Ironma¯ ori founder’s inspiration
A woman who has inspired many thousands of people to get more out of life, Ironma¯ ori founder Heather Skipworth, is giving a free public talk at William Colenso College in Napier on September 11 at 7pm.
“It’s a great opportunity to learn how to motivate yourself and others from a down to earth expert,” says Colenso parents’ association member Neill Gordon.
“Whether it’s a fitness goal, a personal mission, or just dealing with the everyday challenges of life, this free talk will provide real-life stories of success and a truckload of inspiration,” Neill says.
“And there’s free coffee and cake too.”
Heather says her talk will range from her “Once Were Warriors upbringing” in Pakipaki to discovering the joy of helping people improve their lives by setting a goal and going for it.
Since the first Ironma¯ ori triathlon in 2009, about 50,000 competitors have lined up at Ironma¯ ori events in Hawke’s Bay and around New Zealand.
Although Heather had played rugby, touch and rugby league for Hawke’s Bay and made the New Zealand Ma¯ ori rugby league team, her feeling of achievement on completing her first Ironman event (4km swim, 180km bike, 42km run) was life-changing.
“A few people doubted I could do it but I set a goal. I achieved it. I was on top of the world and thought ‘nothing is going to stop me in life’. It set the tone for the rest of my life — that I could do anything.” At the time she was a lifestyle coach and some of her clients were extremely overweight.
“I saw how they felt when they achieved,” Heather says. “I knew how I felt when I achieved, so I thought ‘I’m going to go back to Hawke’s Bay and start a half Ironman to put our people through it so they can feel that sense of achievement, and like I do, transfer that sense of achievement into my entire life. That is what I wanted for Ironma¯ ori.”
She calls it a movement, and emphasises the smoke-free, drugfree and alcohol-free ethos of Ironma¯ ori.
“There are now a whole lot of people around the country who are removing themselves from what they used to do, and are moving into another realm. We’ve had people on benefits who have now completed degrees or are part way through degrees. People have changed career paths. We’ve had couples on the verge of separating who have taken the Ironma¯ ori journey together, and have had to come together in the kaupapa — they’ve told us it’s saved their marriage.”
‘A few people doubted I could do it but I set a goal. I it.’ achieved HEATHER SKIPWORTH
■ Heather Skipworth, Wednesday, September 11, 7pm-8:30pm, William Colenso College hall, 21 Arnold St, Napier. Free, for catering phone 06 8310180 to reserve.