Apprentice of the Year competition: John Mainu’u

John began his apprenticeship journey mid-pandemic, having set himself a challenge to “get comfortable being uncomfortable.” That effort has paid off in a big way: through completing his apprenticeship, John says, he “learnt so much from it that has helped me do more for my community.”

With how much he has going on – teaching step classes, running small group and personal training sessions at Be Suite, and running Les Mills group classes – it’s hard to imagine how he does it all. But he has a focused purpose: to help his Pasifika whānau be more active and to ensure he’s a good role model to his own family. In that, he’s also grateful to have his wife’s backing in everything he does.

“I love to be active,” John says. “It’s already something I do for myself and I have knowledge about it from years in the fitness industry, and it genuinely makes me feel positive and happy when I see others reach their goals or personal bests.”

Finding his own path through his apprenticeship was important for John. “It involved having one-on-ones with my manager to mentor me in a space I could make my own but with some advice from her own journey. I soaked in what things worked well for her in the past and what didn’t – so I could learn from mistakes she had made or try to avoid them.”

Part of that learning included how to cater to different individuals, and it’s changed the way he approaches working with clients. “Sometimes that could be as easy as scheduling and prioritising their schedules, especially if they have young families, sports, or church commitments. If I’m more flexible for them it sets them up for success and means less cancellations in the long-run.”

Wherever his career takes him next, John has a clear mission in mind: “To inspire and educate others in leading a healthy and active lifestyle.”