Laura Johanna Derkun is an athlete whose day revolves around more than training. This is her story of the gym, competitions, family, nutrition and staying on track when time is tight.
Laura Johanna Derkun and her path to the gym
Name: Laura Johanna Derkun
Age: 36
Height: 171.5
Weight: Around 60 on average. Lower during competition season and slightly higher in the off-season.
Before becoming a mother, Laura Johanna Derkun attended BodyPump classes. After her second child, she decided to try the gym. It immediately felt like a better fit, and that was when she began taking her sport more seriously.
Her results have improved with each competition. Her 4th-place finish at the Sweden Grand Prix is her biggest achievement so far, considering the scale of the event and the strength of the field she competed against.
But for Laura, achievement is about more than a placing on a results sheet. Consistency matters just as much. Preparing for competitions takes discipline when you are also juggling work, children, studies and everyday responsibilities. The truth is, many people find that even harder than stepping on stage.
When she was younger, she spent over 10 years in equestrian sport. She had horses of her own and loved them dearly. By her own account, she practically lived at the stables, devoting every spare moment to training and caring for her horses.
What keeps Laura Johanna Derkun focused?
Ask what motivates her and the answer is straightforward: the need to achieve. She enjoys proving herself and testing her limits. That involves more than training harder; it takes thought, too. How do you stick to your plan when someone tries to steer you off course?
Laura believes that having the right mindset is just as important as motivation. Confidence, staying determined and pursuing your goals are what ultimately move you forward. It is a simple truth: whether you feel like it cannot be the only thing that determines whether you train.
For her, relaxation is more about peace and quiet than elaborate plans. With workouts, work, writing her master’s thesis, two young children and a dog filling her days, her favorite way to unwind is a trip to the countryside in summer. Time stands still there, no one is in a rush to get anywhere, and everyone can do whatever they feel like doing.
It sounds simple, but moments like these help keep life’s demands in balance. When your whole week is packed with deadlines, things to do for the children and training, your body sometimes just needs a slower pace.
Nutrition, training and competition shape
During competition season, Laura eats more cleanly and carefully follows the macro targets set by her coach. In the off-season, she takes a more relaxed approach. She enjoys experimenting with baking and trying different flavors.
She prefers simple food and teaches her children to distinguish between healthier and less healthy foods. As part of her master’s thesis, she is researching how nutrients affect children’s behavior. This has led her to remove some foods from her own and her children’s diets that may negatively affect a child’s development or her own body.
Her favorite foods include goat cheese, smooth pumpkin soup with a knob of butter, and grilled salmon. They are simple choices, but far from boring. Being in good shape does not mean your food has to be bland.
Laura describes her training in a calm, methodical way. She discusses the structure of her program with her coach and then follows it. In the off-season, she does 5 workouts a week. These also have smaller goals attached to them, which help her stay focused on the bigger goal.
She believes in always getting the planned workout done, even when she does not feel like it or lacks energy. So what actually happens? Usually, the motivation comes during the workout, rather than beforehand.
For supplements, she uses protein powder on busier days, and sometimes BCAA and creatine. She also takes vitamins.
Laura Johanna Derkun’s advice for beginners
Laura’s biggest sporting role model has been her father, who was a swimming champion during the Soviet era. His records have, of course, long since been broken, but his achievements, mindset, determination and ability to keep his word have helped guide her.
Getting into better shape does not have to start with a grand promise. A clear, achievable goal often helps more. Laura’s three tips are straightforward.
- Set yourself a realistic goal and stick to it.
- Do not look for excuses to avoid following through.
- Find a coach and trust them.
These three points apply both to beginners and to anyone who has been training for a while but tends to jump from one plan to another. Trusting your coach does not mean blindly agreeing with everything. It means giving the program enough time to work.
You can follow Laura on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura.johannaderkun/
FAQ: Laura Johanna Derkun
How did Laura Johanna Derkun get into the gym?
She used to attend BodyPump classes but tried the gym after her second child. She immediately enjoyed it more, and that was when she began taking sport more seriously.
How many workouts does she do each week?
In the off-season, Laura does 5 workouts a week. She sets her program and smaller goals together with her coach.
What is her main advice for getting into better shape?
Set yourself a realistic goal, stop looking for excuses and find a coach you can trust. Consistency matters more than a single exceptional workout.
Author:Turg.Fitness.ee
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