He's not quite at the same status as Hulk Hogan or The Rock but if Aaron Henry's track record with overcoming obstacles through sheer determination is anything to go by, Toa Henare could be right there alongside them soon enough.

The 26-year-old is currently contracted to New Japan Pro-Wrestling - a billion dollar entertainment industry that sees Henry perform in front of sold out crowds all over Asia.

But it wasn't always this glorious. Despite always having a dream to be a pro wrestler, Henry had to go through multiple non-believers to get to where he is today.

"I remember in school actually telling my friends, 'man, one day, I'm going to be a wrestler,'" he told TVNZ's Marae.

"I think it was Year 10 - this relief teacher. I told her, 'oh Miss, one day I'm going to be a wrestler.' You know what she said to me? She turned around and she said, 'in your dreams. Right, now get back to work'" and that stuck with me."

"You've got to follow what the heart wants you to do"

But it wasn't just at school that Henry's dream was questioned.

"Every family wants their kid to be a rugby league star.

"My uncle used to play rugby league – he was the captain of the Kiwis. I think for my family it was a let down for them but they never chop me down as a wrestler.

"My friends, they said, 'you should do MMA,' but you've got to follow what the heart wants you to do."

In doing so, Henry said he found a way to manage his mental health too after growing up struggling to manage his anger.

"I remember talking to counsellors - I'm not embarrassed to say that - and not being able to control who I am was scary and I remember growing up, just, I'd snap and I wouldn't be able to control it.

"But what wrestling taught me was how to not let it overwhelm me and when pick your shots.

"I say to the kids that I talk to all the time knowing went to pick your shot in life instead of just going out fighting everybody, fight for the right reasons."