HUMANS OF THE ISLANDS: Barbra Auva'a
New Zealand Champion Powerlifter
Samoan
Beauty & Brawn
From competing for the crown on the catwalk of Miss Samoa to winning the gold on the Powerlifting stages of the world. Samoan champion Powerlifter, Barbra Auva’a, has flipped the switch on the abilities and strengths of your average dusky maiden pageant queen.
Beauty and brawn has taken her to global heights and she is a little known NZ Powerlifting multi-title winner, but hers is a story that comes with its own share of personal tragedy, trials and triumphs.
Still getting used to the Auckland cement opposed to the Samoan sand beneath her feet, Barbra began her journey on New Zealand soil at the age of 8. But it was at 16 that the ground was swept from under her when she was faced with the tragic loss of her mother who suddenly passed during the birth of her youngest sister. “It was hard for us but I know that when Mum left, a part of Dad left as well.”
As the eldest of 4, Bee naturally tried to fill the void that was left. However, the challenges seemed to continue to find their way through the cracks. 3 years later, Barbra lost her Dad to an unexpected illness.
“I feel like this whole journey pushed me to better myself and grow up a lot faster as well. Especially when Mum passed away. That hit me a lot. I think that’s why my little sister is my biggest motivation. Everything I do, I literally do for her”.
Using her loss as ammunition, Bee continued to push past the pain and make the most of every opportunity given.
In 2012 she ran for Miss World Samoa as a way to give back to her country. “Being in the pageant wasn’t just about being glammed up and looking pretty, to me, it was about re-connecting with my identity”. Surrounded by women from all corners of the world, it was Miss Tonga that captured Barbra’s attention when she famously did a 140kg squat for her talent!
“I really didn’t expect it but it had me interested and when we got back home to New Zealand, I ended up training with her.” Before she knew it, towards the end of 2015 she was asked to participate in her first competition, to which she answered “why not?”.
After being scouted by a ‘NZ Pile Affair Academy’ coach, powerlifting became more than a hobby.
“I think it’s always been our safe zone as Pacific Islanders…it’s just in us. The passion is there but I guess the biggest thing is having the drive for it. I know that my drive was not having my parents. When you lose your biggest motivation, how do you motivate yourself? That’s when I thought, ‘It’s time to do something that’ll motivate and challenge me at the same time’”.
Competing for over 3 years now, Bee has already racked up multiple titles to defend. After Nationals in 2017, she was ranked number 1 in New Zealand!
She is also holding the number 1 spot for the Auckland Championship Competition and was ranked 1st for the Oceania Pacific Games in 2017. Along with all of that, she is also holding the record for the women’s heaviest squat and overall total.
With passion in her pocket and a bulldozing drive, Barbra thought of a creative and fun way to fundraise as well as a way to give back to her support crew by creating ‘Bee Squad singlets’.
“Weightlifting isn’t funded by the government, which is probably the biggest difficulty but I love the way it brings people together… I found that creating Bee Squad Singlets was a fun way to fundraise because I can hear AND see the support when I’m at my comps. I honestly couldn’t be where I am today without those people - especially my family. They’re my rock in all of this.”
Currently gearing up for Auckland Champs in April right before the big lead up to Worlds in June; Bee isn’t backing down anytime soon. “I had a vision in my head and I wanted people to see it, and now that people are slowly starting to see it, it makes me want to work that much harder.”
“There are two ways to go through life, sit there and feel sorry for yourself, or believe in yourself and carry on - and that’s something I live by, is believing in myself no matter what the circumstances”.
If you want to jump on board and get behind Barbra’s journey to worlds, you can head to her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Barbra-Auvaa-Bee-290061371156600/, or follow her Instagram @barbraauvaa93 for frequent updates & a kick of fitsporation.
By Hanalei Temese