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Georges Laraque: What Gives Me Energy
by Laurie Wang
Though one of the most feared players in the NHL, off the ice Georges Laraque is one of the most pleasant guys to be around. Always joking and smiling, the 6’3” former Edmonton Oiler (he is now playing with the Pittsburgh Penguins) not only brings energy to his team, but also to the people he meets everyday. In a Men Today Online interview, “The Rock” talks about how to stay supercharged for life.
MenTodayOnline: You’re definitely a source of energy to your team and hockey fans during games. What do you think it is about you that brings energy to other people?
Georges Laraque: It’s the way I interact with the crowds. If you can get a reaction from the crowd, it carries momentum and brings energy to the players on the bench.
MTO: What about off the ice?
Georges Laraque: My friends definitely give me energy. When I go out with my friends and they’re also in a good mood, it provides a positive atmosphere. I like to joke around all the time and I’m always smiley, so when I’m with people who are in a good mood, it gives me energy because it makes me want to bring out the same energy.
I try to pick friends who are positive, ‘cause when you’re with people who are depressed or [mad] all the time, it can really bring you down. Life’s a blessing and everyday you wake up, you should be happy about it.
MTO: In the community, you’re known for your involvement with D.A.R.E visiting patients at the hospitals. Do you enjoy it?
Georges Laraque: Definitely. I enjoy doing community work. I’ll visit people in the hospital and they brighten up just because I visit. Frankly, I’m just a hockey player, but when I visit them, it makes them happy and for just a few moments, the pain goes away. The feeling I get when I do that is hard to describe, but I know I’m just lucky to be in this position.
MTO: What motivates you to get involved in the community?
Georges Laraque: Well, I believe in God and I try to study the Bible. I pray to God and thank him for who I am. I realize how lucky I am to be where I am today. It motivates me to do community work. I like to give what I can and get involved.
MTO: Does your family give you energy? Were they supportive of you in hockey?
Georges Laraque: My family actually didn’t support me in hockey. They didn’t like going to hockey games before because there was so much racism. My teammates would make racist comments but I didn’t want them to see me cry so I’d come home every night and cry by myself. My family would see and ask me, “Why are you playing hockey? See what’s going on?”
My whole team would call me names, but I said I wouldn’t quit, I gotta make it and prove everyone wrong. Actually, that was what gave me energy too. Though people called me names, as sad as I was, it gave me energy to succeed. People didn’t believe in me, but for me it was energy in a positive way.
MTO: Do you have any tips on how to stay energized each day?
Georges Laraque: Get enough sleep, eat breakfast and smile.
1. Get enough sleep.
Make sure you get enough sleep because if you don’t, you’ll be grumpy. I usually try to get eight hours, but if I can’t because I’m on the road, then I make sure I take a powernap for an hour in the afternoon.
2. Eat breakfast.
I usually eat raisin bran, bananas and oranges in the morning. I try another thing for breakfast too: smoked salmon. It’s got lots of protein in it and it’s called brain food. When you go to bed and your body shuts down for about 12 hours, the first thing you need to eat is something for your brain. I tried the salmon a couple of times and it feels really good actually. I feel more alert throughout the day.
3. Smile often.
When you’re in a bad mood, it drains people. People that drag their foot or [get mad] all the time can get you down. In the morning when you go to work and in the elevator you see someone who greets you saying “good morning!” with a smile, it makes you happy. So when you do that, it not only gives you energy but energizes others too.
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~Laurie Wang graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.A. in English and has a diploma in Journalism. She's a big fan of hockey, sleep and rare steak. Laurie takes pride in being able to count to infinity--twice.