What’s the Buzz: How Willie Tonga went from broken to shredded

Former Australia and Queensland Origin star Willie Tonga has opened up to Phil Rothfield about how he went from struggling in retirement to finding his purpose as an inspirational role model.

Willie Tonga struggled more than most when he retired from the NRL.

He didn’t even know how to turn on a computer, let alone log on or send an email.

He lived his life around three-day benders, depression and by locking himself in a room for days.

The shocking migraine headaches, possibly from head knocks, that forced him to lie in bed for 24 hours at a time “in the foetal position”.

“What’s my purpose?” he’d say, “Who am I without a footy in my hand?”

Look at him now.

Look at the photos that tell the story better than any words can.

Willie Tonga in February 2021. He wrote: "We were in the thick of C19, my mental health wasn’t the best & I remember looking at myself in the mirror & being embarrassed that I had let myself get to that point." Picture: Instagram

Willie Tonga has transformed his body. Picture: Instagram

The transformation from a down-and-out ex-Kangaroo, Origin and premiership-winning footballer to a truly inspirational role model.

His dedication and commitment to fitness and the fightback from rock bottom.

From a broken man to a colossus, in the gym seven days a week, to beat off a crushing mental health illness.

Today he is working for Deadly Choices, an indigenous preventive health organisation, helping others to make better lifestyle choices.

This all started when Tonga, now 41, retired from rugby league.

“It’s not just the game you miss,” he says, “it’s the camaraderie of being around the boys and a lifetime of friends. Suddenly you’re out there on your own.

“I finished up in England (in 2017). My body was broken down but I was still reaching out to clubs because I was scared to retire because I had nothing to fall back on.

“What’s my purpose? Who am I without a footy in my hand?”

He tried going for a job but couldn’t work a computer.

Willie Tonga during the ABF Future Immortals tour in Kowanyamma this month (August). Picture: Instagram

A man who was so engrossed in his footy that nothing else mattered.

“I honestly couldn’t turn a computer on,” he said.

“I got offered a job. They brought me in, gave me a desk and I said to the girl sitting next to me ‘I think there’s something wrong with this computer’.

“I couldn’t turn it on. I’m 34 and didn’t know how to send an email.

“I’d been just so focused on rugby league I lost myself in the game.”

He was also dealing with serious medical issues, possibly related to head knocks.

Plus the old scars from 12 rounds of surgery during his career on his knees, shoulders, bicep and a broken jaw.

“I’ve had some shocking migraine headaches the last couple of years,” he said, “I don’t know what triggers them but I think it’s from the head knocks.

“They’ve come out of nowhere. I’ve had the scans but they came back inclusive. There were spots on my brain but they’re not sure. I now keep away anything that could possibly trigger it whether it’s bad foods, sugar, alcohol or anything else.

“It’s hard but I’ll do anything to stop myself getting another migraine and lying in bed for 24 hours in the foetal position.”

The former QLD Origin star reveals he’s struggled with migraines and injuries from his rugby league career. Picture: Gregg Porteous

The turning point came following a visit to Coen, a small country town around Cape York in far north Queensland, population 350.

He joined former NRL stars and Deadly Choices ambassadors Petero Civoniceva, Preston Campbell, Matty Bowan and Tyrone Roberts to meet struggling locals.

This indigenous community was dealing with the pain and heartbreak of a surge in suicide deaths.

“We sat around in a circle and these men, who hadn’t spoken about it, just opened up,” Tonga said

“It got very emotional … and I walked away from that trip with a new mindset.

“Listening to those men was a life changing experience.

“It gave me a purpose. That I could help others.”

Tonga had already made a decision to get his fitness right.

“I got onto a good diet and decided going to the gym had to become a daily habit,” he said.

“Every single day. I flew into Alice Springs the other night at 7pm. I went to the gym at 9pm.

“No matter what time of day, I make sure I get there.”

He now looks in such sensational shape in photos proudly shared recently on his Instagram account.

“I didn’t put them up to get likes,” he said, “and I wasn’t sure how it was going to be perceived. Are people going to think I’m big-noting?

“But if I can inspire someone, by showing people my journey, I’ve achieved something.

“The messages and feedback have been great. It makes we feel good.

“We all battle mental health but I want to show others you can come out the other side.

“That’s all this is about.”