A Cook Islands couple have set about getting their people on track to good health through an app.

Rarotonga based trainer Maiti Samson says “being the first Pacific Islander to launch a health and fitness app, I feel the biggest struggle our people face when trying to achieve health and fitness goals comes down to our nutrition”.

Samson, alongside his wife Vina Samson, are both trying to find avenues for more exposure to the health and fitness app, “specifically designed for our Polynesian people”.

Owners of TMS Fitness, established in Auckland in 2014, they have lived in Rarotonga for the past six years.

“Growing up in the islands, we’ve been raised in our own food culture where the westernised health and fitness industries aren’t aware of our food choices and how limited we are to training facilities,” says Vina.

“So, in saying that, from the past six years of operating here in Rarotonga, we have taken everything we’ve learnt and have built an app where anyone, but most importantly our Polynesian people worldwide, can relate to the food choices and workout choices available to create a more sustainable health and fitness lifestyle.

“Let’s be honest, raw fish or sashimi aren’t bad, palusami and chop suey aren’t bad either, but when people are on a challenge, there seems to be a bad food or good food field.

“That is the wrong way to think of foods, it all comes down to the amount we consume, and understanding what meals are less or more nutritious.

“It’s not rocket science, but not everyone can hold themselves accountable to achieving their health and fitness goals, and this is where we come in to help.”

Both of them were raised in the Cook Islands.

Maiti, a qualified personal trainer, had his dreams shattered through a rugby injury.

“At least that’s what I thought, until it led me down a different path closest to my rugby dreams,” he says.

“I discovered a deep-seated passion for helping others to find their health and fitness transformations. 

“This pathway changed my life, years ago so profoundly today, I specialise in empowering others, especially my Pacific Islands people to discover a healthy love of nutrition and fitness in a sustainable, fun way that transforms their lives.

“I believe in the best version of you.”

The couple says they have built a family-oriented culture where “all walks of life come together to uplift and build each other, no one gets left behind”.

They described TMS as a health and fitness brand built around bringing people together.

“Adding value by giving our people simple tools that the fitness industry over saturate to confuse our people.”

Vina shares they have members who are on their Ultimate TMS Transformation programme from Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and a few Polynesians in the United States.

“Our biggest challenge we’ve run here in Raro, we had over 200 people sign up.

“Our goal is to share our work with the rest of the world and transform at least 1000 Polynesians worldwide. 

“This brand has always been about sharing my passion in the health and fitness industry, and it wouldn’t be more purposeful if it isn’t for our everyday people and their progress, both physical and mental,” Maiti said.

“I love seeing people grow and just be a better version of themselves.

“I love seeing people value their time, by investing into their health.”

For more information, visit www.tmsfitnesstransformation.com.