VF: My parents weren’t happy because I was supposed to be the rugby star. I’d played the sport from the age of five and had the talent and the passion to make it because my whole family lived, played and breathed rugby. My Dad had come from Tonga to New Zealand on a contract to play rugby and met my Mum through my grandfather, who was the chairman of a rugby club in Auckland. I owe my strong work ethic to my Dad.
But when Dad found out about the pregnancy, I was scared he was going to kill me! Honestly, I was mentally and physically preparing myself, like: okay, first he’s going to smack me for upsetting our family. Then he’s going to repeat those smacks with a wooden stick but about ten times harder for making Khiran’s family upset, hahaha! Man was I wrong: he just spoke in a soft, calm tone and said: “OK you think you’re a big man, you think you can raise another human being at your age? GOOD LUCK.” Then he just walked away. Honestly, it hurt like hell. I wished I’d got the beating instead.
He gave me a week to reflect, and then asked me how I felt. I replied: “I’ve got a massive responsibility to fulfill, so I need to get a job.” He just nodded with a smirk. Soon after that, he introduced me to mechanical engineering, which was his profession alongside coaching top-level
rugby. It was a fresh start for me, along with discovering the gym and bodybuilding.
Unfortunately, Dad passed away before Piper’s first birthday. I know he was there in spirit though. I’m super grateful for the life lessons he taught me about self-reliance and independence.
SS: What was it like when Piper was born?
VF: It was tough. At that age, the baby doesn’t care how old you are. It just wants to be fed and have its nappies changed. I learned from an early age that nobody was coming to save me. I couldn’t just go: “Hey friends, hey family – can you look after my baby until I get my life together?” So, what did I do? I had to back myself and own it.
When people find out you’re a kid and you’re going to have a baby, everybody starts looking down on you. I couldn’t even walk down the street without getting mocked. After I became a father, nobody believed in me. Everybody doubted me and no one thought I was going to be a good dad, to be able to provide for my daughter. Having people look down on me, saying: “You’re a loser, you’re going to be nothing” is where a lot of my drive to succeed came from. It gave birth to confidence I didn’t know I had and helped me become the ultimate version of myself. That’s why I don’t rely on anyone else, even today.
Now, even in the most physically and mentally challenging times, I know I can handle it – because of what I’ve already survived in the past.
SS: You’re now a Les Mills Ambassador, a personal trainer, a hugely popular group fitness Instructor, and a regular LES MILLS+ presenter. What keeps you motivated?
VF: You need to know why you want to teach. I do it because I know every time I turn up, someone’s relying on me to give them a workout. You’ve got to be dedicated to turning it up every time, and you also have to love to give.
For me, it’s never been about money or trying to be famous. It’s not about being the fittest person in the room (unless it’s a competition, haha!). I just love motivating people. And I don’t sugar-coat anything … I get straight to the point.
SS: So how do you keep growing and making sure you’re performing at your best?