Levi Vaoga talks about his time at Mitre 10 Mega and life after Mitre 10.

Former Mitre 10 'Mr Mega' Levi Vaoga says after 12 years the company parted ways with him without even saying goodbye.

Strongman Vaoga, famous for the phrase "Big is Good" on his promotions of Mitre 10 Mega home improvement stores, said he was now focusing on bodybuilding and running his women-only gym, Femme Fizek, in Taihape.

At store openings Vaoga was known to tip over 1200kg cars, press lift car axles and pull trucks.

DAVID UNWIN/FAIRFAX NZ "I don't expect a big send off, but I expected a card or something," Vaoga said.

Vaoga said he received no send-off from the company when he was dropped in June.

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He was on an annual contract with Mitre 10 and the company chose not to renew and did not give him a reason for it ending, Vaoga said.

It was a disappointing way to end the long-standing relationship, Vaoga said.

"We've had no goodbye. I don't expect a big send off, but I expected a card or something. But I got nothing. After all the years I put into them, I was a bit upset about it at first."

Mitre 10 (NZ) Limited general manager marketing Dave Elliott said Vaoga first appeared in Mitre 10 advertising in 2004 when the company built its first Mitre 10 MEGA stores.

Mitre 10 had a new advertising direction, Elliot said.

"Large-format stores were new to New Zealand shoppers and we wanted a way to clearly communicate their big size and range. Over time the Mitre 10 MEGA brand has evolved and we have taken a new direction with our advertising," he said.

Vaoga said he enjoyed the time travelling New Zealand with Mitre 10.

The best part of being Mr Mega was getting kids to eat their vegetables, Vaoga said.

"Apart from the All Blacks, there's no real heroes in New Zealand."

Mr Mega always visited schools, Vaoga said.

"I had a kid who came to me and he was 25. He said I went to his primary school when he was 11."

Vaoga said he was happy to move on with his strongman career.

"I'm a free man. They've had me for 12 years, now I'm free."

In June 2014 Vaoga opened a women-only gym with his wife, Diana.

"No men at all. It's called Femme Fizek."

He was in a positive mindset for the future.

"I'm happy all the time. I eat a lot of cake, too."

According to his website ,Vaoga commonly eats a bowl of porridge mixed with raisins, two bananas and hot water, four pieces of toast and 15 boiled eggs for breakfast.

"I am on a see food diet. When I see food, then I eat it", Vaoga said.

Vaoga is a professional strongman and was New Zealand's strongest man 2001 and 2003.

"I'm 41 next year, I don't get older. I get younger."

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