Cynthia Gauthier: Living in the Fast Lane

Video by Torin Simpson.

Cynthia Gauthier grew up surrounded by the smells and sounds of revving engines. Her father’s job as a mechanic and his love of racing meant cars and bikes were never far away.

Gauthier bought her first bike at 18 and achieved a long-held dream when she joined the Pro Women’s Motocross Canadian Series a few years later.

But then a series of surgeries sidelined the athlete. After Gauthier underwent knee and shoulder replacement, doctors told her she would never be the same again. At 25, she decided to retire.

Gauthier approached this big life change with the strength and optimism she’s become known for. She made a decision: “I want to keep pushing, and I want to do other stuff, so let’s just turn the page and do a new adventure.”

She started training for off-road racing, where she was less likely to get injured, and started strengthening her body with CrossFit.

“I actually have no pain now,” she explains.

She notes that her doctors are surprised by how well she has recovered.

“I think it’s because of CrossFit,” she adds.

Now a professional Monster Jam competitor, Gauthier travels the world and drives Monster Mutt Dalmatian, feeding her need for adrenaline and signing autographs for the young boys and girls she inspires along the way.

She stops at CrossFit affiliates everywhere she goes and is struck by how the coaches never let language be a barrier.

“Every CrossFit I go (to), I make friends. I feel like it’s just a big international family.”

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