My background is varied.

I started out swimming competitively and I represented NZ in open water swimming. But the thing was I was too heavy and I didn't have self-confidence. I went onto Surf lifesaving and waka ama, racing throughout NZ and overseas. 

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I ran my own swim coaching business which I really enjoyed and then I joined the police. I spent 17 years working in various areas, including training Police recruits as a Physical Trainer at the Police college and then qualified as a Detective.

 

In the police I found the Armed Offenders Squad a massive challenge so I trained like a crazy person (no kids then…) and qualified. I was the first woman in Hawkes bay to ever do so. It was the hardest physical and emotional challenge I have ever completed. However the rewards were great, most importantly, I found confidence in myself I never realised.

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That was when the weight finally started to come off. Because I started to believe in myself…I started to like myself, who I was and who I was becoming, it only took 30 years. I wasn’t so hard on myself and I learnt how to eat foods that suited me and my lifestyle to reach the goals I had.

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Then the real challenge started, having kids.. Wholly Moley!!!! Two of my own boys and a step son have taught me empathy, resilience and love beyond measure. They have also taught me not to take life so seriously and to laugh every day.