Teofilo Paulo

How do you manage to balance the demands of your sports commitments & your trade job?

A supportive wife. My wife holds it down at home with our 3 boys so that I can go to work and also go to training. 

What inspired you to get into building?

My Dad. He is a builder as well so growing up he would bring off cut timbers home and we would use it to build things at home. Always loved seeing things built from ground up as well.

How do the skills you develop in your building apprenticeship translate to your sports career?

It’s a bit different for me as I had been playing professional rugby for over 16years before I got into building. This is my 4th year as an apprentice having played for the Wellington Lions the last 2 years. So, what I’ve learnt in Rugby I’ve carried on into my building apprentice. Hardwork, punctuality, team work as well as breaking down little details.  

Can you describe a typical day in your life, balancing training, competition, and your apprenticeship?

Preseason was a bit more full-on where I would wake up round 4, head into the gym then head to work for 7-5 then back to training base for team training and fitness. It also helps having a boss that is understanding and supportive of your goals as an apprentice as well as outside of building.  In season was a lot more chill where I was full time training and then on down time would do some book work, and maybe if I wasn’t picked for the squad that week, I would go into work on my day off just so I don’t get too rusty on tools. 

What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced while balancing the two?

I found in the preseason period where I was doing morning and after work training was tough as well as finding time to spend with the family. But then during the season I found it was the opposite which was awesome but then having to put time aside for bookwork was tough too. 

Do you find that working in construction gives you a break from the intensity of sports?

No not really. I see building as a challenge for me. I monitor it but tasks completed. Obviously, safety is always 1st but I bring the same energy to work as I would to a team sport environment. 

Has your experience in sports helped you develop qualities that make you successful in your apprenticeship (like teamwork, discipline, or resilience)?

Yes, definitely. Like I said before a lot of what I have learnt from rugby I apply into my apprentice. 

How do you keep yourself motivated and energised when juggling both a physically demanding sport and a hands-on apprenticeship?

At this point of my career, I use my kids as motivation. As I’m nearing the end of my rugby career, I focus on them as well as my parents and their sacrifices to get me to where I am and trying to install those same values into my kids through actions through showing them hard work and dedication. I also know once I finish playing, I will miss it so just making the most and enjoying of every moment of the process. 

Do you have a long-term plan to transition from one career to the other once your sports career comes to an end, or do you see both careers coexisting long term? 

I am currently transitioning from rugby to construction at the moment and most probably hang the boots up in the next year or 2 competitively. Playing rugby professionally for a long period of time I got to see a lot of cool places and experience a lot of amazing cultures and once you near the end of that those experiences don’t come round as often so for a lot of players, the hardest part is accepting that it is coming to an end. But with a good support system around you and good plans in place the transition is a lot easier. I am pretty easy going so I just take everything as it comes.

What advice would you give to young athletes who might be interested in pursuing a career outside of sports while still competing professionally? 

“Be where your feet are” simple but effective phrase that helps me and for me it just means being present in the moment, when I’m at training. Be present at training. When I’m at work or doing book work be present. When it’s family time with the kids. Be present. Don’t bring rugby life to work or work life home. And always enjoy the process.