My name is Stéphane Renaud, and for a long time, I thought I could handle everything.

I was dedicated to my work, committed to my family, and passionate about fitness. I worked in a demanding environment where productivity and speed were part of everyday life. At home, I was raising my two boys while navigating difficult family circumstances.

I kept moving forward. I trained at the gym, took care of my responsibilities, and did what needed to be done.

But somewhere along the way, I stopped taking care of myself.

I paid little attention to my emotions, rarely gave myself time to reflect, and didn't get enough sleep. I was so focused on keeping everything together that I didn't realize how much I was neglecting my own well-being.

Then, in the spring of 2023, everything changed.

I experienced depression and anxiety, and suddenly, the active life I had always known felt out of reach. Getting out of bed, eating properly, or simply finding the energy to move became difficult.

For someone who had always been used to pushing forward, it was a reality I never expected to face.

I had to learn something I had never truly understood before: you can spend so much time taking care of everything around you that you forget to take care of yourself.

Learning to Rebuild, One Step at a Time

My recovery did not happen overnight.

With the support of a social worker and a psychologist, I began working to understand myself, my emotions, and what had brought me to that point.

I also had to rebuild my physical health.

After months of being largely inactive, returning to exercise was not easy. My body had changed, and I couldn't simply pick up where I had left off. I wanted to feel better immediately, but I had to learn to slow down, listen to my body, and respect the process.

Little by little, I started moving again.

I learned that progress isn't always about pushing harder. Sometimes, it's about knowing when to rest, recognizing your limits, and having the patience to start again.

Today, at 43, I'm proud to have rebuilt my physical conditioning and returned to the activities I love, including strength training and trail running.

But the greatest change has been in how I understand health.

I no longer see well-being as simply being physically strong. I see it as a balance between the body, the mind, daily habits, and recovery.

And that realization changed everything.

Why I Created Bien Vivre en 4

During my recovery, I pursued personal training education, began reading more about health, and explored ways to improve my own habits.

I also started sharing what I was learning with friends.

I realized that many people are struggling to feel better. Some want to improve their nutrition. Others want to become more active, sleep better, or find ways to manage the pressures of everyday life.

Often, people know they want to change but don't know where to begin.

That's why I created Bien Vivre en 4.

BV4 was born from the belief that a better quality of life starts with understanding the different parts of our well-being and learning how they work together.

You don't need to change everything overnight. You don't need to be perfect. And you don't have to push yourself beyond your limits to make progress.

You simply need a place to start, the right guidance, and the willingness to take that first step.