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Irene Schouten, Dutch speed skater: Olympic Bronze medalist, 4X Gold Medalist World Championships Mantra of Success “You can always do more than you think”

Irene Schouten

Irene Schouten

Irene Schouten is a Dutch speed skater who competes in all-round, marathon, and inline-skating events. On 2 March 2014 Schouten finished in third place at the 2014 Dutch All-round Championships and qualified for the 2014 World All-round Championships in Thialf, Heerenveen. At the 2018 Winter Olympic Games she won the bronze medal in the mass start event.

She won the European title mass start in her first European Championship distances in 2020. She won bronze in the mass start at her fifth World Single Distance Championships. Was previously world champion in mass start in 2015 and 2019 and bronze in the 5000 meters in 2016.

Medal record Representing the Netherlands

Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Pyeongchang Mass start

World Single Distances Championships
Gold medal – first place 2015 Heerenveen Mass start
Gold medal – first place 2019 Inzell Mass start
Gold medal – first place 2021 Heerenveen 5000 m
Gold medal – first place 2021 Heerenveen Team pursuit
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Kolomna 5000 m
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Salt Lake CityMass start
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Heerenveen 3000 m
Bronze medal – third place 2021 HeerenveenMass start

European Championships
Gold medal – first place 2020 Heerenven Mass start
Silver medal – second place 2021 Heerenveen All-round

Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Irene Schouten, Dutch speed skater, Olympic Bronze medalist, four times Gold Medalist and four times bronze medalist in World Single Distances Championships here she talks about her workout, diet, beauty secrets and her success story.

Namita Nayyar:

You were born in Andijk, Netherlands. Your love for Speed skating sports started early in life. You took part in Dutch Championships Single Distances in the 2009-2010 seasons. You won your first Gold medal in World Single Distances Championships at Heerenveen in 2015. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as a Speed skater and winning a bronze medal in the Olympics and Four Gold, Four Silver in World Single Distances Championships over the years. Tell us more about your journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?

Irene Schouten:

I was born in Zwaagdijk-Oost, small village, 40 min above Amsterdam. I won four gold and four bronze at World Championships. I grew up on the farm. Not with animals but with tulips.

In the past, learning to skate was part of the upbringing. My older sister and brother started skating and i followed. My sister had quickly stopped. My brother also skated at a high level. He eventually chose to take over my parents’ business. I helped my parents in the business from an early age. This has brought me a lot for sports. It wasn’t always fun. For example, when you had to work in the fields and the weather was very bad. You couldn’t just stop, because the work had to be done. It’s the same with training in the rain.

My parents taught me, if you want something you have to work hard for it. Even though in, for example, needed new skates, I had to work for this myself. And of course to become the best you also have to work/train hard.

Namita Nayyar:

You have been a member of the Netherlands Speed Skating Team and had competed in the World Championships. Tells how you were drawn to these sports of Speed Skating and your meteoric rise to be a member of the Netherlands Speed Skating Team?

Irene Schouten:

Back in the days I did inline – skating in the summer. In 2012 and 2013 I got world and European champion. Later when ice skating getting more serious, I focused on speed skating. Speed skating is the number two sport in the Netherlands. And it is an Olympic sport. My goal is to get everything out of it. Show the best version of myself.

Full Interview is Continued on Next Page

This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness

Irene Schouten

Namita Nayyar:

You have won a bronze medal in the mass start event at the 2018 Winter Olympics at Pyeongchang South Korea. Tell us more about your experience of this spectacular exceptional achievement?

Irene Schouten:

It’s an event that I dreamed of when I was young. it’s so big. It was a pitty that I had to race on the last day of the games, which prevented me from enjoying other sports.

Namita Nayyar:

You have won Four Gold, Four bronze in World Single Distances Championships over the years. How do you manage such a remarkable achievement and which of these wins is most dear to your heart and why?

Irene Schouten:

My win on the 5k in 2021. This was my first gold on a time trail. When you win on a time trial, you really are the best. No excuses. For a few years I knew it was in me, it just had to come out once. I was so happy, it finally worked.

Namita Nayyar:

What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?

Irene Schouten:

My discipline is performed between 4 and 7 minutes. It is not a sprint, but it is not a long distance either. So I have to train different aspects. In summer when there is no ice, I do weights, running, inline skating (for training) and a lot of biking. In the winter I do skating and biking.

Namita Nayyar:

What is your fitness routine in such pandemic times?

Irene Schouten:

It depends. In the summer the aim is to get stronger and stronger. In winter the aim is to convert everything on ice. Technique is very important.

Irene Schouten

Namita Nayyar:

How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.

Irene Schouten:

I just do squads and jumps for my legs.

Namita Nayyar:

Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?

Irene Schouten:

I just eat healthy.

Namita Nayyar:

Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.

Irene Schouten:

I Love

  1. Pizza
  2. Croissant
  3. Apple pie
  4. Sushi
  5. Bread with cheese

Foods I keep to a minimum

  1. Pizza
  2. Croissant
  3. Apple pie
  4. Sushi
  5. Hamburgers

Because they are not really healthy.

Namita Nayyar:

You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine. What special care do you take for both during extreme winter weather?

Irene Schouten:

Because I spend a lot of time outside and experience all kinds of weather conditions, it is important to take good care of your skin. I do this with Hannah’s products. I always use day cream with SPF. I wash my hair two or three times a week. Exercising makes it greasy. Once a month I use a mask.

Namita Nayyar:

Five athletic leisure brands you love to wear.

Irene Schouten:

  1. Bioracer/Hunter. It’s the brand for my cycling and speed skating clothes.
  2. New Balance
  3. Under Armor
  4. Nike
  5. Adidas

Namita Nayyar:

Five travel destinations on your wish list.

Irene Schouten:

  1. New Zealand
  2. Australia
  3. New York
  4. Hawaii
  5. Brazil

Namita Nayyar:

Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding biathlete, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of Speed Skating?

Irene Schouten:

You can always do more than you think.

Namita Nayyar:

A message for your social media followers.

Irene Schouten:

Love what you do, do what you love.

Namita Nayyar:

What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?

Irene Schouten:

Be the best version of yourself.

Irene Schouten Social Media Presence

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/irene.schouten.1
Official Profile https://www.schaatsen.nl/rijders/langebaan/irene-schouten/

This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.

All Written Content Copyright © 2021 Women Fitness

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