What Makes Internal Strength
Internal Strength – He Mana a Roto in Māori – is our name, our program, and our philosophy.
It was birthed from the high pressures that exist at the top levels of success in the professional sporting world, and refined through years of real-world experience, iteration, and creating results for corporate leaders, government agencies, and individuals.
These days, the need for leaders & their teams, individuals, and youth, to find and develop their own Internal Strength, is stronger & more necessary than ever.
Find out who we are, how we came to be, and how we can be of service to you, your organisation, and your whānau:
A Powerful Mission
Paul is a globally recognised motivational speaker, former superstar rugby league player, and the Founding Director of Internal Strength, now helping thousands of people discover their birthright to self-confidence and wellbeing.
Born of Necessity
Despite having reached the pinnacles of the professional sporting world – including two NRL Premierships, and multiple appearances for the NZ Kiwis – for over a decade, Paul was secretly fighting for his life.
Back from the Depths
Paul’s greatest achievement has been overcoming five years of crippling depression, psychotic episodes, mental hospital lockdowns, and medications.
Taking a leap of faith, set out on a path of discovery, learning insights about his own mind and wellbeing, without medication.
Through self-study and introspection, Paul cultivated the techniques and tools that quite literally have helped him survive – and now, thrive.
Finding Your Internal Strength
Despite the cards we may have been dealt in life, we all have the ability to choose our next steps, and once we know this – truly know this – we can control our mindset, and through application, our future.
Internal Strength is more than just a presentation; it is an awakening journey that gives you the freedom to choose how you face life’s challenges; the freedom to acknowledge and claim our birth-right to happiness and self-confidence.
I have had the good fortune to witness Paul Whatuira present and to also work alongside him in the NRL Wellbeing and Education Community.
Paul’s presentations deliver a unique and powerful blend of courage and vulnerability.
His narrative story-telling is calm, clear, articulate and engaging. What is surprising is how his delivery has the capacity to exquisitely evoke compassion, empathy, love, inspiration and gratitude in all his listeners.
Judy Fitzgerald
National Rugby League
Meet the Internal Strength Team
One of the things that sets the Internal Strength program apart is its team From our founder & core facilitators, to the advisory board that guides our direction, to the seasoned cast of speakers & ambassadors – we are constantly improving our effectiveness, our reach, and your results.
Our team makes us who we are, and we’re proud to share ourselves with you. Here’s who you’re betting on behind the scenes, to bring you and your team to the next level:
KEY FACILITATORS
Every Team Starts with its Core…
Paul Whatuira
Director,
Lead Facilitator
Paul’s journey has inspired, birthed, and honed the Internal Strength program. He resides with his wife and three children in Auckland, and leads the program in the North Island.
Lania is of Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa and Tainui descent.
Lania is the Wellington regional Wellbeing Manager who facilitates the Five-Day Internal Strength Workshops, focusing on the strengths of the tauira while weaving in cultural approaches to enhance their mana.
Lania is passionate about contributing to the hauora of the community and continues to work within the Mental Health and Addictions space as a registered Addictions Practitioner.
Together, Paul and Lania Whatuira form the core facilitation team, delivering the Internal Strength program in-person to the North Island.
Lania Whatuira
Wellbeing Manager,
Regional Facilitator
“
Te manu kai miro, nōna te ngahere;
te manu kai mātauranga, nōna te ao.
The bird that eats the miro berries, theirs is the forest;
the bird that consumes knowledge, the world is theirs.
ADVISORY BOARD
…The Best Ones Stand on the Shoulders of Giants
We are honored to have an experienced, diverse, and supportive advisory board to help guide and direct the Internal Strength program:
Ken Laban
Sky TV Commentator, World Rugby Broadcaster, Regional Councillor
Trina Tamati
CEO Whāriki, Former GM at Ticketek, Former CEO NRL 9’s
Kerry Dougall
Chief Maori Health Officer (Ara Poutama)
Dr. Jim Mather
BBus, MBA, PhD, CA, CMInstD – 4x Chair, 2x Director, 5x Member
Arthur Grooby
Principal Analyst,
Governance, Strategy & Fund Management
Mel Harrington
GM at Ringa Hora,
Former National Director at Ministry of Social Development
SPEAKERS & AMBASSADORS
…And reach far & wide to find top talent & support
The privilege is ours (and our clients’) to have our esteemed speakers & ambassadors contribute their knowledge and expertise to the Internal Strength program, through live appearances in our trainings, input into our materials, and their strong ambassadorship & support:
Ruben Wiki
Founder/Owner at Wikiworkz Fitness
NRL Premiership Winner
NRL Hall of Fame
Shontayne Hape
Dual International Athlete
2011 Rugby World cup
Rugby League Two-Time World Club Champion
Shane Cameron
CEO, Shane Cameron Fitness
NZ Boxing Icon
WBO & IBO Asia Pacific Champion
Te Awanui Reeder
Director at Big River Creative
NZ Music Award Winner
NZ Hip Hop and R&B Legend
Annabelle Mather
Multiple NZ Award-Winning Journalist & Producer
Creator of the Global Phenomenon Netflix Series “The Casketeers”
Ruben Wiki
Founder/Owner at Wikiworkz Fitness
NRL Premiership Winner
NRL Hall of Fame
Shontayne Hape
Dual International Athlete
2011 Rugby World cup
Rugby League Two-Time World Club Champion
Shane Cameron
CEO, Shane Cameron Fitness
NZ Boxing Icon
WBO & IBO Asia Pacific Champion
Te Awanui Reeder
Director at Big River Creative
NZ Music Award Winner
NZ Hip Hop and R&B Legend
Annabelle Mather
Multiple NZ Award-Winning Journalist & Producer
Creator of the Global Phenomenon Netflix Series “The Casketeers”
Louise Cooper
Director Data Strategy and Management
Former Head of Technology at Qantas
Louise Cooper
Director Data Strategy and Management
Former Head of Technology at Qantas
Mihingarangi Forbes
Top NZ Māori Journalist
NZ Award-Winning Presenter
Bailey Mackey
CEO at Pango Productions
NZ Rugby Board
Ravinder Hunia
Producer UFC & Poi Āwhina at Sky Sports
NZ Boxing Contender
Tapere Kaulima
Managing Director & Mortgage Adviser at Hewett Mortgages
Mihingarangi Forbes
Top NZ Māori Journalist
NZ Award-Winning Presenter
Bailey Mackey
CEO at Pango Productions
NZ Rugby Board
Ravinder Hunia
Producer UFC & Poi Āwhina at Sky Sports
NZ Boxing Contender
Tapere Kaulima
Managing Director & Mortgage Adviser at Hewett Mortgages
CLIENTS & PARTNERS
…To deliver top rate results to top tier organisatons & people
We support, service, and partner with government, companies, and organisations who are committed to improving their teams’ performance & quality of life, and amplifying their impact on the world:
Discover Our Services,
Change Your Circumstances
Through our in-house/in-person & remote trainings, public speaking, and coaching programs, we provide the tools, resources, and support to discover & develop your own internal strength.