If you had asked Mea Motu 10 years ago if the boxing ring would become her safe place, she would have laughed and thought, "What a joke!"
At the time, in the grips of domestic violence and feeling trapped, she associated the sport with her then-husband. Dodging jabs from him was a weekly occurrence.
"I hated boxing," tells the single mother-of-five. "My ex did it, so that made me bitter towards it. There was always a shadow of him associated with it. I was like, 'Boxing isn't for me, it's for him."
So no one is more surprised than Mea that becoming a professional boxer has brought her healing. It's redeemed all the things that were stripped from her self-confidence, freedom and mana.
In April, the 33-year-old made history as the newly crowned IBO world super bantamweight champion, after defeating Canada's Tania Walters at Fight for Life.
As the unanimous decision was announced, Mea dropped to her knees and cried.
"I started getting emotional before the result was even announced because I was just so proud of myself that I finished it," she says. "That felt like a big accomplishment. Everything I had worked so hard for hit me really good.
"It was like a brick dropped on my heart. My legs gave way. I couldn't have cared less what the decision was because I already felt like a champion.
This journey has brought up a lot of cobwebs for me... trauma but also peace." Several days later, when the Weekly visits her West Auckland home, Mea is still beaming. Not just from all the attention and support ("I've had messages from men in their seventies saying how courageous I am, even though they're against boxing"), but from the number of "firsts" she has experienced lately.
This story is from the June 24, 2023 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 24, 2023 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New TV star Andy 'I THOUGHT BEIN AN ALL BLACK WAS TOUGH!' Кро
It was a big shift channelling his talent into the hit show Moving Houses, but the sporting legend is a natural
Babies and beyond! INES HEALS BRAD'S HEART
The actor is embracing life with his zero-drama’ partner
Spreading the joy SIR ASHLEY'S KINDNESS CLUB
The Kiwi health legend is taking a jab at teaching kids important life skills
Doing it for the mums! LUCY & BROOKE'S SECRET STRENGTH
Our Olympic golden girls reveal how their friendship is even stronger as they take a year offrowing
ANDREW'S HOUSING CRISIS
The prince is standing on shaky ground after the King cuts his cash
Kate's discovery INSIDE HER YEAR OF CHANGE
The princess dealt with curiosity, confusion, conspiracies and cancer, but never lost her spirit
Star's cancer battle
James Van Der Beek has shocked fans with news he has colon cancer.
POSH'S MINI-ME
Her future is all mapped out
Paula's emotional journey 'EVERY MOMENT MATTERS
The former deputy prime minister reveals the wake-up call that has changed everything
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites