My journey doesn’t come from blaming my upbringing which wasn’t ideal, culture wise or genetics, it comes from understanding that the choices I have made in my life have contributed to where I am today.

Yes maybe my upbringing (domestic violence and abuse from my father) and Maori culture may have influenced the choices I have made, don’t get me wrong I am extremely proud of my Maori heritage, I’m here to share and acknowledge that they were my choices ultimately.

Well I guess when it comes down to it, the choices I have made in my life have determined where I am at now.

My journey doesn’t come from blaming my upbringing which wasn’t ideal, culture or genetics, it comes from understanding that the choices I have made in my life have contributed to where I am now.Yes maybe my upbringing (domestic violence and abuse from my father) and Maori culture may have influenced the choices I have made, don’t get me wrong I am extremely proud of my Maori heritage.

I’m here to share and acknowledge that they were my choices ultimately.

Understanding this has really empowered me in moving forward to a new me and I hope this helps others to do the same thing. Success for me really is a journey of self discovery and not a destination.

Alcohol, drugs and habits from a cultural sense from a young age to now, has helped me to understand why it’s been such a challenge to build the health, energy and body I TRULY can be proud of.

My adolescent years were filled with insecurity, lack of self esteem and my eating habits I guess were there to blanket over it. I never took my shirt off at the beach, wore sweatshirts through summer and never wore singlets.I hated swimming sports as I knew I would have to take my shirt off therefore I would pull a sicky.

That’s right I too have had issues with how I looked and felt from my adolescent years right through to recently.What I really want you to take from this guys is to undo a lifetime of bad habits is most definitely not a quick fix and knowing this has helped me to move forward step by step in the right direction. I’m sure most of you have had similar challenges to face, I’m here to say with the right support and structure this can be overcome.

I’ve always loved sport and in particular cricket. This was the first time I fell in love with fitness.

I played third grade in 2005 and discovered I could give this a crack. I knew my fitness wasn’t up to scratch so I hit the pavement and ran and ran. My body and fitness changed. I was able to play at a reasonably high level, this was one of the reasons I joined the industry,the other I was sick and tired of watching family fall ill or pass away from lifestyle (culture) related diseases well before they should and I’d cried enough tears. I knew I wanted to be a role model for our people.

After 2 or 3 years I still felt I didn’t have the 3 things a trainer should have: energy, health and the body I could be proud of.

I started getting coaching from Matt Henderson (MP Specialist), to me this changed everything. It had nothing to do with the body either although that was a bi product.

He always kept me positive and never dwelled on the things I couldn’t do it built my confidence, and taught me how to become a coach. He introduced me to ICE (Body Torque) and MP. I completed Level 1 on line and went to level 2 where I met my mentor Mel who has continued on where Matt left off.

Currently I have completed my second 12 week block and most definitely have witnessed some amazing changes.It hasn’t been all plain sailing as Mel would tell you, but it is a normal part of the process.

Bit by bit it’s helped me break down my old habits and the things that have held me back.In turn replacing them with new habits. Being accountable to somebody, surrounding yourself with like minded people is important just as much as knowing your WHY? And making your WHY stronger than your excuses.

Phil is still on his journey to being the best possible Phil he can be.