustment from youth club to NCAA soccer was harder for me, than NCAA soccer to Naisten Liiga (premier division of women’s football in Finland). Moreover, by bringing energy and a fighting mentality to my team here (ONS), I know I am making my teammates better by introducing them to a new style of play.

Blog 3

How to deal with an injury without letting it change you?

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Injuries, whether they require short or long rehab periods, are often a challenge for athletes. I could speculate and say that 95% of us let our sport define us. Remember that first day of class every semester where the teacher asks all students to introduce themselves to the class? This is how I did it all four years in Memphis: “My name is Catherine Levasseur and I am a soccer player”.

When an injury happens and takes away our sport, it feels like we lose a part of ourselves. For athletes like me who are very professional in their approach to the game, it is even worst. I put a lot into my preparation: I eat well, get good nights of sleep, roll out, get in early before practice to warm up, and stay late after practice to do recovery. Because I do the most off the field to stay as healthy as possible, when I get injured it feels like a failure.

When athletes get injured, they doubt themselves not only as players but also as individuals. It is a time where we feel lost. Our schedule is shaken up. We don’t go out to the field and we are not around our teammates as much. In other words, what we used to look forward to everyday is taken away when injuries happen. However, there are ways in which athletes can remain connected to their sports even during injuries.

First, be the loudest person on the sideline and encourage your teammates during weights, practices or games. You may not be able to contribute on the field, but your energy and your encouragements from the sideline will make a huge different on the pitch. Your voice can help your teammates bring out their best game. During my time in Memphis, one senior tore her ACL, and she was not able to play the remainder of the season. However, she did not let her injury change her. She was always very loud on the sideline and her energy was contagious. She helped the team in her own way and her passion for the game did not go unnoticed.

Second, you must trust the process, your trainers and their expertise. Injuries definitely teach you patience, but having faith in your trainers’ abilities to get you back on the field stronger than ever is essential. Without trust in this partnership, your recovery will not be as speedy as it could be. In addition, going back on the pitch too soon can aggravate your injury and keep you off for even longer. It can be frustrating, but understand that you are not the expert here, your trainer is. Trust him/her, do everything he/she tells you to do and work hard in rehab. Think about it this way: your teammates are working their tails off at practice, and so should you in rehab.

Lastly, know who your God is. Is God your God, or is your sport your God? As I said earlier in this post, athletes often defined themselves through their sports. However, we cannot let our sport defines us completely. Moreover, you cannot let your sport control how you feel on a day-to-day basis, and you cannot let an injury change you. Injuries are temporary. God may be testing you and this injury happened for a reason; there is a lesson for you to be learned. During times of hardship, being the best teammate you can be, support your team in any way you can, and trust the process will help you remain sane. Injuries are often unpreventable. They happen, and you cannot see them as failures; they are part of an athlete’s journey. Instead of focusing on the injury itself, focus on your comeback and turn this time of doubt into strength.

Blog 2

Lessons I took away from College

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College is a complex time. As a freshman, you are used to your old ways and feel comfortable with what you know. However, playing college sports challenges you in so many ways and your success depends on how well you can adjust to this fast pace lifestyle. During my four years at the University of Memphis, I learned so many valuable lessons. I will take them with me for the rest of my life, because they can apply to all aspects of life.

1. Be on Time. Always.

Being on time is important because it showcases your professionalism. There is nothing worse than getting to practice late and have to watch your teammates run until exhaustion because you messed up. I will give my Tigers family a shout out here, and talk about the train situation at the U of M. The train tracks in Memphis splits the campus in half; the main campus is on one side of the tracks and the athletics facilities on the other side. Freshmen are required to stay in the dorms on the main campus, which means you have to leave for practice earlier in case there is a train. This train can make you late for practice because it can last anywhere between 30 seconds to 20 minutes. I can definitely say that the train situation in Memphis encouraged me to always be on time, and ON TIME MEANS FIVE MINUTES EARLY. Don’t be that person who is always late to meetings or to practices, because it will poorly reflect on you and your character.

2. Effort requires no talent.

Growing up playing in clubs, I was always among the best players on my team. I was a captain and played major minutes every game. But when you get to college, all the girls on your team used to be the best players on their club team too. So, how can you set yourself apart? My work ethic kept me humble and my desire to always improve my craft turned me into a hard worker. My coaches at Memphis always valued effort and hard work. They taught me that a strong mentality and “hating to lose” could beat talent. It does not matter how talented you are. At this level, if you do not work hard and don’t wear your heart on your sleeve, you will not be as successful as you could be. Effort requires no talent, and if you are not willing to give your all in everything you do, you are just selling yourself short.

3. Control what you can control.

There are so many events and factors at play in life, and you cannot control all of them at the same time. Dwelling on things you cannot control such as what other people may think of you is unhealthy. It won’t help you better yourself or your situation. In fact, you will just waste time and energy. All you can do is control your attitude, what type of teammate you are, your work ethic, how you treat others, etc. At the end of the day, you need to be proud of yourself and focus on the things that give you satisfaction and that make you happy. In college athletics, fighting for a starting position is hard because you are competing against extremely talented players. You cannot control the coaches’ decisions, but you can prove them you deserve to be a starter by working hard everyday at practice and working on your craft with a purpose. In other words, take charge of your own fate.

My college years were some of my best years, but they were also the most challenging ones. How well you learn from your mistakes and adapt to this unique lifestyle will make you, or it will break you. I thrived during my time in Memphis. Being on time (ALWAYS), being the hardest worker both on and off the field, and controlling only what I could control made me a successful student-athletes.

Blog 1

My Journey to a Professional Career

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College soccer is demanding and it is truly a four years commitment. Conditioning, lifting, and practices never stop. When I finished my college career in November 2018, I felt like I needed a short break. I played for the University of Memphis and competed in the American Athletic Conference. We finished in the NCAA women’s soccer top 25 twice (2016 and 2018) and won the AAC Tournament my senior year (2018).

I took a whole month off after my last season. I was still going to the gym to do some cardio and lift weights, but I did not put my cleats on. I wanted to miss the game. I don’t think it was a negative thing; I just needed to take some time to rest my body and my mind after four intensive years.

I never thought I was good enough to sign a professional contract. I am not the type of player who stands out; I just do my job on the field. Deep down I did not want my soccer career to be over, but I was not sure if it would be possible.

I began my last college semester in January 2019. As a double major in communication studies and journalism, I knew it would be a demanding semester, but I thought I would be able to manage morning practices, classes and extra trainings altogether. The reality was I was not able to. In order to finish college on a high note, I decided to focus on school during the month on February.

I loved what I was doing in class and I had made up my mind about my future: after graduation I would go on and get a job. My plans had changed and I was excited about it. I did not have the time or the resources to put a highlights video together or pay for an agent. My twin sister, Marie, left Memphis to begin her professional career in Finland on March 15 and a month later her team Oulu Nice Soccer reached out to me and offered my a contract too. My plans had changed again! It felt so surreal and I knew I could not pass on this opportunity. I felt hungrier than ever and decided to play the game I love after graduation.

I have been in Finland for two weeks now and I am living my dream to the fullest. My blog posts will focus on lessons I have learned during my soccer career and I hope it will help others in their athletic journey.

MUCH MORE TO COME!

PS: Next blog about lessons I learned in College.

The Tigers wrap up a record-breaking season

By Catherine Levasseur

April 18, 2018

The women’s golf team made history last week as the Tigers finished third overall at the 2019 American Athletic Conference Championship; their best performance since joining the AAC in 2013.

The selection show for the NCAA Regionals will take place on April 24, and coach Beth Harrelson said senior Michaela Fletcher is expected to represent the university.

The team not only made history at the AAC Championship, but also set new school records on par 3, par 4 and par 5 scorings. Fletcher also set a program record by scoring an average of 71.93 per round of golf.

American Athletic Conference

Memphis travelled to Palm Coast, Florida, on April 13 to compete in the AAC Championship. With the disappointing tournament in Houston hurting their chances to reach post-season as a team, there was a lot on the line for the Tigers.

“To go to post-season, the team needs to win Conference, there is no doubt about that,” Harrelson said before leaving for Florida. “But the girls are very capable of that.”

After a difficult first round Sunday, the Tigers were ranked ninth overall. Ana Dawson and Fletcher both finished tied for No.8 with a score of 73.

Freshman Ana Dawson swings her iron 7 during practice time. Dawson finished 10th at the American Athletic Conference tournament and claimed her second top 10 finish this season.

On the second day, Memphis carded a round of 292, 12 strokes fewer than the day before. The Tigers jumped five spots in the overall ranking.

“The wind blew hard and that’s what helped us move up in the leader board so much” Harrelson said. “We played hard and determined, but yet pretty calm golf.”

Memphis began the final round in Palm Coast seeded No.4. Fletcher led the Tigers with a three-rounds score of 216, placing her tied for No.6.

Dawson finished three strokes over Fletcher. Three rounds of 73 helped her earn her second top 10 finish of the season. Seniors Sydney Colwill and Madison Thomas both tied for 23th, and Freshman Victoria Gallegos finished 45th.

Icon Invitational

The spring season started slow with a below average performance at the first tournament of the year. The Tigers finished last in Houston with a score of 56 over par.

“You can’t finish last in a tournament,” coach Beth Harrelson said. “That hurt us.”

Fletcher led the Tigers with a three-round score of 224, good for 30th place.

Harrelson said this first tournament made their run to the NCAA Regional difficult, but she was excited to see how the team would react.

Fortunately, the Tigers had a short turn around period and had the opportunity to redeem themselves only five days later in North Carolina.

River Landing Classic

At the second tournament, the weather also came to play. After the second round was not completed due to darkness on Monday, Tuesday’s final round was snowed out. After a strong first round, the Tigers managed to finish tied for No.2.

“The weather has been difficult this semester,” Harrelson said. “It’s so important to play the best possible golf every round.”

All three seniors, Thomas, Colwill and Fletcher finished in the top 20. Colwill’s first round of 72 put her tied for No.4. She earned the sixth top 5 finish of her collegiate career.

“The weather made the game difficult,” Colwill said. “I had a solid first round.”

From that tournament on, Gallegos, Dawson, Thomas, Colwill and Fletcher became the designated players and competed in all remaining tournaments.

Valspar Augusta Invitational

In Augusta, Georgia, the Tigers finished fifth with a cumulative score of 298. Colwill once again led the team and shot 219 to tie for 14th.

Two other Tigers finished in the top 20 at the event. Fletcher finished tied for 14th and Dawson tied for 19th.

Memphis then had two weeks to prepare for their home tournament at Ridgeway Country Club on April 1 and 2.

“We are really excited to come home,” Harrelson said coming back from Augusta. “Sometimes competing in your home tournament can bring an extra pressure, but I think the girls are ready.”

Memphis Women’s Intercollegiate

On senior day, Micheala Fletcher battled down the stretch to win her second collegiate title. Fletcher carded a career-low of 66, and a three-round score of 205.

Senior Micheala Fletcher walks up to her ball during practice. She led the Tiger in Florida and finished tied for sixth at the conference tournament.

“It’s definitely a bitter-sweet moment for me,” Fletcher said after the tournament. “But obviously, to finish it up with a win, I am very excited about it.”

Seniors Colwill and Thomas both posted a top 15 finish at their last home tournament. Colwill shot 216 to finish No.9, while Thomas carded a final round of 72 to tie for No.11.

Harrelson was proud of the way her team competed in Memphis.

“I think they played great golf, there are just two other teams that played better than us,” Harrelson said.

Social Media Content

Blog Post

This morning I woke up and did not feel like working out. I had set an alarm for 7 a.m. I had thought of everything: my alarm would go off at 7 a.m., I would get out of bed right away, put on my favorite Lululemon outfit, grab a banana on the go and walk to the Recreational Center to workout.

I had even planned out the session I wanted to do. I would begin with 30 minutes on the treadmill. You know, just at a good pace to get my heartbeat going. Then, I would hit a circuit: 30 squats, 20 lunges, 10 push ups, 50 crunches, 30 mountain climbers, 10 squats jumps, 45 seconds of plank, and repeat this 6 times through.

 The reality is… I could not get out of bed.

 Deep inside me, there is this need to workout and sweat. I have been active for so long that, my body needs to work out, otherwise my conscience is not at peace. If I do not go for a run, do a yoga practice, or hit the gym, there is this feeling of guilt that grows inside me.

 If you read this, you probably know what I am talking about. We all go through that.

 In a way, it is amazing that I have conditioned my body that way: I need to move if I want to stay sane. BUT sometimes, our body knows best. I’ve been pushing myself a lot the past couple of days. I think the hardship I faced this morning was my body crying for rest.

Listening to your body is hard. But this morning I did. Instead of walking to the gym, I stayed in bed a little longer. Instead of grabbing a banana on the go, I sat down and drink coffee while reading the newspaper. I still put on my favorite Lululemon outfit, but only for a 45 minutes walk instead.

 When I got back from the walk, my body felt energized. I felt awaken. I was at peace in a healthy body and a healthy mind. Sometimes, we need to give ourselves a break. This morning’s walk cleared my head. The fresh air filled my lungs and I was ready to cease the day.

I chose this topic specifically because it is often hard to talk about it. The fitness community is all about going hard all the time. Influencers show only the highs: the tough workouts and the impressive results. However, they do not show the lows: when your body needs rest and your conscience feels guilty. I thought that talking about the struggle in a blog post could help other women better manage their workout schedule and listen more to their body. The blog post makes the message very personal, and this format seemed the most appropriate for my message.

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Instagram Stories

A lot of influencers use them to promote partnership with brands, report their daily activities are to share tips. I have decided to share my top 5 secrets on how to live a healthy lifestyle. A lot of people think you need to workout hard everyday and go on crazy diets to lose weight or get in shape. However, the small details are what make the difference. Instagram stories are easy to access and people are able to screenshot them if they want to keep them. It is an easy and effective way to share content with your followers.

5 Tips on living a healthy lifestyle

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Snapchat Filters

I created this filter in Photoshop with the idea that women could share their workouts on social media. Women could capture and share some bits of their workout with their friends and followers. By using this filter, they are showing that they work hard with a purpose. I will use the question “do you even workout?” as a slogan for my content creation project. This question puts focus on what working out really is: it is not just walking into the gym; it is to have set goals and work to achieve them. This unique filter will help bring women with similar interests together.

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Memes

I created this meme with the meme generator Imgflip.com. As an athlete, when I go to the gym, it is to workout. Just to workout. I am very serious about it and I don’t want any distraction. Therefore, I created this meme to highlight how hard it is for women athletes to go to the gym without being stopped by a man who wants to talk to us. I chose this example because it happened to me before and because I have friends that have mentioned this too. When fit women workout hard, men usually notice them and see an opportunity to flirt. All women athletes have probably experience this and I thought it would be a relatable meme to share with my audience. I thought this meme was a fair reflection of what it is like in the gym. The media rarely shows this side of the story.

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GIF

GIF-original from Catherine Levasseur on Vimeo.