Humans of the Islands - Gaby Solomona
Gabrielle Solomona
Receptionist/Actress/Trainee Producer
Samoan
I have learnt the pursuit of your dreams requires a lot of sacrifice and in my case being able to work full time and earn more money is one of the sacrifices I have chosen to make because I know in my heart the dreams God has called me to pursue. I know one day my time will come where all my hard work and sacrifices will come into frutation and God willing I will be able to pursue acting and producing as a full time career. However I love that being a receptionist has connected me to so many new people on a daily basis and the variety of responsibilities that come with the role. I get to learn new skills and be challenged so I am constantly growing.
Gaby with cast mates Frankie Adams, Nora Aati and Malia Ahovelo from the theatre production of Puzzy
Gaby with cast & crew from 'One Thousand Ropes'
What do you love most about your culture?
I love the pride amongst our people and how proud Samoans are simply just be Samoan. Sometimes our pride can be executed in egotistical and ignorant ways but I love when the pride of our culture blossoms from a place of love and humility. That is something very rare but I have seen this type of pride evident in our traditional tatau's, pese's and sivas, and also whatever sport a Samoan or Samoan team are participating in. Us Samoans can get maybe a bit too passionate but the pride within our people for our people is so special.
How did you come to be fighting this Saturday?
I work at Ludus and so when they announced they were doing a fight night and looking for fighters I was like what a great opportunity to tick a boxing fight off my bucket list, so why not? And now here I am today, by the Grace of God 12 weeks later, hungry and can't wait to fight so I can go back to eating whatever I want when I want! Lol
What have you had to do in preparation for this fight. Tell us what a typical training day or week entails.
I have been training 6 days a week most weeks and sometimes twice a day depending on my work and life schedule. It has been a pretty hectic schedule because I am involved in so many different things from work, church, acting or producing projects and family.
I struggle with the art of balance and commend those, especially Mothers who are able to excel in that because I found myself throughout the 12 weeks often overwhelmed and exhausted due to my poor time management skills. But hey I’m human and I am glad I went through this process to be able to recognise what I need to work on. Trainings have been anything but easy and I have been doing outside training on top of our normal trainings because I knew personally I needed the extra 1 on 1 time and work. Shout out to our trainers Rod, Ritchie and Gennah who have been working so hard on us and alongside us throughout the 12 weeks.
Gaby with trainer & kickboxer Genah Fabian
Also I have been very fortunate to have met a young NZ boxer along the way Frank Masoe who has gracefully been helping and working with me (and unpaid I should say lol) outside of Ludus 1 on 1. I am not a natural athlete like my siblings in fact I’m pretty gumby but I was determined to prove myself wrong and push past my own self limitations to be the best I can be. I want to finish this journey knowing I did everything I could to be my best. There have been so many days where I didn’t want to train or where I would be at training and just want to give up and run away. I saw a quote the other week at Church “Sometimes God will put a Goliath in your life to help you find the inner David in you” and i think that perfectly sums up my journey.
What has been the highlight of the whole experience so far?
My highlight has been doing and achieving things I had been telling myself I wouldn’t be able to do. Like do a 6k run without stopping and get punched in the face several times without throwing a tantrum.
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What has been the most challenging aspect of the experience?
Getting over the self doubt and all the "I am not good enough" voices.
Whats the best advice you've been given?
"Don't listen to the boxing advice of people who have never been in the ring before. Take their positive energies but that's it." - Richie Hardcore
If this was the first time doing boxing what do you think you'd like to try next?
I would definitely like to get into the ring again but maybe when I am not doing a million other things all at once. My dream role on the big screen is to play a female boxer who works part time as a waitress and meets an old man who trains her up into pro boxing..Oh wait that one’s already been done, maybe million dollar baby part 2? Haha Watch this space!
To get behind Gaby and a great cause you can donate to her fundraising page here: http://www.ticketsuite.co.nz/frontend/champion/view_fundraising/71
For more info on the Fight Night and to buy tickets click here
