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The four-time national heptathlon champion of South Canterbury AC takes the plunge with our Q and A segment.

Why did you start athletics?

I started athletics when I was around five or six. I actually don’t really remember the first time I went to the track. I began because my three older siblings were all participating and it just went from there.

What was the last piece of athletics advice you received?

It wasn’t the last advice I received but my first coach, Ian Baird, always had little pieces of wisdom that he passed on. One I have always remembered for when I get really nervous is to “ form the butterflies into squadrons and use them”. I repeat that to myself often.

What has been your career highlight?

I think it was winning my first (national) combined events title. I was there on a whim and did not expect anything. When I won, it was such a surprise and also an absolute fluke. What made it really special was that my great uncle was there, Graeme Lawless. He was always a huge supporter of mine and a great athlete himself. He got to present me with my medal and I have never forgotten that moment.

What has been your athletics low?

I really struggle with nerves and anxiety when competing. There have been moments when I have let my nerves and mind get in the way of my performance and as a result have felt like I could have done better. Those are probably the moments I would call a ‘low’ – when I walk away knowing I could have done better but I let my nerves get on top of me.

Where do you see your athletics career ten years from now?

I have no idea. Hopefully I would have represented NZ a couple more times. I would like to think I will still be involved in some way. I don’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t doing athletics, therefore it is difficult to imagine it not still being in my life in some way in ten years.

What is your greatest mistake in athletics?

I don’t think I have made any large mistakes. Any decisions I have made have been a part of my sporting journey that has led me to where I am now.

One thing that does come to mind is not giving the heptathlon a go earlier. Ian Baird had always told me that I would be a good heptathlete and I did not want to believe him because it seemed like too much hard work. As usual he was right and sometimes I reflect and think about how much more developed I could be had I committed to it sooner.

Which athlete is the most interesting to follow on social media?

I don’t really follow many athletes on social media but I do like Sydney Mclaughlin and also Nafi Thiem. They always seem to be doing something interesting.

Do you have a favourite athletics social media post?

There is one of my sister in a hurdle race against Rochelle Coster. Rochelle hits the hurdle along with the hurdle in my sister’s lane. There is a video that I think Rochelle posted of Leanna trying to jump over Rochelle and falls over. That picture and the video always makes me laugh.

If you could change one thing about the sport, what would it be and why?

Probably encouraging athletes not to specialise so early. I think this is beginning to happen more often which is positive. I started off as a sprinter and then I got older I became a thrower which led me to the heptathlon. I probably would have dropped the sport if I hadn’t been encouraged through my club to always do a mix of events. When we do change as we get older, we have the ability to change events too.

There are many athletes that I see that give up the sport when they are no longer good enough in the first event they committed to because that is all they ever did, when really, in time they may have been amazing at another event.

Which athlete do you most admire from your event?

Nafi Thiem and Katarina Johnson-Thompson. They are so even in their strengths and weaknesses and it is amazing to follow them when they compete against each other.

From New Zealand, it would be Joanne Henry as she is the NZ record-holder and my first coach used to coach her and he often still talks to me about her.

Outside of athletics what is your greatest accomplishment this year?

Finally getting my teaching diploma finished. I took two years off studying after completing my degree and finally came back to doing the diploma this year. It will be a long-awaited accomplishment when I finally graduate.

What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?

Oh gosh. I have probably blocked them all out. I think it would be when I was red carded in a football game for doing something stupid while playing for my school. My nickname was ‘red card’ for a while as a result. That never happened again.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

After asking a lot of people this question and being given suggestions such as a duck or a monkey. I think I would be some kind of bird. Then I can live where ever I want. I can fly, swim and live on land. Also there aren’t too many predators.

Do you have a nickname?

Almost everyone outside of my training squad calls me “Tina” or “Tina Turner”. Sometimes it is weird when people call me by my full name because so few people use it.

If you could have a superpower what would it be and why?

Probably invisibility as a generic option but it would also be great to have the power to be able to ask for something and it appears. For example, if I wanted a new pair of shoes or food it would just appear. That way I get what I want, when I want it with no effort and don’t have to spend any money.

What is the funniest joke you know?

What do you call a women in an ambulance?

Nina.

That came from my sister, so if  no one laughs then blame her, but silly jokes like that make me giggle.

Where do you see yourself when you are 50?

Hopefully enjoying a relaxing life in New Zealand after a number of years living overseas in Europe. Living close to my friends and family and being content with everything that has happened in my life. It would also be helpful if I have won lotto by that point too.

What is the most ridiculous fact you know?

You can’t hum while holding your nose.

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and why?

Outside of the usual ones of having world peace and ending poverty and everything to do with getting rid of Covid. I think there is so much misinformation out there at the moment and it can be hard to find accurate facts. It would be good if lies and the deliberate use of misinformation would not be a thing. It helps no one and leads to too much confusion and conflict.

If you could host a talk show what three guests would you invite and why?

This is such a hard question. Probably Michelle Obama for the serious conversation. Hilary Barry for the sarcasm and laughs. Graham Norton for more humour and I bet he and Hilary have some great stories of all the people they have interviewed; and maybe one of them can bring Roger Federer as an extra guest.