He’s strong enough to pull a tractor and can easily bench press a car – at 200kg, TV personality Levi Vaoga is a colossal force to be reckoned with. But while the hulking professional strongman may be an intimidating sight, the Kiwi icon is a big softie at heart.
“I always try and do nice things. If I see an old lady who needs help with the groceries, I’ll always give her a hand,” says Levi.
“I believe in karma and if you’re good, it will come back to you – and that’s why I think I’ve been so successful.”
He’s most recognisable in New Zealand for his “big is good” catchphrase on the Mitre 10 Mega adverts, but overseas Levi is well-known in the strongman circles. Once ranked fifth strongest man in the world, flipping tyres and picking up 170kg rocks now comes naturally to Levi. Although he’s always been strong – he was able to tear phone books in half as a child – it’s taken years of training for Levi to gain his beefy physique. The Wanganui-born heavyweight follows a strict diet, eating 500g of boiled chicken and 300g of broccoli blended with water for lunch and dinner on most days.
“It’s disgusting, but effective,” he says.
But it was never his intention to be a professional muscle man – the 43-year-old only entered the competition circuit as a way to provide for his family after being let go from his job in 1998. And despite his hefty size, it’s Levi’s partner of 25 years and wife of 10, Diana, who is the tough one in their relationship.
A former army sergeant, Diana (41) now works full time as his manager and is his biggest supporter – even carrying Levi’s bags to international competitions. While she complains her food bill is enormous, Diana loves being married to the gentle giant.
“He’s definitely got a big heart,” says Diana.
“He comes in handy too – one day when I had a flat tyre and I didn’t have a jack he lifted up the car for me,” she adds.
When their children were young, Diana worked full time in the army, leaving Levi became the stay at home dad caring for their kids, Justina (13) and 18-year-old Charnetelle.
“He helped out when he needed to,” says Diana.
“In the early days, I would come home from the army at lunchtime and express breast milk so he could feed the baby. But I didn’t have to worry much because he took really good care of them,” says Diana.
“Even though she was the sergeant, it’s still my job to look out for the girls and keep them in line,” adds Levi.
Levi Vaoga with wife Diana, and kids Charnetelle and Justina
Levi shows his caring nature yet again in this week’s episode of Mitre 10 Dream Home where he puts his strength to good use, helping out Team Orange and Team Black in a trailer backing challenge.
“It was really nice to go down to Christchurch and help out these families who have had a tough time after the earthquake,” says Levi. “They’re really good people and they’ve got the opportunity to win their own house, which is amazing.”
And although he never shies away from using his strength to help those in need, Levi says sometimes people overestimate his abilities.
“People always ask me to do furniture removal,” says Levi.
“I’m strong but I’m not strong all the time – I’m not superman. When I compete I’ve got to stretch and train to lift things. Lifting a mattress is still hard, even for me.”
Watch Mitre 10 Dream Home TV2, Tuesday, 7.30pm.
Photos: Helen Bankers, Make-up: Janet Rowe
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