E123 | Mea Motu
Episode summary | Mea Motu
Mea Motu is a boxer with a 15-0 professional record who has conquered New Zealand boxing and is now ready to take on the world. She will be the first woman to headline the Fight for Life promotion and fights for a world title.
But her path to the top was anything but smooth.
Mea has a harrowing backstory of literally fighting for her life through an abusive relationship and domestic violence. This is the story of what she’s been through, how she found the courage and strength to fight through it and coming out the other side on the brink of world title.
It is incredibly powerful, but also a challenging and necessary conversation, with the aim to empower anyone stuck in a similar situation.
Mea is such a bubbly, fun, special human and her message so strong. Thank you for coming on with us and being so vulnerable.
Show notes | Mea Motu
1:54: The first female fight to headline The Fight for Life
5:00: A lawn bowling son
8:04: Reconnecting with Te Ao Māori
10:46: The importance of Northland in the journey
16:28: Moving to Auckland and finding boxing at 13
23:09: Dedication, discipline, and resilience
27:56: The start of the domestic abuse and breaking free
36:40: The power of speaking out
44:29: Turning up at Peach Boxing
50:16: The journey to becoming a professional boxing
55:24: The role of the corner team in a fight
58:42: Peach Boxing: a family affair
1:03:15: Flicking the switch and the fight game
1:05:47: Looking back on the journey to a world title fight
1:06:48: Inside fight camp: jokes, weight cuts, walk out song, world titles
1:15:24: Cornering in amateur boxing
1:16:25: Last words from Steve, Seamus, and Mea
