If I had a bucket list of things to do before I died, my top three would be: become a mum, attend a Wimbledon tennis final and run the New York Marathon.
I've broken my arm, collarbone and leg. I sound like Mark Graham but I'm really not trying to beat his record. I broke my leg playing rugby - it was a bit of a major, the reconstruction of it meant inserting a 30cm titanium rod into my shin. It's still there.
Comfort is my golden rule of dressing. If it's not comfortable you'll so regret it. Comfy doesn't mean tiger slippers and track pants though. I've suffered too itchy, hot, tight, rides up, slips down, pokes in, sticks out ... and no matter how many compliments you get it's never worth it.
Growing up on a dairy farm in Taranaki was the most influential part of my upbringing. A spade is definitely a spade in the 'Naki, but there's lots of loyalty, warmth and humour. There's just something about tyre-riding and building huts on the farm that enables you to see that the glass is half-full.
The years following my brother Stephen's death in 2002 were extremely difficult. He was 14 when he died in a farm bike accident. I was 18 and just about to move away from home for the first time to go to university. It was really tough having to start a new phase of my life in a faraway place. Dealing with him not being around is something that will always be a challenge for me.
