It can't be denied: Catriona Le May Doan has a full plate. Although retired from the speedskating world for seven years, many know her as a four-time Olympian who won three medals: one gold and one bronze at Nagano in 1998 and a second gold at Salt Lake City in 2002.
Le May Doan has the distinction of being the only Canadian ever to have successfully defended a gold medal at the Olympics and, to date, continues to hold the Olympic record in the 500-metre event at 37.30 seconds.
Others may know the Saskatoon-born Calgarian as a television host/broadcaster at subsequent Olympics who looks forward to hosting the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore this summer.
She will also work at the Summer Olympics in London in 2012.
People may know her as a recipient of the Order of Canada, or a visitor to our peacekeeping troops in Afghanistan.
She also sits on four sports boards, including those connected with the Calgary Olympic Development Association and the Canadian Sports Centre Calgary.
She is an honorary local chairwoman for the Run for the Cure, a national spokeswoman for the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada, and supports several Saskatchewan-based charities and endowments.
She also mentors young athletes and, for the last dozen years, has developed a successful motivational speaking business.
But busyness is not what she wants people to see in her. She is a mother, a neighbour and a friend; she loves to tend to her lilies in the garden, read and bake birthday cakes.
She is home with her children (Greta, 6, and Easton, 3) as well as her husband, steer wrestler Bart Doan, and Ernie, their goldendoodle dog, as often as she can be.
She also goes to the gym and juggles grocery shopping and laundry like everyone else.
But she does it in the public eye -- and although she is grateful for the benefits and opportunities of celebrity, she feels its scrutiny.
That has taken some time to adjust to and occasionally she remains guarded. But growth and the passage of time has meant a greater comfort in her own skin.
"Life is so exciting and I am enjoying it so much," she says. "And I really am the same person I have always been."
Le May Doan sat at her kitchen table in Dalhousie and discussed her favourite room:
Question: What is your favourite room?
Answer: It is my bathroom upstairs off the master bedroom.
Question: Why is it your favourite room?
Answer: It is my retreat. It is private, bright and airy and it has everything I need. I'll go in there with my book (I like biographies; I am fascinated with people and why they do things) and a glass of wine; I'll run a bath and light my candles. I do this a few times a week.
I am social and I love people, but I am a bit of an introvert -- and this is where I can satisfy this side of me. When my children are in bed, I will escape from everyone.
Question: What features do you specifically love about the room?
Answer: There is a stand-up shower, an extra-long tub and a huge walk-in closet (my nanny organizes it for me). There are raindrop windows beside the tub for some privacy.
There are two pieces of Greta's artwork on the walls; that is the kid part. Bart showers and shaves there; he has his own closet, sink and counter space, which has been built higher than mine because he is taller.
My makeup, shoes and jewelry are all at my fingertips. I can go from the gym to getting prepared for any event right there. It was always so disorganized before. There was not enough space and where was my hair dryer again? This is a well thought-out place.
I now have a hook for my robe and my hand towels are within reach. We were thinking of putting in stacking shelves in between the sinks, but decided against it and I am glad. They are not necessary and would've broken up the clean, neutral look.
Question: Did someone design the room?
Answer: Yes -- the Remodelers. Bart and I worked with them to get it just right.
Question: What did you really need in this room?
Answer: I wanted a quiet place where I could be on my own. The big difference is, once the kids are settled, no one is coming in here.
Question: Do you consider this your room?
Answer: Not really. My kids will say: 'Mommy, it is not just your bathroom.' They are constantly in and out. But I do get ready for the day there. I get ready for going out there. And there is that personal time later at night.
Question: If you had it to do over, would you change anything?
Answer: Sometimes I think about whether I like a rain shower. But you know really, I love everything. We've had three years of living in this room and still there isn't one thing I'd change.
If I did think of something, I would call Bruce (at The Remodelers). I know he would look after me.
I love the balanced colours, the design and the feel of the location. The moment I get up, I am in there and the moment before I go bed, I am in there. It is my start and end day room.
-- Postmedia News
