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to succeed was born. "I wanted to make the most of every opportunity," she observes. Setting definite goals for herself, the girl from Wesley Intermediate School, tried her hand at every individual and team sport in school. "It helped build character, taught me team spirit and defined my career," remembers Beatrice (one of the tallest girls in the class). From being the girl who treasured her only pair of athletic shoes to the go-getting CEO of BEST Leadership Academy she exudes confidence. Beatrice believes the ongoing support and love from her late grandmother and mother played a significant part in shaping her life and career. "I quickly learnt from my mother that a family that eats together stays together. Sharing a meal together with your family and friends means you can share, seek help and advice," she says thoughtfully. Beatrice quickly learnt that the best way to overcome a challenge was to first take a plunge and then figure out how to go about it. "I'm aware that one cannot always be successful and that sometimes the result can be disappointing, but I've learnt how to turn disappointment into positive energy. This can become the energy that drives you to succeed." This mantra has enabled her to tap her inner potential for every job—whether it's being New Zealand's first World Champion or championing a cause. As Goodwill Ambassador of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) since 2005, Beatrice works towards increasing public awareness about issues related to sustainable food, hunger and poverty in the world. "If I'm asked me to go on a mission, I will go to serve," she says emphatically. It's with the same gusto that she decided to take on another challenge and change her regular routine for a very different one. She rates her high impact stint on Dancing with the Stars television series as one of the most fulfilling experiences she's ever had. "I have a lot of fond memories of the show," she reminisces. "I'd reached a stage where I needed a break. I was physically and mentally tired from competing in athletics that I needed to do something completely different. So when I was asked to participate as a contestant I said yes to the 2006 season of Dancing with the Stars, although I soon discovered that I had two left feet," she laughs. "What was incredible was hearing we had over a million Kiwi viewers watching the show every Sunday night. For many months I was Beatrice Faumuina, Dancing with the Stars contestant instead of Beatrice Faumuina, the athlete," she says. "For many years after my dance partner and dear friend, Brian Jones and I were asked to perform at various shows, corporate events and fundraisers. Then, in my role as Waitakere City Ambassador, I was asked to find an initiative that would allow Waitakere residents to become more active and have fun. That's how the Ballroom and Latin Dance classes began at the Kelston Community Centre, West Auckland. This became a very social event. For 10 weeks on Tuesday night members of the community joined us to learn to dance. We had an www.hermagazine.co.nz | 11 Photographer: Amanda Bransgrove