Nathalie Lefebvre: Courtesan, Thai Massage Therapist, and Muse

 Nathalie Lefebvre: Courtesan, Thai Massage Therapist, and Muse
by Peter Berton

Beautiful. Witty. Sensual. Intelligent. Delectable. Mischievous. Sincere. Winsome. All these words and so many more describe the lovely Ottawa's Nathalie Lefebvre. Found online at lovely-nathalie.com (for once, an aptly-named web site), this sleek and sensuous 23 year-old Quebecois describes herself as someone who "genuinely cares for my lover's needs, desires, thoughts and feelings." And yes, Nathalie's definition of lover' extends to men, women and couples.

Add Nathalie Lefebvre's expertise in Thai massage -- she says it "lends itself well to intimacy
and eroticism in the context of a full service experience" -- her offer of duos with the equally
alluring Georgiana Sweet (www/sweet-company.com), and her commitment to the life of a
courtesan as outlined in Jacqueline Carey's Novel, "Kushiel's Dart", and this Ottawa beauty
seems like a dream come true!

In fact, having met Nathalie for a wonderful afternoon of wide-ranging conversation, this reporter can confirm that she is as real and genuine as she claims to be. In fact, the only apparent danger of spending time with Nathalie is risking falling in love with her. She has that much to offer, on so many levels.

Having had time to recover myself, it is a pleasure to present this brief conversation with a woman who so truly epitomizes the ideal of the word, ‘courtesan’.

SLC: Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Nathalie Lefebvre: I grew up with a single mother and our financial situation was never ideal.
My brother has various kinds of disabilities (learning and physical), and my mother had to pay
for a lot of his expenses as we were growing up.

I moved out when I was 16 and although my mother and I have a great relationship, I've been
self-sufficient since.

When I first considered escorting, I was a full-time student in Humanities and I was
accumulating a hefty amount of student debt. I was working as a bartender part-time but it was
hard to balance work with my grades and community volunteer work.

Through various activist endeavors with POWER (Prostitutes of Ottawa, Gatineau, Work,
Educate, Resist), I met Megan's Touch and Alexandra Sky, and discovered the world of CERB.

I began my career as an SP soon thereafter. It seemed like the best way to support my education,
while doing something I truly enjoy.

SLC: With your interest in yoga and massage, plus your degree in the humanities, you are far
from the typical service provider. What is it that you offer -- and why?

Nathalie: Good question, and definitely not an easy one.

I don't think I'm 'far from the typical service provider', to be honest. I know many brilliant,
intelligent, and beautiful women on CERB who are educated and take the odd yoga class here
and there.

By the way, I practice yoga everyday, but I don't always practice in a commodified yoga studio.
The practice of yoga is about being mindful of the breath, and I can do that right now if I pay
attention.

I offer my patrons a genuine intimate connection with someone who is interested in who they are
and what motivates them in life. I also offer Thai Massage and genuinely enjoy providing this
service.

Thai Massage is a way to become mindful of your body, and your breath, through various
movements similar to those you would find in a yoga class.

Is it your typical M.A. body sliding? Definitely not. Most of my patrons don't know what to
expect when they book a Thai Massage, but they leave supremely relaxed and happy regardless.
They trust me in those moments to have their back, and I do in a backbend!

SLC: Your website emphasizes your genuine interest in the needs of your clients. That said,
many escorts make the same claims, but mean it no mean than politicians mean the promises
they make to get elected. So what makes your claim credible?

Nathalie: I think my claim is credible if you read my recommendation thread on CERB! I've
simply taken the content of those recommendations to write my website. It is they who describe
me as real, genuine, and sincere.

As someone who self-identifies as polyamorous, I have the ability to genuinely feel affection for
more than one person. As someone who is introverted, I strive on one-on-one conversations. I
communicate openly and honestly, and expect the same courtesy in return...

There is no difference between Nathalie and who I am, no persona, no act. My personality is
very versatile and easy to get along with.

I'm just a nice person, and find it easy to connect with people.

SLC: On the flip side, is it not unreasonable to expect any SP to provide true intimacy to a
paying stranger?

Nathalie: I'm somewhat surprised by this question, to be honest. There are so many assumptions
being made about the industry in that one simple statement.

I definitely think it's 'reasonable' to receive 'true' intimacy from an S.P. I don't think it's fair to
expect it, though.

Also, how are you defining 'intimacy'? What is 'intimacy' and 'romance'? Regardless of the
finances involved, is it not possible to be intimate with a stranger?

I've had some brutally intense sexual encounters with strangers that have resulted in beautiful
relationships (even if only for the night). People cherish those moments and experiences for the
rest of their lives.

I definitely think it's possible to receive genuine intimacy, care, and love, from a service
provider. However, I don't think it's necessarily fair to expect it.

Just like there are people in my personal life I get along with more than others, the same can be
expected in this industry. When there is genuine chemistry between myself and a patron (and
usually there is), then I think it's normal to be intimate.

It's also important to take into consideration that some women have different boundaries with
regards to what they can and can't offer, insofar as intimacy and care is involved. Also, not all
patrons are interested in genuine intimacy and care. It's impossible to homogenize women and
men in the industry.

SLC: You took some time off from the business last year. Why so, and why did you come back?

Nathalie: I took approximately six months off in 2011-2012 to finish my undergraduate thesis. I
was a full-time research assistant and was neglecting my studies while I was paying off my
student debt. I decided to take some time off to give my full and undivided attention to my yoga
practice and thesis.

I kept in touch with a lot of people on CERB (patrons and SPs alike) and enjoyed hearing about
their adventures. It was really exciting to finally come back and reconnect with old and new
friends alike.

SLC: What makes this profession worthwhile to someone of your obvious intellectual and
spiritual qualities?

Nathalie: The current political economy makes this profession worthwhile, to be completely
honest! I graduated with a seemingly worthless undergraduate degree and no income. Also,
Ottawa is overflowing with certified yoga instructors!

I spent a significant amount of time looking for full-time work in the non-profit sector but with
the budget cuts and our current Conservative majority, it's very hard for someone socially justice
minded to find employment in a meaningful field.

Due to my inability to find full-time work, I've accepted a scholarship and position as a teacher's
assistant while pursuing my graduate degree in Humanities. There is no better time to get
overeducated than during a recession! I'll reevaluate after my degree.

That being said, I never intended to quit escorting. I've always been low-volume and it's never
been a full-time priority in my life. I love the joy, intimacy, and romance it brings into my life
and think my life, politics, and way of living in the world is conducive to a truly genuine
girlfriend experience.