From tentative early steps at a crossfit in Port Kennedy, via technique training in a Cannington gym, Ngarotata has won international powerlifting tournaments throughout the country and has recently returned from a competition in Melbourne.
Along the way she has collected a haul of medals and with the help of her coach, Henry Davy, from Muscle Pit Gym, she has refined her technique to increase her personal best lifts.
She can now deadlift 175kg, bench press 92.5kg and squat lift 137.5kg.
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READ NOW"It has really boosted my self-|esteem because I was a lot bigger after giving birth to my second child," Ngarotata said.
"I lost about 25kg doing crossfit and I thought that was pretty awesome. Then a guy who came to the gym asked me if I was interested in giving powerlifting a go and I thought �why not?".�
At last year's Global Powerlifting Alliance World Championships in Sydney, Ngarotata was crowned world champion in her weight category (82.5kg and under), marking an incredible rise in the sport.
"I competed in my first State championships just nine weeks after taking up the sport last year," she said.
"I finished seventh overall, but I won my weight category, which was amazing."
Hoping to inspire other women, especially new mothers, to get into the gym, Ngarotata has already had an influence close to home, with her 12-year-old daughter Paige following her into lifting.
"We're both training for the State Championships in June, where I hope we can compete together, and I also want to beat my personal best, and then there are the Nationals to follow in August," Ngarotata said.
"I hope to get to 170kg+ with my squats, which is a big jump from where I am now, and I�d also love to hit 200kg with my deadlift. A girl over east recently did it and I can't see myself not having a crack at it."
Ngarotata is seeking sponsorship. Email her at jessandnei@hotmail.com.