Shannon & Nicole

I first met Darren Dingle backstage at ICN Nationals 2021, where he was coaching what felt like half the show. Even with a full lineup of athletes needing him, he still took the time to help me out. That moment turned into something massive — Darren became my coach, and together we went on to win the Bali International Open, take overalls in both Bodybuilding and Classic Physique, and eventually earn my Pro Card.

But beyond the trophies and the stages, Darren became so much more. He’s my coach, yes — but also a good friend, my best man, and a brother. A solid, loyal, genuine presence who’s been there through every high and every grind.

I’ve known Cody my entire life — not just as a mate, but as my real brother. From the earliest memories to everything we’ve lived through since, he’s been there. We grew up together, learnt the hard lessons together, and pushed through the chaos of life side by side. No matter what stage I was in or what direction I was heading, Cody was always a constant.

He’s been there through some of my hardest moments, the times where I needed someone who wouldn’t judge, wouldn’t flinch, and wouldn’t walk away. Cody has always shown up — loyal, steady, and protective in a way only a brother can be.

I first met Ethan back in 2017 in the Hutt Valley Police, where he was assigned as my FTO. From day one he set the standard — calm under pressure, sharp, reliable, and somehow managing to teach me the ropes while also making sure I didn’t completely stuff anything up. What started as a professional partnership quickly turned into a solid friendship built on long shifts, tough calls, and a lot of laughs in between.

Over the last eight years, that friendship has only grown. Ethan became more than a mentor — he became a brother. And when we weren’t on the job, we were gaming, talking trash through headsets, and building the kind of bond you only get after thousands of hours and way too many late nights.

I met Cam in 2024, when I transferred to the Whakatāne Police. On day one, it was clear we were going to get along — the kind of instant connection where the banter flows, the work gets done, and you feel like you’ve known the guy for years. We clicked straight away, both on the job and off it, and it didn’t take long before he became one of the people I trusted most.

Since then, Cam has become more than just a workmate — he’s become a brother. Someone who’s solid, dependable, always good for a laugh, and always there when it counts.