Here's a romantic story for all the boys out there..and we know you're out there! Grant and Martina Aumua first met at the NZFBB Nationals in 2004. And after a year long whirlwind romance and an impromptu marriage proposal by Grant over coffee they were married on Valentine's Day!
Together they make a Super Couple in bodybuilding and in life. Grant has been a competitive bodybuilder since his teens and Martina is a choreographer who has competed since 2001. Together they aim to take Mixed pairs to another level.
Their story is about their passion for the sport and each other. The recent NZFBB Akl Champs on 3 June was the first time they've competed together since getting married. In this profile we find out how they've coped training and dieting together and how they've complemented each other during the precontest phase.
Occupations: Grant is a full time student studying for a degree in Sport and Recreation and working part time as a personal trainer at Global Fitness. Martina is a freelance Core and Flexibility Coach currently coaching Taw kwon Do Black Belts and the Bay of Plenty Steamers.
Ages:Grant will be turning the big 4 0 this July and Martina is 38 with 20 years experience.
Family: Together we have FIVE children. Michael 18, Meshach 14, Jeremy 11, Sache 11, Mjah 8.
How many years has each of you been training? Grant started at the age of 13 but it is his belief that was far too young. Martina comes from a dance background and started at the age of 8 but has been lifting weights seriously since 2000.
Your individual achievements? Grant started competing in 1985 representing New Zealand at the Worlds as a Jr. Men. In 14 competitions Grant has earned 11 first place titles. Grant has also represented New Zealand in rafting 2001 he is also an extreme mountain biker and action man. Martina started competing in 2001 earning several titles as Figure Champion. Martina owned and operated a dance studio for 10 years and has danced professionally in film, television and commercials. Of course there are numerous others but there wasnt enough space.
What classes do you compete in? Grant has competed in Naturals over 90kg. And in the under 90kg categories.
Martina has competed in Novice Figure Tall, Open Figure Tall, and the over 35. The recent Auckland Champs is where they made their Mixed Pairs debut. Their intention is to take mixed pairs to another level.
Where did you first meet? We met at the Nationals Sport Expo 2004.
Was there a pick up line??!!! Hail no! I dont do pick up lines. Grant is a true gentleman.
And how did you continue after the show? Grant was living in Rotorua at the time and I was in Whangaparoa. He had called me two weeks after the show and just wanted to come over and see me. At the time he was going through his own personal journey and just needed someone to trust and have a listening ear so we talked for several hours then said goodbye. Later he called to say thank-you and that he was on his way to Fiji .I thought that was it until
How long have you been together now? I had an unexpected visit from Grant on the 16 June 2006.We were engaged in July moved to the Bay of Plenty in September and were married on Valentines Day. So it has been just under one year.
Whats the stories since youve been together? Check out their romantic Valentine's Day wedding story here
Our wedding day is a story in itself and certainly a highlight. Another highlight has been our journey to the Auckland Champs and receiving the gold medals for mixed pairs.
How was the pre contest journey to your first comp together at the Akl champs?
We discovered that we work well as a team and with our combined skills and knowledge our training sessions became an interesting, pleasurable and rewarding experience. Yes we had a few testosterone moments but it was a growing experience for
the both of us especially as newlyweds.
Do you think its easier on the relationship when both of you are competing?
Most definitely. You must have a true understanding of what is involved when you live with an elite athlete. We also coach each other so that helps us maintain a balance and to keep things in perspective. The most important thing to remember is that there is life outside the gym. Even through we live, drink, breathe our sport we try not to forget to enjoy each other.
What do you enjoy (and dont enjoy) about training and dieting for a contest together?
We both enjoy the whole training process. We have taken one week off to celebrate our achievement by resting and eating what ever we want but we were both hanging out to move again. Diet is a four letter word and dont believe in them. We eat pretty clean anyway mostly whole foods that include chicken, fish, whole grains, nuts and seeds. When it comes closer to contest date we drop the avocados and nuts slightly and increase the cardio but because we train heavy all the way through to the last week we still include our carbs.
What have you learned about each other during the pre contest phases?
We learned that we are both very determined, focused, perfectionist and a bit on the competitive side that is why it is important we keep each other in check. I dont believe that is a bad thing so it must be all good.
What other contests do you plan to compete in together? The Nationals in October.
What other plans do you want to achieve together outside competing?
When Grant finishes his studies we plan to go to the United States so I can reconnect with my family and there we plan to put our talents together and have our own personal training business.
What advice would you give other couples who are comtemplating training and dieting for the same contest?
Plan: Make sure you have a plan. Have a visual calendar so you can see when will you start your training program, when will you have your music sorted and routine choreographed etc
Prepare: Prepare you meals. Start your clean eating early like TODAY. Start your choreographed routine three months prior to the contest. Dont wait to the last two weeks because it shows and the last thing you want to worry about is your routine. Get with a professional to help with your posing. It is vital! You worked really hard know what you want to show.
Proceed: Be committed and consistant with your training & eating plan. Walk the talk.
Communicate: With love in your heart and make sure you are heard. Negotiate and compromise you are a team. No one is a mind reader.
Evaluate: Have a look at what is working and what isnt working. Start a new plan if necessary but if it aint broke dont fix it.
Celebrate: Celebrate all your achievements even if it was one more rep or one more 20kg.plate. Go do something fun.