A craftswoman with grit, heart, and a fierce front kick, Lou Fuller blends adrenaline with artistry – from pre-dawn Muay Thai classes to fine furniture design. Whether she’s trail-running toward a 50km challenge or carving out calm in a hot soak, her life is a celebration of strength, passion, and purpose. And yes – she’s probably already done three extraordinary things before your morning coffee.
At the weekend you’ll find me... If I’m home for the weekend I will often be found running around Nelson, either along the trails or the waterfront, training for The Spectacle in December (because I have never run 50km on the trail before and it seemed like a good idea to try it!). I do occasionally indulge in a relaxing getaway to Kimi Ora for a run along the Abel Tasman Coastal Track followed by a hot soak, a beautiful meal, and another hot soak!
Before work, you’ll find me... At Whakatū Performance Centre on Gloucester Street, where I teach a Muay Thai class at 6am every weekday for Tu Moana Muay Thai. It’s a wonderful gym with a lovely group of people and an energetic family vibe. I discovered Muay Thai here in Nelson at the age of 29 and fell in love with it. I trained five days a week at the club, and it was only six months until I crossed the ropes for my first Muay Thai fight at the Trafalgar Centre. Two years later I joined the NZ Black Gloves to represent New Zealand at the IFMA World championships in Malaysia, and the following year in Thailand. I have retired from competition three times now (we will see how long this retirement lasts) and now enjoy training just for fun.
I’m a real nerd about... Woodwork – or more specifically, furniture making. I got into it as a teenager and went on to complete a BA (Hons) degree in Furniture Design and Craftsmanship in England before beginning a career designing and making to commission, and later teaching. Woodworking has taken me on the biggest adventure around the world, and I have met the most incredible people through this shared passion of creating. I have been lucky enough to have worked alongside some of the best designer makers in the world, both making with them and teaching alongside them. I have worked on commissions for the Canadian embassies around the world and the Canadian Governor General, and taught at fabulous places like the Maloof Foundation in LA. Now I am very grateful to teach furniture making at The Centre For Fine Woodworking in Wakapuaka, where I spend my days meeting more incredible people and enjoying the privilege of being a part of their journey, sharing my knowledge and love of all things woodwork with them.
My real-life superpower is... Positivity and optimism. I can transform any “oops” into an opportunity and an adventure with a coating of joy and a sprinkle of wisdom.
The world would be a better place with more... Kindness and courage. The legacy you build to leave behind and the change you inspire in others is everything. Build people up, encourage them to go outside of their comfort zone, strive to give of your best always and sprinkle positivity like confetti A smile is a curve that gets a lot of things straight.
A family tradition I’ll never give up... Family time is so precious, we don’t have enough of it. In my family, I have three favourites. One: Fullers don’t quit. Two: Christmas time is family time. Christmas Eve is packed with magic, enjoying being in each other’s company, fun and games, and a sprinkling of elf dust for the kids. Three: Twin birthday weekends are a must – once a year, my twin sister and I enjoy a girls getaway – just the two of us – and it is magic.
The biggest risk I’ve ever taken... An internship at Anderson Ranch in Aspen, Colorado. Launching from a full-time job running a furniture making course at the YMCA in Whanganui, into the unknown with a world-class furniture
maker at the helm and a helpful shove from my twin. I left my salaried position at the YMCA for the unpaid position at Anderson Ranch Arts Centre to work alongside world-reknowned furniture makers and teachers for their summer programme. It turned out to be my best decision ever. Not only was it the beginning of many further professional opportunities, but it also led me to an amazing MMA gym where I discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and entered my first competition. So many epic adventures followed, and so many new friendships were formed.
