The Dunedin swimmer is in the pool training nine times a week — sometimes for up to two hours — followed by two Pilates sessions and two gym sessions a week, not to mention the physio and massage visits in between.
Then there is her life outside of the pool, studying hard towards her bachelor of science in physiology and teaching part-time in the university labs.
"I thrive off being busy — I actually prefer it that way," Deans said yesterday.
"I think it helps my swimming being busy."
It is almost unimaginable that she has any free time to squeeze in an overseas trip next month, but it is an opportunity she would never miss.
Deans has been selected to represent New Zealand at the world championships in Japan, an extra-special trip given fellow Dunedin swimmers Erika Fairweather, Luan Grobbelaar and Zac Reid will also be representing the region on the international stage.
She described the large contingent as "absolutely amazing", and heaped praise on coach Lars Humer — who has also been selected as coach for the world championships — for his work elevating the group.
"It’s an absolute credit to Lars and his other coaches we’ve got here.
"They have such an incredible programme, and more and more people are coming down and joining it, which I think, again, is just credit to Lars.
"It just keeps building on top of it.
"Obviously, the training environment is getting better and better as more people are coming, and we’re all like-minded athletes, which I think all helps our own trainings — and we just push each other every day."
Humer travelling with the squad would be of benefit to her, as there would be that familiarity and "that piece of home" while she was away for an extended period.
The 23-year-old will compete in the 1500m freestyle and 4×200m women’s freestyle — alongside Fairweather, Eve Thomas and Summer Osborne — the same events she competed in at her first long-course world championships last year.
Last year had been an "eye-opening" experience, as she swum in a heat with American Olympian Katie Ledecky, and her relay team made a final, which was a highlight.
"I took a lot of learning away from the competition, which hopefully I can bring in to this one."
Swimming alongside stars like Ledecky pushed her harder, but she was not caught up in the weight of their names.
"It’s more so seeing that they’re the same as you.
"They work hard and you work hard. They’ve got two arms and legs, you know — they’re just people at the end of the day.
"I think a lot of time, especially living in New Zealand, we’re a bit isolated. We put these people on a pedestal and we idolise them almost a little too much, so actually seeing them in person and racing alongside them definitely gives you a lot more belief that you can do it."
Long-distance swimming had always been her forte and while it was tougher mentally than physically, she loved the challenge.
"They say ‘you don’t pick the event, the event picks you’ and I don’t have much speed, so it definitely picked me," she said.
She set no expectations for the world championships — "I like to keep an open mind about how things are going to go and not set barriers" — but she was more confident this time and wanted to do the best she could.
And while she was not getting ahead of herself, qualifying for the Olympics in Paris next year always loomed.
"They’re tough qualifying times for the 1500, but definitely things that I think I’m capable of.
"Obviously, it’s everyone’s dream, so it’s the goal.
"I think [the world championships] is a really good stepping stone for me for that."
