Looking back at the late ’80s and ’90s, sport was my life. Rugby, cricket, athletics, you name it. I was all in. But rugby in particular left its mark. It’s the feel of the mud and the intensity of a tackle. Those moments are etched in my bones.

In 1995, I shifted gears into bodybuilding, focusing on classic athletic styles. Three years of intense training. And pushing myself hard out without much knowledge of nutrition proved that sheer grit could get you far.

In that case, my crowning achievement was winning the 1997 Mr. New Zealand Samoa Junior, followed by a 3rd–place finish at the 1997 Mr. World Natural Junior in Auckland.

But after that, something changed. The excitement faded and the competitive drive dwindled. So, I walked away. No drama! just done!

I’ve had many other achievements besides bodybuilding, but there’s no need to add them here. These are just the highlights of one of my achievements.

Next up, I delved into personal training at Club Physical Gyms in Auckland. This chapter focused less on aesthetics and more on longevity and balance.

My approach? Stick to the natural (raw) stuff – real food and real exercise. Forget the obsession with six-packs.

The goal is to feel alive. Climb a hill without gasping. Or join a variety of sports or games and keep up with the younger crowd.

For me, health is not just physical, it’s mental too. These days, I explore holistic approaches, avoiding the quick-fix mentality that’s so prevalent today. 

The natural methods have more to teach us than we often realise are the simpler.