DAVID HARTNELL’S ONE MINUTE INTERVIEW WITH KERI ROPATI Keri-Lee Ropati, Personal Trainer is mother of three teenage sons and owner/director of Keri Ropati Personal Training Centre. She featured in many TV series (Celebrity Treasure Island, Shock Treatment, April’s Fit Club show) and was once married to a professional sportsman. Keri is now working in the professional health and fitness industry as a single mother. TWO THINGS YOU’D TAKE TO A DESERT ISLAND? Sunblock and a companion who could do the hunting and gathering. A lady has to look after her skin and she needs to eat. BEST ADVICE EVER RECEIVED? Always go with your gut instinct. It’s the one feeling you must trust. IF LIFE HAD TAUGHT YOU ONE THING WHAT WAS IT? My brother’s favourite quote “THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES”. CHERISHED FASHION ITEM? Taverniti jeans, leather jacket and my new ring that I have just had re-remodeled. IF THE HOUSE CAUGHT FIRE, WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU’D GRAB? My boys and a small suitcase with all my precious letters, photos and memories. WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Coxs Bay and born in Ponsonby. My parents were born and schooled in Ponsonby, my boys have grown up around Ponsonby and I have lived in Herne Bay. My heart and roots are in this area, it’s where I am happy and feel I belong. AM OR PM PERSON? Definitely a morning person between Monday and Friday; weekends I seem to come alive at night. FAVOURITE SINGER? Shania Twain, Helen Reddy and Ronan Keating - I love music. I am a hopeless romantic; I love music with lyrics that tell a tale, whether it be about love, passion or strength or dreams. WHAT DO YOU HATE IN PEOPLE? Hate is a strong word. But my biggest dislike is judgmental people. “Never judge a man/woman till you have walked in their shoes” that quote is sooooo true. LAST TIME YOU TURNED OFF YOUR CELL PHONE? On the weekend nights when all the boys are home safe. YOU REALLY DISAPPROVE OF WHAT? Lies and racism. COMFORT FOOD? Cheese on crackers, cheese and olives, cheese and wine... anything with cheese. WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? Life motivates me! WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE? I would like to think somewhere warm and safe with all our past loved ones around us, whether that is in reincarnation or a place like heaven. FAVOURITE BOOK? In the meantime by Iyanla Vanzant. WHAT ARE YOU INSECURE ABOUT? I learnt at a very young age to keep my insecurities to myself and work on them so as to grow myself. TELL US SOMETHING VERY FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU? I am the biggest softy you will ever come across; my cousin calls me a mallowpuff, hard on the outside, gooey and soft in the centre. I am an absolute softy. GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE? My BMW convertible. FAVOURITE HERO OF FICTION? John MacLane (Bruce Willis) in the Die Hards – he can rescue me any day.
10 PONSONBY NEWS+ October 2012
CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF WHAT WOULD IT BE? My hayfever ...it drives me mad! YOUR LIFE MOTTO? Do your absolute best, let the universe handle the rest. WHAT CLICHÉ DO YOU MOST ABHOR? What goes around comes around. GREATEST INDULGENCE? WINE! HANDSHAKE, HUG OR CHEEK-KISS KIND OF GAL? Definitely a hugger, I hug people that I truly love, so tight that they cannot breathe. First meeting always a kiss on the cheek. IF YOU WON LOTTO WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Pay off my mortgage; purchase a property for each of my boys in their own name for them to do whatever they choose come the age of 25. Give my brothers a wee handout. Do something for my Mum and Dad whom I owe so much to. Then ...kick back, invest... then carry on as I am today. ANY RECURRING DREAMS? I used to dream I was falling off a massive ship, I always woke up with a real fright before I hit the water. It was horrible. It’s been a while since I have had that dream. WHAT QUALITY DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A MAN? His soul! Strong, but gentle, loyal, and makes me laugh, positive with a big heart. IN A WOMAN? Loyal, non judgmental, fun and positive. WHO DO YOU LUST AFTER? Geez David, this could get me in trouble…can I say that’s a secret? MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT? There have been a few; the last however was my pathetic swimming turned into drowning experience when filming on Celebrity Treasure Island. I let my poor team down at the time and my poor boys got teased at school for that for a long time after. FANCY DRESS COSTUME OF CHOICE? Catwoman outfit. WHAT WOULD IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE? I have everything I could possibly want. However, getting my garage door fixed would definitely improve my quality of life. (DAVID HARTNELL) PN PUBLISHED FIRST FRIDAY EACH MONTH (except January)