Pasilio Tosi- What a Lad
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Pasaleo Tosi, the 140kg powerhouse prop for the Hurricanes and All Blacks, opens up about his remarkable journey from a small-town farmer's son in Levin to international rugby stardom. He shares the emotional weight of family separation due to rugby tours, the physical and mental toll of lockdown weight gain (20-25kg), and his transformation from a reluctant number eight to a dominant front rower. His story is marked by resilience—overcoming financial struggles, self-doubt, and the pressure of being a father of four while chasing his dream. Tosi reveals candid moments: his surprise at being called into the All Blacks camp, the nerve-wracking debut media scrum, and even a red card for bouncing the ball into a referee’s face. Despite the challenges, he credits his success to unwavering belief, supportive relationships, and a deep love for his family and the game. His journey is a testament to perseverance, authenticity, and the power of staying true to oneself.
Believe in yourself more than anyone else’s doubts—don’t let negativity hold you back.
Family and mental health are non-negotiable; success means nothing without them.
Discipline and consistency beat talent when talent lacks effort.
Your past shapes you, but your choices define your future.
Authenticity wins—be yourself, especially in media and public moments.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
From Levin to the All Blacks: A Journey of Resilience
The episode opens with a preview of Pasaleo Tosi’s transformation from a small-town farmer’s son to an All Black, highlighting the emotional and physical challenges he’s overcome. The host sets the tone with a powerful intro, teasing the depth of Tosi’s story.
The Weight of the World: Lockdown, Food, and Identity
“I didn’t even make it to 14. I dropped out at like 13. Doesn’t it start on 13? No. So it starts at five, skips to level 11 or 12 or something. And then it goes for a couple of levels. And then 14 is when you've got to really start hitting it. I dropped out way before 14. Yeah, I was the first one to drop out. It was pretty embarrassing.”
The Pivot: From Number Eight to Front Row
“If you think about changing the prop, it's a dark place to be in. Like you've got to be mentally switched on to be there because it's a dark.”
Family First: The Hidden Cost of the Dream
“I miss you. And you've got a big tour next year over to South Africa. What's that? Like eight, ten weeks or something? It's a massive tour. Don't want to look too ahead? Don't want to jinx it? You don't want to jinx it? Yeah, yeah. But yeah, I think it's eight, nine weeks. Nine weeks away and that's all. like consecutive weeks.”
The Power of a Single Moment: The All Blacks Call
“Oh, fire. And holy, did that tickle me? I was like, oh my God. Like, that was, it was the first time hearing it from the horse's mouth. Yeah. Like, hearing it straight from him.”
“Don't let nobody tell you that you can't make it. Oh, like it. Yeah, that you can't make it. Yeah. Yeah. Don't let no one talk you down. If you believe you can make it, keep believing, man.”
“Oh, fire. And holy, did that tickle me? I was like, oh my God. Like, that was, it was the first time hearing it from the horse's mouth. Yeah. Like, hearing it straight from him.”
“If you think about changing the prop, it's a dark place to be in. Like you've got to be mentally switched on to be there because it's a dark.”
Host
Guest
Pasaleo Tosi
person
All Blacks
other
Hurricanes
other
Southland
place
Red Royal Boys
other
Levin
other
Bay of Plenty
place
660
other
Global Rapid Rugby
other
Dan Cron
person
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