The Cool AF Allergen-Free Vegan
Athlete | Author | Coach | Speaker
Hélène the Athlete
after a serious accident, Hélène turned her challenges into triumphs—rising to excel in cold water swimming, karate, and fitness while inspiring others to overcome their own obstacles and reclaim their dreams.
3rd Dan Black Belt in Karate
North American Karate Champion (2019)
Competitive Open-Water Swimmer
Gym Resistance Training 4–5×/wk
Still in recovery from a serious 2014 accident to achieve peak performance
Hélène had always been active—until a 2014 car accident and the ensuing post-concussion symptoms pulled her out of the life she loved for seven long years. Weekly migraines, chronic pain, and extreme fatigue (to name only a few) became her new, unwanted normal. As if that wasn’t enough, additional health challenges were thrown her way from 2021 and continuing today (as life does).
Today, even while still navigating her recovery, she’s performing better than ever in open-water swimming, at the dojo, and in the gym—activities she never imagined returning to just a few years ago. She takes a licking and keeps on ticking as the slogan goes…
Hélène now trains daily for annual challenges many would call extreme, proving firsthand what humans are capable of when we create the right conditions, strengthen our resilience mindset, and take ownership of our health and wellness.
If it worked for her, it can work for you too—yes, you can break free from physical pain, dare to dream, and defy expectations in healing, energy, and longevity.
Wado Kai Karate
1st dan black belt
1990
2nd dan black belt
2019
North american Kata Champion
2019
3rd dan black belt
2023
open-water swimming
Swimming Career Highlights
| Year | Event & Distance | Time | Placing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 1500m Canadian National Masters 25m indoor pool |
20:14.79 | 2nd / 19 Women | National Masters competition, Age 26 |
| 2024 | Memphremagog Winter Swim Festival 50m / 100m / 200m |
- | Participant | 0-1°C water, -4°C to -15°C air |
| 2022 | 1.5km SwimBowen Ocean swim |
26:50 | 11th Overall | 🥈 2nd without wetsuit |
| 2022 | 3km Kits Challenge Ocean swim |
47:26 | 13th Overall | 5th without wetsuit |
| 2023 | 1.5km SwimBowen* Ocean swim |
22:50 | 10th Overall | 🥉 3rd without wetsuit, Age 52 |
| 2023 | 3km Kits Challenge Ocean swim |
53:05 | 14th Overall | 🥉 3rd without wetsuit |
| 2023 | 4.5km Across the Lake Series Kalamalka Lake |
1:24:08 | 22nd Overall | 🏆 1st W50-59 |
| 2024 | 1.5km SwimBowen Ocean swim |
26:57 | 7th Overall | 🥈 2nd without wetsuit |
| 2025 | 5km Across the Lake Series Lake Osoyoos |
1:45:05 | 8th Overall 4th Woman |
🥈 2nd without wetsuit |
| 2025 | 10km Relay (7km swam) Around the Bay - VOWSA |
2:12:55 | Team Finish | 🌟 Only team not wearing wetsuit |
| 2025 | 10km Across the Lake Series Kalamalka Lake |
3:17:12 | 12th Overall 2nd W50-59 |
+14min from 1st overall |
REsistance Training
Consists of 4-5x / wk year-long gym sessions at her local community centre. Since being diagnosed with osteoporosis in 2023, she lifts regularly and heavier than she ever has to counter her condition. Stay tuned for an upcoming Coolest Journey program on bone health based on science and her own experience!
Hélène Caron
The Cool AF Allergen-Free Vegan
Athlete | Author | Coach | Speaker
QUICK LINKS
CUSTOMER CARE
LEGAL
FOLLOW US
Copyright 2025 © The Cool AF Vegan / The Coolest Journey - divisions of 8741719 Canada Inc