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Ihilani Laureta

@ihilani

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👧🏽Single Mom |👷🏽‍♀️Construction PM
🏊🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️IRONMAN ×3 | #4 🔜 2027
@garmin @defianttrainingmethod @buckedup
🩸Marrow Donor | 🌺 Kauaʻi

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SO blessed to be offered a partial scholarship from @mitchfitmacros 😭🙏🏽

I watched my cousin @platnm.bubz journey from the very beginning and told myself, one day, one day I’ll work with them too… and HERE WE ARE🤗

Just a few months out from IM, and now I get to dial in EVEN MORE by adding MitchFit coaching into my daily lifestyle. I’ve never been more ready to level up 👊🏽

I can’t wait to share this journey with you — all your support and encouragement truly means the world to me 🤍

Only 23 days into 2026 and there have already been sooo many blessings in every area of my life — this is the 🍒 on top 😭

HERE. WE. GOOOOO 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

#ironmantraining #mitchfit #singlemom #constructionlife #dontjustexistlive by @__ihilani__

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9 months ago

✨Ironman Texas✨

This one is for you Tiny T. The thought of you and all of our workout and training sessions at home, at the gym, and at the pool got me through the day.

Mommy loves you so much! I hope watching this journey shows you that no matter how hard it gets, you too are capable of more than you think - and to always believe in yourself 🥰🥰🥰 taken in The Woodlands, Texas by @__ihilani__

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6 months ago

⚔️ WELCOME TO THE TEAM ⚔️

Welcome @__ihilani__ to the Defiant Performance Division.

Our first Ironwoman athlete.

• Single Mother
• Born & Raised on Kauaʻi
• Construction Project Manager
• 3-Time Ironman Finisher
• Trains 15–20 Hours Per Week
• Completed Ironman Texas 2026
• Volunteers at Local Endurance & Community Events
• Advocate for Sustainability & Affordable Housing
• Overcame an Eating Disorder
• Survivor of Sexual Assault
• Chose Discipline, Therapy, and Endurance Sports to Overcome Trauma & Alcohol Addiction
• Raising the Next Generation While Chasing Extraordinary Goals

Ihilani represents everything we value at Defiant: resilience, discipline, courage, service, and the willingness to do hard things.

As our first Ironwoman athlete, she’s helping expand what the Defiant Performance Division stands for and proving that grit has no limits.

Proud to have you representing the team.

Welcome to the Defiant Performance Division. 💪🔥 by @__ihilani__

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4 months ago

What an amazing day!! ✨

Didn’t get much pics or videos today because once I jumped into that sand bucket line, it was all business! 😂💪🏽

Such an amazing day seeing our community come together ❤️🌺 Loved running into so much family and friends too 🙏🏽 🥰

We even ran into some of our jiu-jitsu ʻohana, and the kids did such an awesome job jumping in and helping! 🥹

So grateful for days like this, seeing our community come together and the next generation learning the importance of giving back and taking care of the places that mean so much to us. 🙏🏽❤️#paakai #hanapepe #kauai taken in Salt Pond Hanapepe Kauai by @__ihilani__

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8 days ago

As race week approaches for the Ironman World Championship 2026, aka THE BIG DANCE 🌺🤘🏽, I can’t help but reflect on how fortunate I’ve been to watch and support some of my dearest friends on that world stage. Joe, Brandon, Mary, Lisa, and Kawai — our Kauaʻi IRONMAN OGs! 🥹❤️

I’m sad I won’t be there to watch Mama Beast race again this year, but I’m forever grateful for the memories and experiences I’ve had being able to sherpa, cheer on, and support these incredible athletes. I’ve been fortunate enough to sherpa 4 Ironman World Championship races, and each experience has been unforgettable! ❤️

The ultimate dream is to one day qualify and race on that world stage myself. Until then, I’ll keep chipping away, putting in the work, and striving to become a better Ironman triathlete. 💪🏽

For now, I’ll be throwing my name into the Hawaiʻi Lottery and seeing what April brings! 🤞🏽✨ Maybe one day it’ll be my turn to dance!💃🏽

Wishing everyone racing this weekend an AMAZING race, and all the sherpas out there, GOOD LUCK TO YOU TOO! Because let’s be real… SHERPAING IS A SPORT OF ITS OWN! 😂 IYKYK!

ALL THE BEST!!!!!!! 🌺❤️🤘🏽#ironman #ironmanworldchampionship #kauai #konaironman taken in Kona, Big Island, Hawaii by @__ihilani__

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10 days ago

It’s been a little over a month since our tiny tornado moved up into the big kids class and earned her gray belt. 🩶🥋

I’m still in awe of her progression in this sport. Right now, we’re really working on her focus, mentality, and learning how to channel all that energy she has. 😂 She can definitely be a little spicy, but we’ve seen such a change in her focus and maturity since moving up.

I love watching her continue to be challenged, grow, and find her place on the mats.

I’ll always be your loudest cheerleader, but getting a front-row seat to watch you become stronger, more confident, and more determined is one of my greatest privileges as your mom. I couldn’t be prouder of the little girl you’re becoming 🥰

Thank you @esakijiujitsu for giving her a place to grow not only as an athlete, but as a young girl finding her confidence, strength, and discipline 🙏🏽 by @__ihilani__

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a month ago

Road to at least 1 Ironman 140.6 every year 🤘🏽 3 down, a lifetime to go 🤗 @kalin_mierink never disappoints 🔥 #dontjustexistlive #ironman #anythingispossible #trimom #singlemomlife by @__ihilani__

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2 months ago

It’s only July 2026… but 2027 is already in the works. For Ironman # 4🤪

🤞 Ironman World Championship Hawaii Lottery (find out April 2027)…
If not ➡️ Ironman California, October 2027.

Yes, Reign is coming. 👧🏽
Yes, I’m paying for a sherpa to come along as well 👋🏽(cuz we know what a hot mess I was in Texas 😝)

Sherpa applications coming soon🤪… must be able to keep me & Tiny T alive during IM week. 😂

Requirements:
✔️ Drill sergeant energy 🫡
✔️ Can manage two highly energetic & emotional creatures (me & Reign) 🤪 🌪️ ⚡️
✔️ Doesn’t scare easily😈
✔️ Can laugh at my squirrel moments… but still keep me on track. 🤣
✔️ Bonus points if you enjoy race-week chaos, LOGISTICS, and making sure Tiny T and I all make it to the finish line. 🫡 📈

Same dream. Different game plan.

Also in the works:
🏠 🏋🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🚴🏽‍♀️Building a fully functional home gym.
👧🏽Creating a RELIABLE, solid crew of babysitters for Tiny T for those back-to-back long training weekends.
💪🏽 Building my @defianttrainingmethod foundation.
📋 Creating better systems and planning long before race week.
⏱️ Training with one goal: race smarter, faster, and stronger.

Ironman Texas taught me MORE than I EVER expected🥹. Now I’m taking everything I learned and putting it into motion👊🏽. The foundation is being built now so that when 2027 arrives, I’m not just hoping for a better result—I’ll be prepared for one. 🔥#teamdefiant #teamzoot #kauaimuscleandfitness #teamgarmin buckedup taken in Sacramento, California by @__ihilani__

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3 months ago

Another stripe earned. 🥋🤍

The past couple of weeks haven’t been easy for this little girl. She’s been navigating a major life change, along with a lot of tears, big emotions, and learning how to adjust to a new normal.

But through it all, she still shows up. She gives everything she has at sailing and jiu-jitsu until there’s simply nothing left to give.

As a parent, I’ve had to learn that sometimes growth isn’t about pushing harder—it’s about knowing when to pull back, when to let them rest, and when they just need a little extra grace.

A huge mahalo to @esakijiujitsu for your patience, kindness, and guidance through the tears and big emotions. Thank you for creating a space where she feels safe, supported, and encouraged while continuing to learn and grow.

This stripe means more than any stripe she’s earned before. It isn’t just a reflection of what she’s learned on the mats—it’s a reflection of her resilience, perseverance, and courage through one of life’s biggest challenges. She may not realize it now, but she’s learning one of the most important lessons of all: no matter how hard life gets, you keep showing up. And as her mom, I couldn’t be more proud. 🤍🤍🤍 by @__ihilani__

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4 months ago

I had no idea what to expect from a ONE week sailing camp for a 7-year-old, but from day one, Tiny Tornado came home excited to tell me everything she learned. From tying knots and learning water safety to capsize recovery, steering a sailboat, and understanding the wind, she soaked it all in.

This past week has been full of adventure—sailing in the mornings and jiu-jitsu in the afternoons. It has been so much fun watching her discover new passions, build confidence, and find so much joy in trying new things.

For a kid with endless energy, these activities have been the perfect balance of challenge, learning, and fun. Watching her grow through experiences like has been such a joy.

Thank you friends and fambam that were able to come out to see her to today 🙏

And a huge thank you to the Kauai Sailing Association @kauaisailingassoc for such an amazing program. We can’t wait for another week of sailing adventures, because yes, we had to sign her up for another week 🤗⛵️ HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! ✨✨✨ taken in Nawiliwili Harbor, Kauai by @__ihilani__

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4 months ago

Tiny Tornado’s first NAGA competition came with a little bit of everything — nerves, tears, losses, lessons in good sportsmanship, and learning what it means to keep showing up. But somewhere through the hard moments, a little fire was lit in her. ❤️

At the end of the tournament, instead of being discouraged, she asked when the next NAGA was and wants to go. Since then, we’ve seen a whole new level of determination in her. She’s been taking practice more seriously, pushing herself, and today she earned her third stripe. 🥹🥋

We are so proud of the strength, resilience, and heart she’s building through this sport, and even more excited to watch her love for jiu jitsu continue to grow.

Huge thank you to Professor @iandelizo and everyone at @esakijiujitsu for creating such an amazing environment for these kids to learn, grow, and gain confidence both on and off the mats. 🤍 by @__ihilani__

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4 months ago

Let the 2026 summer begin 😎

So proud of Tiny T, she didn’t give up, and had such a blast!! So much more to come, sis is determined to “surf the river” 🤗

Thank you uncle Ryan ✨

You’ll know where to find us ☀️ 🌊 taken in Wailua River by @__ihilani__

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5 months ago