Rising fitness star Endla Vaher – an athletic career and passionate dedication

Hi Endla, please tell us about yourself and which sports you do

I’m Endla Vaher, 21 years old, and I currently do two sports – javelin throw and fitness. I came to the javelin thanks to my sister Lembi, who does athletics. I’ve been throwing for about a year and my goals are set. I hope to throw 40m this summer. I only started fitness in January 2013. Ott Kiivikas and I met at an event where we were both performing. He gave me his business card and promised to make me a world champion. That got me thinking, of course – who wouldn’t want to become a world champion? Even back when I did group gymnastics, I definitely wanted to win that title. Unfortunately, my ceiling was a bronze at the 2011 World Championships as a member of VK Piruett and VK Janika, which I’m also very happy about. At the same time, I was very skeptical about fitness and didn’t feel it was for me. Even so, I talked it over with my best friends and my sister about what to do with Ott’s offer, and a month later I got in touch with him.

How long have you been doing fitness?

I’ve now been doing fitness for 4 months, and it’s been interesting. At the European Championships I won gold in the junior class and silver in the women’s category. I’m very happy with the result, because I prepared for it for only 3 months and it was only my third fitness competition. Those two medals plus the World Championships bronze in group gymnastics are my biggest achievements.

Please state the goal of your athletic career

My goal in fitness is obviously to become world champion.

Who is your coach?

In fitness my coaches are the Kiivikases (Ott Kiivikas and Natalia Nazarenko Kiivikas – ed.), and Heiko Väät teaches me javelin technique.

Was it hard for you to get into competition shape? And how are things with food in general?

I’ve always had an athletic build, and already at 10 years old I had abdominal muscles, unlike my peers. I like to train and I don’t give up. You can find motivation anywhere if you want to. My body is in shape all the time anyway, but in fitness it’s very important to get as lean as possible. Changing my nutrition has been the biggest job for me. I’ve never been on a diet in my life and I’ve always eaten a lot – everything. The hardest part is eating less and giving up the good stuff. The time before a title competition is especially tense, and that’s when things get tough.

I don’t take many supplements, only a recovery drink after a workout. Otherwise I eat a lot of chicken, fish, eggs, vegetables, etc.

What is your worst habit?

My worst habit – maybe overeating, chocolate?

Which part of your body are you happiest with?

The ideal shape is a relative concept, but right now I embody it for myself. I can’t really single out a best body part. Maybe I should say abdominal muscles, but actually many people have complimented my legs. The ones giving those compliments aren’t fitness people, though.

What would you recommend to a young beginner athlete?

I can’t really recommend anything to young beginner athletes, since I’m a young beginner in fitness myself. Maybe just this much: it’s important to do your own thing and feel good.

What do you say to the fans who have supported you so strongly so far?

Where I’ve got to is unbelievable. I’ve worked hard myself, but without good coaches I’d be nowhere. I have to thank my father, who gave me the circus bug and got me into gymnastics. A big thank you to the gymnastics coaches, led by Mall Kalve, thanks to whom I can put together good floor routines for myself, to my fitness coaches Natalia and Ott Kiivikas, and to my javelin coach Heiko Väät. I also thank all my supporters, but the biggest thanks go to my biggest fans – Lembi, Paula and Ann.

Author:Turg.Fitness.ee

Come and train! ArtGym