Being a professional athlete in the modern era is demanding, especially when, like aspiring pro heavyweight boxer Junior Fa, you're attempting to balance it with an actual job.
Fa is about to take his first steps towards leaving the world of aluminium joinery and becoming a full-time fighter at Friday night's 'The Big Bash' event in Auckland on Friday night after putting his career on hold to start a family.
"I live in Tuakau so I have to wake up early at about 5am, try to get my run in. Try to be at work at around 6:30am. Finish here at 4pm, drive up to North Shore which probably takes about an hour or so. Train, then go home."
The 26-year-old had a promising stretch as an amateur boxer, securing a bronze medal for Tonga at the 2010 Commonwealth games and winning a New Zealand Super-heavyweight title in 2009.
Fa was also a contemporary of Joseph Parker, squaring off with the now burgeoning star on a number of occasions and doing more than simply holding his own, remaining the last loss on the South Aucklander's record.
"There is a bit of controversy on it," admits Fa. "The score is two-all, but I feel like I've won a bit more."
"But he's doing great with the sport. Hopefully I can get there as well."
Fa could offer a lot of insight into Parker's upcoming opponent, IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua, having trained with the Brit a few years ago.
"That guy's a freak," exclaims Fa. "Awesome fighter, and a very quick learner for a guy who hasn't been boxing for too long.
"Probably the hardest puncher I've been in the ring with."
Ultimately it was a sparring session with Parker's most recent victim Carlos Takam which encouraged him to set his sights back on the pursuit of his boxing dream.
"After the spar his coach came up to me and told me that I need to do this full-time.
"He saw a lot of talent in myself, so yeah, I was stoked with that."
Fa will face Junior 'Red Eye Pitbull' Pati at The Big Bash V, free and live to air on TV3 Friday 1st July
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