Coming Into Her Own: Ericka Letendre

April 18, 2014

Kate Rose

“I think it’s important that I went my separate way because it helped me get my own athletic identity.”

“I think it’s important that I went my separate way because it helped me get my own athletic identity.”



Photos by Carlo Pagano

Ericka Letendre has been in her sister’s shadow for a long time.

Not anymore.

Since she started CrossFit, Letendre has trained with her identical twin sister, Michele Letendre—three-time CrossFit Games competitor.

In 2013, Letendre competed in her first Open, placing 43rd. She opted to compete at the Canada East Regional with her affiliate, CrossFit Plateau.

After regionals, she made some changes to prepare for 2014. While training with a perennial Games athlete is beneficial, Letendre decided it was time to break out on her own.  

“I decided to follow Karim El Hlimi’s program, which he personalized for me according to my weaknesses, both mental and physical,” Letendre said.

“Following the programming means I didn’t train much with Michele,” she said, “but when we have opportunities to throw down together, it’s very, very fun!”

While she said the shift to training alone was challenging, Letendre believes she made the right decision.

“I think it’s important that I went my separate way because it helped me get my own athletic identity,” she said. “Although we are twins and very similar in certain respects, our lives are not at all alike.”

In addition to her aspirations to compete, Letendre is a software quality assurance analyst at a bank in Montreal, Canada. Keeping balance can be tricky.

“I have a lot on my plate—juggling my career, training, social life and a new house. If CrossFit doesn’t stay somewhat recreational for me, all the effort I put in will have stayed in CrossFit rather than transfer to all the other aspects of my life,” she said. “My coach and Michele constantly remind me of this, and I also think this is an important element in my success.”

Her results in the 2014 Open suggest Letendre found the right balance. She finished 11th in Canada East and will compete at regionals as an individual.

She’s aiming for a top-15 finish. Her rate of improvement is obvious, even when it’s not so on the Leaderboard.

At the 2013 regional, Letendre did step-ups during the deadlift/box jump event. On 14.3, she jumped.  

“And they were fast, too!” Letendre said. 

She scored 145 reps and though it was her lowest score in the Open, Letendre took it as a success and proof her training was working.

“That small victory really had an impact,” Letendre said.

“The other workouts were all really fun and I just wanted to put in my best effort. The thruster/burpee descending ladder is a blur, but I’m proud that I did so well,” she said of her 9:38 time.

Letendre is definitely her own athlete, but she still shares at least two things with Michele: her appearance and her humility.

“I thought I would place in and around top 20, but 11th was a fantastic surprise,” she said. “This is not say I didn’t work hard to get there, but since this is my second Open, I didn’t have a clue where I stood.”

After regionals, Letendre will know exactly where she stands in Canada East, and fans are just as eager to find out.