Get to know Jonathan Scott - 500km Runner for Mental Health

Get to know the ATP Lab supplement brand and the athletes who represent our lifestyle through our new exclusive interviews.

ABOUT THE ATHLETE

My name is Jonathan Scott-Davignon. I'm 26 years old. I have been training to be fit for 5 years now. I am currently training to run 500km in 10 days while raising funds for mental health awareness.

Question 1

WHAT IS THE ONE WORD THAT DESCRIBES YOU BEST?

Jonathan: Perseverance.

Question 2

WHAT ARE YOUR TOP-3 FAVORITE ATP LAB SUPPLEMENT PRODUCTS?

Jonathan: New Zealand Whey, Pentacarb, IBCAA raspberry

Question 3

When did you start taking your training seriously?

Jonathan: I started training for my project in August 2018, but I’ve been training at a gym for 5 years.
Question 4

If you could choose another career or sport what would it be?

Jonathan: I have always loved speed, so I’d say race track driver or fighter pilot!

Question 5

WHAT OR WHO MADE YOU WANT TO PURSUE AN ACTIVE AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE?

Jonathan: It started with the end of my music band. I had bad habits, bad food habits, and I was drinking too much. I started playing Dek Hockey and fitness took over my life. I was not very good at first, but I really became passionate for the sport! So I wanted to get better and I started getting in shape and taking care of my body.
Question 6

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT FLAVOURS, WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER?

Vanilla, Chocolate, Raspberry or Salted Caramel?

Jonathan: I am a big fan of New Zealand Whey with a spoon of peanut butter!

Question 7

WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE USE OF ILLEGAL OR UNCONTROLLED DRUGS IN CERTAIN SPORTS SUCH AS THE FITNESS WORLD?

Jonathan: Athletes take a lot of health risks with that kind of stuff. Not only is health involved, but the sport or discipline suffers. I take Lance Armstrong as an example, it is so sad to see an athlete who inspired a whole generation with his great feat and learn later that he was not clean. His reputation was quickly lost.
Question 8

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Jonathan: Although I learn quickly, I sometimes try to move too fast and the lack of experience catches up on me.

Question 9

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SPORTS HERO?

Jonathan: Steve Yzerman, an incredible leader.

Question 10

What is your training program as you prepare for 2019?

Jonathan: Before, I had my training focused on strength and gaining muscle mass! Now, all that muscle mass makes me loose energy faster when running! I do a lot of stationary bike (100-120km per week), swimming, HUGE lunges. Quietly, I will reduce the biking and replace it by running.

Question 11

What is your favorite song to listen to while training?

Jonathan: I like the rapper named NF, but lately, I especially listen to motivational speeches. It puts emotions back into place when you think about giving up.

Question 12

IF YOU HAD SUPERPOWERS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE AND WHAT WOULD BE YOUR SUPERHERO NAME?

Jonathan: Endless endurance... my name would be ATLAS.

Question 13

WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE OR FAVORITE CHEAT MEAL?

Jonathan: A big plate of “paté chinois”, homemade lasagna or classic poutine with ground beef!

Question 14

What are your personal health goals for this year?

Jonathan: I especially hope to adapt to the program, stay healthy, stay in shape but most of all keep my mind on the target!

Question 15

What made you decide to raise money for mental health?

Jonathan: About 6 or 7 years ago, I went through many events that affected me negatively (work, bad relations, separation, death) and got me into a vicious circle. I started drinking, I hanged with people who did not help me get better. It took several years and a lot of courage to ask for help. It was a very long and difficult process. My inner voices are still there, but I learned how to tame them.

I was introduced by my employer to the Bell Let's Talk program and I was amazed by how many Canadians suffer from mental illnesses like depression, anxiety or Alzheimer.

If I do my part to help the community, maybe the next person will not wait as long as I did to ask for help because of the fear of being judged.

Question 16

Although most mental illnesses are unavoidable, what do you think about the relationship and effects of physical activity on mental health?

Jonathan: Personally, working out was my way of silencing my negative thoughts. I focus so hard on the path in front of me when I run, the load lifted or the next pedal stroke, that I do not hear myself thinking anymore. It evacuates stress and I sleep a lot better during my training days!

Question 17

What is your funding goal and how can people contribute to your cause?

Jonathan: I'm confident that I can reach 10,000 $ in donations, but with good media support, I'm sure I can go much higher!

Question 18

Why did you precisely choose to run 500 km and where will this trip take you?

Jonathan: My trip will begin in Québec city (where I live). I will then go to Trois-Rivières, Montréal, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Knowlton, Sherbrooke and finish in Granby. I intend to swim across the Memphremagog lake during the trip too! The 500km is not so symbolic, but it had to be high enough to seem impossible for people when I present my project.

Victims of mental illnesses sometimes think it's impossible to get better... By giving me an impossible challenge to achieve like this one, I hope to inspire and motivate these people to go get help!

In the best of all possible worlds, I would like to take advantage of these large urban cities to talk about mental health issues and give motivational speeches. But I already have a lot of work to do!

Question 19

WHY ATP LAB?

Jonathan: I tried a lot of supplements (cheap ones and even miraculous ones promoted online), but when I started to train at my gym back in Granby (Québec), they sold only ATP Lab’s. I was told about the company’s philosophy and it was really focused on the health of the human body versus artificial growth substances. Therefore, I only took ATP Lab’s supplements for the last 5 years.

This is the first and only supplementation company I asked for support for #My500. I wanted a Canadian company with quality products and quality people! Without the ATP team, this challenge would not be possible!