When I was about six or seven, I would tag along with my mum to her boot camp sessions. She was so committed to her health and fitness, and by the time I was eight or nine, one of her friends introduced her to CrossFit. At first, I was intimidated I’d just watch from the sidelines. But the more I saw, the more it drew me in. Strength looked powerful, fitness looked fun and eventually I jumped in myself. From that moment, I never looked back.
That choice shaped so much of who I am today. My dream now is to stand on the podium at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the 2028 LA Olympics. What drives me is simple: I don’t want to live with ‘what ifs.’I know I have the talent and potential, so I owe it to myself to give everything. Progress isn’t always smooth, there are setbacks, but I remind myself it’s all part of the journey, and it will be worth it.
Of course, it hasn’t all been easy. There was a time when I became so focused on proving myself that I lost my joy. I stopped enjoying training and forgot why I loved lifting. What helped was opening up to my coach and reconnecting with my ‘why.’ I realised that joy is my fuel when I enjoy what I do, I’m at my best.
When challenges come, I remind myself that I never want to look back with regret. That thought alone pushes me to keep moving forward.
I am a Samoan woman from South Auckland, and I carry that identity with pride. South Auckland has its stereotypes, and I want to shatter every single one of them. I want our people to see that anything is possible with commitment and heart. My family is my unwavering foundation. They support me in every way possible, always watching, always cheering me on. My mum prays over me before every competition, but more than that she prays over me every single day.
Being Samoan isn’t just part of who I am, it’s the strength that flows through every lift and every competition. It reminds me I’m not just lifting for myself but for my community, culture and family.
This is why I keep pushing forward.