11/26/2025
November is Prostate month!
Here is a message that all men should read.
Men’s Health Awareness for the Ironman Community
A Message from Claude Poirier
President of ALDG • Entrepreneur • Ironman Athlete
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To the Ironman Community:
Why Prostate Cancer Screening Matters More Than You Think.
Ironman athletes know what it means to push limits—physically, mentally, emotionally.
We endure distances most people never imagine. We fight through the pain. We master our breathing, our mindset, our discipline. We believe we’re ready for anything. Sometimes we even believe we’re invincible.
Claude Poirier — President of ALDG, long-time entrepreneur, and fully committed Ironman athlete — believed the same thing.
At 58, with zero symptoms, no discomfort, and top-tier physical conditioning, nothing hinted that a simple PSA blood test would reveal prostate cancer.
“I believed I was in peak shape. And yet, it was a routine test that revealed everything.”
His urologist quickly reassured him: the cancer was detected early, non-aggressive, and his prognosis is excellent. But Claude knows many men are not so fortunate — especially those who avoid screening.
Today, he is speaking up. Not only as a business leader, but as an Ironman who wants to protect his community.
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The Ironman Mindset: Endurance • Discipline • Prevention
Claude draws a direct link between Ironman discipline and men’s health:
“You can swim 4 km, cycle 180 km, and run a marathon. You can endure anything.
But nothing prepares you for hearing: ‘You have cancer.’
Real strength is prevention. Real victory is testing early.”
Many athletes believe their lifestyle protects them from cancer.
Claude is living proof: even the strongest athletes need screening.
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Early Detection Saves Lives
What Every Athlete Must Know.
Four simple steps can change everything:
1. PSA Test (Blood Test) A basic blood test. This is what alerted Claude’s team.
2. Physical Exam (Digital Re**al Exam) Quick, often taboo — but essential.
3. Multiparametric MRI Gives a detailed visual of suspicious areas.
4. Biopsy The only way to confirm cancer. In Claude’s case, the biopsy confirmed the cancer, despite having no symptoms at all.
“Without PSA, no MRI. Without MRI, no biopsy. Without biopsy… I would never have known.”
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The Power of Family: The Strongest Treatment
Claude highlights that the greatest support throughout this experience has been his family—especially his wife. They discussed everything: follow-ups, treatment options, and difficult scenarios. Always with honesty. Always as a team.
“My wife and I talked about everything. Just like preparing for an Ironman, we faced this challenge together.”
Her words touched him deeply:
“I’ve watched him push his limits in Ironman races.
I’ll watch him push his limits here too.
Whatever the treatment, whatever the road ahead, I will run with him.”
For Claude, family is grounding.
“Family is the first treatment. The most powerful one.”
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The Value of Community: Sharing • Listening • Supporting
Claude insists that speaking with men who lived the same experience is invaluable.
“Talking to men who have been through the same thing… it changes everything.”
Just like in Ironman—nothing meaningful is done alone.
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Claude’s Message to Every Ironman Athlete
Claude’s diagnosis didn’t weaken him. It transformed him. And now he wants to protect athletes who push their limits every day.
“We don’t start training for an Ironman the night before the race.
So don’t wait for symptoms to get tested.
A PSA test can save your life.”
Ironman athletes understand discipline, resilience, fear, and unexpected challenges.
But the most important race is the one we often ignore: the race for our own health.
Claude Poirier reminds us that true strength isn’t enduring everything — it’s preventing the worst.
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Take Action Today
Consult. Test. Protect Yourself.
A PSA test
A physical exam
An MRI
A biopsy (if needed)
These steps can save a life.
Yours.
A teammate’s.
A friend’s who thinks “perfect shape” is enough.
