“I’m Eric LeBlanc. I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I’m 56 years old, and I genuinely enjoy getting the 20% seniors discount at my local Shoppers Drug Mart on Thursdays.”

Not what you were expecting?

If I were introducing myself in a support group for Generation X Gay Men looking to improve themselves physically and mentally, that’s probably how I’d start. I’d use humour to soften the vulnerability I was feeling.

What I really want to share is this: I’m a gay man of a certain age who has spent nearly 40 years chasing the perfect body. Vanity and validation—and I say this with absolutely no pride—have been the driving forces behind much of my fitness journey.

I didn’t become consistent in the gym until I was 28. There had been plenty of false starts before then, but this time it stuck. The gym became my playground. Eventually, I hired a personal trainer who taught me proper technique, challenged me, and kept me accountable. As my physique began to change, I became completely immersed in gym culture, which, in hindsight, was both a blessing and a curse.

I trained with that coach for seven years before making one of the biggest decisions of my life: leaving a 15-year career in banking to become a personal trainer myself. I’ve never regretted that decision.

Helping others improve their bodies and overall health has been incredibly rewarding. But at the same time, my own pursuit of the “perfect” physique became exhausting. What I’ve learned over the years is that results are influenced by more than hard work. Genetics, physical aptitude, consistency, discipline, and mindset all play a role.

The truth is, I never achieved the body I imagined for myself. Looking back, I understand why. I thought I was committed, but there were levels of commitment I simply wasn’t willing to reach. I was invested, but I wasn’t truly 100% all in. Oddly enough, I’m at peace with that now.

So where am I today?

I still want to look good in a Speedo. That hasn’t changed. But after 50, my definition of fitness has evolved. I care less about adding size and more about building strength that lasts. I want better flexibility, better stability, and the ability to move well for decades to come. I still want to be muscular—but I also want to be capable.

And I’ve come to believe there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a little vanity. Wanting to look your best isn’t shallow. It can be a powerful motivator. The key is making sure it isn’t the only thing driving you.

Today, I want my fitness level to reflect more than my appearance. I want it to reflect a part of me not unlike kindness, compassion, resilience and emotional growth, plus the understanding that taking care of your body should enhance your life—not consume it. That’s the journey I’m on now.

And if you’re a Generation X Gay Man who feels like your best years are behind you, I’d love for you to join me.

I have a feeling they’re not behind us at all.

The reason I created Primetime Eric comes down to one simple word: Belonging.

There is no shortage of fitness information for men over 50. Search the internet, browse a fitness magazine, or scroll through social media, and you’ll find countless articles, videos, and coaches offering advice on getting stronger, leaner, and healthier.

That’s a good thing.

But much of that content is presented from a heteronormative perspective. While the fitness advice itself is often excellent, it doesn’t always acknowledge the unique experiences that many Generation X Gay Men carry with them.

Many of us grew up with locker room anxiety, struggled with feeling different, or wrestled with body image in ways that shaped our relationship with fitness long before we ever stepped into a gym. Later came the pressures within the gay community itself—where appearance can sometimes feel like currency—and the ongoing conversations around men’s health, aging, confidence, and self-worth.

Those experiences matter. They influence why we exercise, how we see ourselves, and sometimes why we stop believing that our best years are ahead of us.

Primetime Eric isn’t about excluding anyone. Everyone is welcome here. It simply recognizes that Generation X Gay Men have lived a unique story, and sometimes it’s easier to learn, grow, and ask vulnerable questions when you’re in the company of people who understand that story without needing it explained.

My goal isn’t just to help you build muscle or lose weight. It’s to create a place where you feel seen, understood, encouraged, and supported—a community where Belonging comes first and fitness becomes the vehicle for living a stronger, healthier, and more confident second half of life.

I’m convinced this platform is needed because I needed it too.

Eric

• 2021Stress Resiliency CertificateCanFitPro continuing education
• 2021Online Fitness ProfessionalCanFitPro continuing education
• 2018Eat Clean For WellnessCanFitPro continuing education
• 2017Eat Clean FoundationsCanFitPro continuing education
• 2016Active Aging CertificateCanFitPro continuing education
• 2007Fitness Instructor SpecialistCanFitPro certification
• 2006GRAVITY Personal TrainerEFI Sports Medicine
• 2006GRAVITY Pilates InstructorEFI Sports Medicine
• 2005Personal Trainer SpecialistCanFitPro certification