My name is William Te Rauhea Brown. I am 23 years young. Before joining Live for More, I wasn’t living life to the potential that I could have been. I was smoking drugs that were holding me back from being motivated and doing things that I love. My mind was in a dark space trying to regather the light, but my surroundings were putting it on hold. I was fighting a battle within myself.
I was quite hesitant to trust and believe what they had to say about the outcomes, but day by day I grew to trust and see that Live for More can help change a person.
I had heard about Live for More from friends and whānau who had graduated Tai Wātea. I was quite hesitant to trust and believe what they had to say about the outcomes, but day by day I grew to trust and see that Live for More can help change a person. They’ve helped change me.
One of the biggest changes has been my state of mind. I’m thinking much more positively now. Before I was mad at the world, and I felt like I was stuck in a mental prison. But now, I feel like the world is my oyster and I’ve learnt how to balance my mental health using my physical wellbeing. I feel stronger as a person and I feel like I know who I am now.
The programme has also provided good opportunities for me to pursue a career path. It’s always been my dream to be in the army. My older brother had tried to join the army but couldn’t because of medical conditions. I wanted to be in the army for us both, since he couldn’t live out his dream. Live for More has motivated me to push myself towards my goals and I am now on path to pursue the army. I have been accepted onto a full-time services and defence career pathways course at Toi Ohomai, which will prepare me for intake into the army. This course starts on July 19th and I’m eager to get started!
Another big achievement for me on Tai Wātea has been to push myself to improve my physical health. I’ve stopped smoking cigarettes and I feel really proud about this because it puts me another step forward in life. Being on Tai Wātea has helped build structure for my life and I’m now exercising daily and doing fitness to help build my cardio and stamina. I have also minimised my drug use and my goal is to totally give up the drugs in the long-run.
On Tai Wātea, I’ve learnt that “you can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to ride them.”
This programme has also increased my self-discipline, helped bring so many positive connections into my life, as well as increased my motivation. On Tai Wātea, I’ve learnt that “you can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to ride them.” Like in life, you can’t go head on into challenges… sometimes you have to go with the challenges and ride them out!
I’d like to thank every individual who’s helped me on my journey to get to where I am. I’d also like to acknowledge the brothers. It has been a privilege to grow with each one of you for the past eight weeks on Tai Wātea. I hope all of us boys can persevere and keep paddling into those waves.
A big thank you to Live for More and everything that they have done and all the lives that they have helped and changed. Thank you Krista, Jared, Sean, Aish, Dave, Bryan, Tama, Diego, Ben, Tash and all our speakers. LIVE FOR MORE!!!