A ‘warrior wahine’ is a term that blends the concepts of both strength and femininity.
‘Wahine’ is a Māori and Hawaiian word for woman, while ‘warrior’ conveys bravery, resilience, and a fighting spirit. Together, ‘warrior wahine’ describes a powerful woman who embodies strength, courage, and determination. It celebrates women who face challenges head-on and persist through adversity, embracing both their femininity and their inner warrior spirit.
New Zealand Rotarian Dr Heidi Ward-McGrath is one such woman.
A 25-year member of the Rotary Club of Masterton South and Alpha team leader for Alumni Engagement for Rotary Oceania, Heidi is a serial business entrepreneur with five businesses, a practising veterinary surgeon, and now a CrossFit athlete.
However, Heidi’s journey hasn’t been an easy one.
In 2010, while five months pregnant with her second child, Heidi was in a traumatic accident where she sustained a severe spinal injury known as cauda equina. This type of injury is very painful and can cause many people to become depressed, overweight and progressively immobile.
She was referred to one of New Zealand’s top spinal surgeons who said she would not walk for eight years.
Fast forward to 2020, and Heidi was not only walking but had joined a local CrossFit gym. Her trainer was an ex-SAS special forces and her gym was full of ex-military personnel, doctors, nurses, chiropractors and health professionals.
Heidi embarked on a long-term fitness journey, which has brought about a multitude of positive physical and mental health benefits.
“I want to be known as a person who has goals and achieves them. I want to be limitless. My aim is to be the best all-rounder I can be, both in CrossFit and in Rotary.”
As an adaptive athlete the weights for her division are limited to under 100kg, just as they are for masters athletes.
PICTURED: Dr Heidi Ward-McGrath will join more than 300 athletes at this year’s CrossFit Adaptive Games in San Antonio, US. (Photo: Esther Bunning Portrait Artist)
And her results have indeed been impressive. Heidi began entering competitions to test her fitness and grit. In the last two years she has entered and placed in the Masters, the CrossFit Open, New Zealand’s fittest Mum and most recently the Australian Torian Pro, in which she won her division for Oceania.
Heidi is now ranked ninth worldwide in CrossFit adaptive and has just qualified for the adaptive CrossFit Games.
Cracking the top 10 at any CrossFit Games is a major career achievement for any athlete. With over 300 athletes competing at the CrossFit Adaptive Games in San Antonio, US, in 2024, Heidi is primed and ready to do it for the first time this year.
As a Rotarian, Heidi is a passionate advocate for youth, education, women and children, and healthy water supplies. She also holds a special place in her heart for the homeless and those who suffer from both mental health issues and PTSD.
Heidi encourages all Rotarians to aim for a healthy balanced lifestyle.
“Limiting processed food and getting out and about in the real world does wonders for our mental health,” Heidi says.
In trademark style she has issued a Rotary challenge to other members.
“I would love to see a Rotary Challenge as a community fundraiser to raise awareness about the
positive mental health benefits of regular exercise.”
For more information, contact Heidi via vetcare@xtra.co.nz
MAIN PICTURE: New Zealand Rotarian Dr Heidi Ward-McGrath fought back from a severe spinal injury to become ninth worldwide in CrossFit adaptive. (Esther Bunning Portrait Artist)