Committed energy in support of youth development
Since fall 2021, Marilou has been part of the O-Volt Sherbrooke scene. She moved to the city to begin her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at the Université de Sherbrooke, and found at O-Volt far more than a simple student job: a place to experiment, a human laboratory, and a space aligned with her vision of movement and youth development.
In this interview from the Tête d’Affiche series, we meet a dedicated, organized, adventurous professional—deeply convinced that fun is the key to a sustainable active lifestyle.
Artistic, adventurous, involved: the portrait of a different kind of coach
When asked to describe herself in three words, her answer comes without hesitation: artistic, adventurous, involved.
Artistic, because she completed a DEC in visual arts while also being in Sport-Études for dance. Her creativity shows in the way she structures her classes. Nothing is left to chance, yet everything feels natural, fluid, and fun.
Adventurous, because climbing, backcountry skiing, surfing, long self-supported hikes, and solo travel are part of her everyday life.
That thirst for exploration goes beyond the personal: she also enjoys coaching in disciplines she hasn’t necessarily practiced before, like trampoline or the Ninja course.
Involved, above all. “When I commit to something, I go all in,” she says. That trait largely explains her growth within O-Volt.
From student job to professional calling
A strategic start… even before moving in
Marilou found her job at O-Volt during the summer of 2021, before she even unpacked in Sherbrooke.
Her initial plan? To stay for the duration of her university studies. Those studies are now finished… and she’s still here.
What drew her in at the time was the alignment. She was looking for environments that share a passion for healthy physical activity.
Looking back, she sees that those choices were perfectly aligned with her career goals.
Kinesiology and motor development: real-world application on the floor
Now a certified kinesiologist, she’s been able to apply what she learned at university directly in her classes at O-Volt.
Her approach with little ones is especially revealing of her expertise.
Behind the games and fun courses are clear objectives:
- Locomotor development
- Balance work
- Building body awareness
- Developing laterality
- Stimulating fine motor skills
Everything is “disguised as games,” because for her, if a child doesn’t associate movement with fun, they won’t adopt an active lifestyle long term.
Planning: the invisible pillar of a successful class
Marilou describes herself as someone who plans ahead. Maybe even a little too much, she admits with a laugh.
But in a fast-paced environment like a trampoline and Ninja course center, that preparation is essential. She arrives each morning around 7:00 AM—sometimes 6:30 AM—to set up equipment and adapt the installations for the youngest kids. This behind-the-scenes work makes all the difference.
She also highlights a major evolution at O-Volt over the years: implementing a system to track training plans to ensure consistent quality across all centers.
Official recognition of planning time is, in her view, an important step toward further professionalizing the coach’s role.
A day at O-Volt: intense and rewarding
If she had to sum up a typical day in three words? Intense, rewarding.
The most demanding moments are often when she has to run a class during peak hours. Lots of kids, parents, surprises… Impossible to control everything on her own. Teamwork becomes essential.
But what makes her smile the most? The poorly pronounced but completely sincere “Thank you, Ma-ri-lou” at the end of class. The spontaneous hugs. The proud looks. Those are the moments that confirm her career choice.
O-Volt through a kinesiologist’s eyes: a movement lab
For Marilou, O-Volt is an exceptional environment for families: a place where kids and adults alike can burn off energy in a supervised, safe setting.
She’s noticed something interesting: parents quickly become kids again when they see their children having fun. The fun becomes collective. Intergenerational.
Her professional perspective adds another layer. In her own journey as an athlete, she observed a lack of appropriate resources that sometimes led to injuries. That’s one reason she wants to be part of the solution: optimizing performance while preventing injuries in growing youth.
Breaking the myths: behind the O-Volt shirt
A persistent myth? That employees are “just students.” Marilou points out that behind young faces there are sometimes trained professionals: kinesiologists, special education educators, and other experts.
Even when they’re not yet certified professionals, you’ll find committed, resourceful, serious people. The level of involvement goes far beyond what you might imagine.
Outside the center: always on the move
If you don’t run into her at O-Volt, you might see her:
- On a climbing wall
- On a ski slope
- On a wave at sea
- On a mountain trail
- Or even biking across Canada
Her ideal day? 25 cm of fresh snow, a coffee in hand, heading for the powder lines until sunset.
Or a multi-pitch climbing day in the fall—blue skies, perfect temperature. Movement isn’t an obligation for her. It’s an identity.
And tomorrow? Ideas to go further
If she could add something at O-Volt Sherbrooke, she would suggest:
- Adult fitness-style classes
- Prenatal and postnatal classes (in an adapted setting)
Her vision is clear: expand the center’s positive impact to every stage of life.
“O-Volt, to me, is…”
She completes the sentence like this:
“A place to grow, move, and have fun. A place that creates a lasting desire to move throughout a child’s development.”
At its core, Marilou perfectly embodies that mission. Between the scientific rigor of kinesiology and the spontaneity of a playful environment, she builds a bridge each week between fun and long-term health. And that may be the true O-Volt signature.