TEM (The Extra Mile): What inspired you to join Amazing Race Canada, and whose idea was it initially?
Louis: It was pretty much my mom trying to convince me. It was something that we say yes. We’re a yes family.We always say yes to new adventures, new challenges. And Amazing Race, for me, it was always scary because I’m not a stress guy in life.I don’t like to race to do anything.My mom is where I get my competitiveness. And it took a few dinners, a few conversations before I realized thatAmazing Race is just a good excuse to get to spend some quality timeand live once-in-a-lifetime experiences with the woman I love and the one that’s given me so much.And as soon as I understood that, it was done.And we got ourselves on Amazing Race Canada and we lived a hell of an experience.
TEM:Marie, is this something you’ve always wanted to do?
Marie: Yes. I’ve been watching The American for years.They watched it a few times with me, too. And then Canada started, so I kind of got into that, too.And I was just waiting for the perfect partner and the great timing.And he grew older and I said, Lou, you and me, we’ve got to do this. So yeah, it was a dream, a longtime dream of mine to get on the show, yes.
TEM:Did you guys do anything in particular prior to the show to prepare for it?
Louis: Not really.I mean, you could have worked on the knees maybe a bit more. No, I mean, just to prepare, you just got to change a bit.We’re pretty active on a good day. We exercise, we work out.We had to change a bit our conditioning and how we were going to approach our workoutsand what would complement best the Amazing Race Canada.So we did change a bit nutrition, work out, learn new things, puzzles. Soduku, worked on our map reading. Fun things.
TEM: Would you guys say, was there like a moment in the race that really tested your relationshipand how did you guys work through it?
Marie: Yes.The driving.The self-driving. The minute that we would read the clue and it’s self-drive yourself to whatever,with no GPS, no phones, no maps.Nobody has maps anymore.So trying to figure it out, that was a big stress. Because you don’t know where you are.You’re kind of lost.And I think that was probably our most challenging times together was in the car. Lost.
Louis: Navigation.Yeah, for sure. That’s what we had.Maybe a bit more of our tense moments was navigation.We both have a voice and we both want to get heard. And, you know, it’s just backseat driving. It’s not my cup of tea.And she’s a terrible passenger. I’m not a great passenger.But, you know, the most important is how you learn from each experience. (4:04) And we had our emotional check-ins every night. And we grew tremendously from episode one to the last night’s episode.In terms of navigating.
TEM: The water aerobics challenge.I’m curious, Marie, like how difficult is it really?.
Marie: Yeah.It was challenging.I’m not into choreographies or dancing or anything. And I really thought that it would be something in the water.I didn’t expect to be out of the water doing an aerobics class.So, that was a little bit challenging. I don’t think I stayed that long on.I think I caught on pretty fast, no?
Louis: Yeah.You picked it up so quickly. And that’s what’s frustrating.It’s just because I saw how quickly she picked it. And efficient.I think it would have been different.It would have been different. Because it’s so hard.Because a lot of the judging comes from the excitement, the energy that you’re able to bring in.But it’s very hard to bring in that energy when you’re focused. And when the pain is constantly reminding you that you’re struggling. I’m not surprised how strong she was.And her pushing through is expected. But it was heartbreaking as a son to see your mom in pain.
TEM: So, what was your favorite challenge?And what would you say was your least favorite challenge?
Louis: Well, my favorite challenge, I mean, dog sledding in the Arctic. When do you get to do something like that?But it’s a tie with one of the most precious moments on the show, which was crossing the bridge with my mom.That was by far, I mean, that will stay with me for the rest of my days.Something a bit more challenging.
Marie: Probably the greenhouses.That was very frustrating, very hard physically. But even mentally, because everybody’s running, there’s a hundred greenhouses and they’re probably, I don’t know, two kilometers each.You know, it just seemed like they were so long.So, that was probably my least favorite one or most frustrating one, I’d say.
Louis: Just finding those empty boxes is heart-wrenching.You just get there, you see a box, you get excited, you go there.Nothing left.And you’re just at a snail’s pace because we’re walking it. And then you see all the other teams zooming by nonstop.So, you just do as much as you can.
TEM: What’s your advice for any future contestants, fans or people that want to try out for the show?
Marie: I would say just go with an open heart. Have fun.Don’t have too many expectations.Expect the unexpected physically, mentally, emotionally. It is very challenging, but so rewarding at the end.I mean, it doesn’t matter how far you make it in the race. It’s what you take of it. And, you know, just find the best partner for it and just say yes and figure it out as you go.
Louis: Yeah.An open mind. Just have fun.Have fun. It’s what makes it.
TEM: so we’re all about going the extra mile here.. How do you guys go the extra mile in your lives, whether that be, you know, in your career, personal life?
Marie: So, for me, pay it forward. Just, you know, be good, be kind, and kindness will come back at you. Just make decisions always with an open heart and, you know, encourage people.Be there for people.
Louis: And always offer more than your ass.You know, always go the extra mile, give a little extra.You know, go out of your way to compliment people is something that I do on my daily basis. If someone, so often we’re quick to criticize, but not often enough we can pay the compliments that we should.So, going out of your way, just encouragement over bringing down.
Catch the Amazing Race Canada on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app, and streams next day on Crave
