World champion boxer Mea Motu is a powerful force in the ring, but when it came to signing up for the reality series Celebrity Treasure Island, she wasn’t interested.
“I said no at first because if you ain’t boxing, you ain’t living,” she laughs. “Anything to do with boxing, I’m like, ‘Let’s do it!’ Anything else that isn’t boxing, I don’t want to do.
“That was my attitude until my coach/manager Isaac Peach told me I needed to get out of my comfort zone and do something different – to give it a go.”
Mea, who is of Te Rarawa descent, took his advice and said she would, but only if he promised her a fight when she finished filming.
“I’m so glad I took it because, man, what a great opportunity,” she smiles.
Last year, at the age of 33, Mea made history as the newly crowned IBO World Super Bantamweight Champion, after defeating Canada’s Tania Walters at Fight for Life in April.
When she went into Celebrity Treasure Island in March this year, she knew her greatest strength would be as a mentor.
“I’m really good at motivating people,” she says. “When they’re feeling at their worst and feeling belittled, I’m really good at pulling that out of them.
“That’s my greatest strength, because I’ve coached in the corner and when that fighter is feeling like crap, I’ve got to quickly flip it and change it, and make them feel really great. And that’s what makes them win fights.”
She also gets up at 5am every morning, which could be annoying for her TV teammates.
“I’m also not very good at anything academic, like understanding and reading,” she admits. “I’m a bit slow on that, but if you put me on the spot, I can sometimes get it, but it’s definitely not my strength.”
Mea has been very open about her experience of domestic violence with her ex-husband.
“I knew it was wrong and I had to find a way out,” she reflects. “Sometimes I had to be my own hospital.”
Mea says there were times when she just wanted to give up on life.
“Sometimes I wished I was dead,” she tells. “When I was in that life of domestic violence, I didn’t value myself and I hated who I was. I was in a dark place, so I know what it’s like to be in a really bad situation.”
Today, Mea says she has forgiven her ex-husband, something which has set her free.
“It took me years to forgive him. It was only last year that I learned how to do it,” she explains. “I realised that I was just digging a hole and allowing this man to control who I am, even though he’s not with me. He’s locked up.
“I allowed this man to control my life, then I let it go and now I’m free. I’m enjoying life and embracing it with my children. I’m giving everything a go.”
Mea has five children, David, 16, Laylani, 15, Tūtanekai, 10, Shae, four, and Daniele, three.
“My children are my life, and my saviour,” says Mea.
“My daughter saved my life when she jumped in front of the knife my husband was about to stab me with. The strength and courage my daughter, who was only eight years old at the time, showed me, changed everything.
“That changed my whole way of life and the strength she showed me meant I could do anything.”
The charity Mea is supporting while she is in Celebrity Treasure Island is I Am Hope, which promotes positive change around mental health, and offers hope and a voice to young people.
“I’m an ambassador for I Am Hope and I’m very passionate about it. They look after your mental health and wellbeing,” she says. “That’s the greatest thing, looking after our children, because our kids are our next generation that we’re fighting for.
“If we don’t allow children to have a voice and teach them the coping mechanisms, then we lose that generation.”
Since finding a way to leave her husband, Mea says she has become a stronger person.
“That time in my life turned me into a stronger, independent woman and I’m loving who I am,” she enthuses. “Life is too short to be sitting there and sulking about yourself. Just enjoy every moment.
“We think we’ve got plenty of time, but we don’t. Time is very short, so embrace it for every moment.”
Watch Celebrity Treasure Island Mondays at 7.30pm on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+.
Help is here
Shine – 0508 744 633 confidential domestic abuse helpline.
Are You OK – 0800 456 450 family violence helpline.
Women’s Refuge Crisisline – 0800 733 843 (0800 REFUGE) for women living with violence, or in fear, in their relationship or family.
Shakti Crisis Line – 0800 742 584 for migrant or refugee women living with family violence.
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