What do you hope to achieve this year?

Alesha | Te Tai Poutini

After losing her best friend, Hayley, to cancer in 2023, Alesha embarked on a journey into social media – something Hayley had always encouraged her to do.

“In 2023, I lost one of my best friends to cancer. That was huge for me – letting go of her and all the expectations I had for her because I thought she was going to be in my life forever. She was my longest friend, and learning how to live without her right here has been such a journey.

She was the one who talked me into getting into social media. I would always tell her stories, share laughs, and show her my cooking. She would always say, “You just need to share this with people. More people need to be out there doing it like you guys are. I think people would really appreciate that.”

I remember saying, “Oh, I don’t know, Hayles, I don’t know.” I worried about what everyone would think – just little old me sharing what I get up to.

But she would say, “Oh, don’t worry about them. Just do it. You have to promise me.”

Then she said, “I’m dying. You have to do it.”

And I said, “Okay.”

So, I got into social media because of her, and it has been such a journey. The feedback I’ve received, the beautiful messages, and showing that women can do this too – it’s all been incredible. It has been hard, though, because I still want to share my goals with her.

There are moments when I think, “Oh my God, this sponsorship came with this brand that I never thought would happen! A hunting brand that I’ve loved forever wants to sponsor me and make clothing!” My first instinct is to share that excitement with her, and then I remember – I can’t.

But I know she’d be proud of me. I’m grateful that I had someone like her in my corner, pushing me to take this leap.”