First Person
The Universal Language of Fitness
Mickael Lafarge , former trainer to the First Lady of Senegal
Born in Cameroon and raised for 18 yearsbya missionary priest , Mickael Lafarge made an extraordinary voyage to the top ofthe fitnesstraining world in Dakar , Senegal , before hewas 30 , even drawing the Senegalese First Lady as aclient . He arrived in Montclair ayear ago , speaking only French and knowing noone except his wife , a foreign correspondent for The New York Times . Building a new and enthusiastic clientele for his “ Smash Cardio ” classes at area gyms , he says that “ Fitness is the same partout .” His wife assisted him with translation for this interview .
Building aFollowing
The priest who took me in as ababypassedawaywhen Iwas 18 . Ihit the road by bus , traveling for a couple of years through Nigeria , Burkina Faso , and then Senegal , where I decided to stay . I like sports more than anything else , and I threw myself into being a personal trainer . In 2009 , I won the licensing rights to the Curves franchise . We started in a garage and grew to more than 1,000 members . My wife walked into my gym , and within a month , we were together .
An American Couple
I am a permanent resident as of 2015 . My wife was born in Romania , but grew up in America .
Losing Their Way To Success
In Africa , there is an issue with obesity , especially for women . When Iopenedthe gym , my first ideawas to help women lose weight . We used to say “ No mirrors , no makeup , no men .” I created a database with a personal plan for each woman , for cardio and nutrition . They followed the plans and they started to wow each other , and bring their friends to the gym . This is howthe First Lady came , with afriend .
High and Low Profiles
I did a daily exercise segment on Senegalese TV , and had a former Olympic skier , Amanda Fortier , as a client . But most of my clients had never been to a gym before . I see people now with diabetes , arthritis , high blood pressure . Iam most proud when ordinary people getamazing results – building strength , increasing muscle and decreasing weight , fat and inches .
Settling In
At first , Iwas alittle scared . Iwould try to sleep and machines [ leaf blowers ] would wake me up with “ woo-woo-woo .” Now , it is better . I havesome friends and my work and routines . I amhappy . ■
— AS TOLD TO ANTOINETTE MARTIN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DALE MINCEY
18 SPRING 2017 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE