Canberra Raiders winger Brenko Lee is doubled over with exhaustion in the blistering sun at pre-season training when Sia Soliola walks over and whispers something in his ear that makes him leap to his feet.
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"Remember you're doing this for your family," Soliola says.
That is all it takes for Lee, a rising Raiders speedster, to power through the next drill, using his family as extra motivation to push a little bit harder.
Family is the driving force for Lee this year. His mum, Aigia, his dad, Brenko, and his nine brothers and sisters.
Lee is pushing aside contract speculation which has linked him to a move to Sydney to focus on his ultimate goal - buying his family a house.
He wants to be able to put a roof over their head to thank them for what they have done for his career, and he wants to repay the Raiders for sticking by him through an up-and-down ride into the NRL world.
"For me to get them a house, that would be a dream come true. I want to get them a family home," Lee said.
"I want to settle down and get my life on track. I want to do it especially for my old lady, that's one of the reasons I play footy.
"Hard work will get you there, [Coach Ricky Stuart] told me that when he came here. I wouldn't say I haven't worked hard, but I haven't really worked as hard as I should be.
"Family is first and foremost for me. Everything I do in my life is for them, I make choices for them.
"When I'm down and out I think about my family, that gives me more energy and another boost. When I was buggered in fitness sessions, Sia would always say in my ear: 'Remember your family, keep running harder'.
"That will stay with me, that will drive me this year."
Lee will get his first chance to shine at the Auckland Nines this weekend, using the pre-season tournament to launch his bid for regular NRL game time.
The former Queensland under-20s representative and junior Kangaroo hopes he has finally found his feet in the capital after years plagued by homesickness and injuries.
He was once so homesick he drove himself to Canberra Airport ready to quit his Raiders contract and fly back to Brisbane to be with his family.
After growing up with a house full of nine younger brothers and sisters, the silence of waking up alone in Canberra was enough to trigger his homesickness.
But while family is still his No.1 motivation, Lee knows it is time to deliver for the Green Machine in the final year of his contract.
He is contemplating following Josh Papalii's move to relocate his family to Canberra to be closer to him, but he will wait until he makes a decision on his next career move before committing.
He lives with cousin Edrick Lee, who has taken him under his wing to help him with his diet and the pair have a simple solution to cure his loneliness.
"I just talk to my family more, my old lady and father, on the phone," Brenko Lee said.
"When I was younger I was too tired to make that extra phone call after training. It's like any kid that moves out of home, but now I'm buzzing every time I speak to them.
"I used to wake up in Canberra and there was no noise when I woke up, that was so weird for me. I wouldn't see anyone before I went to training.
"I don't want to disappoint my family, and I don't want to let down guys like Sia Soliola and Josh Papalii when I turn up at training. I've found the balance now, and I guess it's working for me.
"I'm enjoying it more this year, I'm enjoying training and I know that when it comes to fitness that I've put in the hard yards."
Lee has been working with the Raiders since he was just 11 years old. When he arrived in the capital, he tipped the scales at 80-odd kilograms.
A few years later he is up to 101kg to add power to his speed, but getting to the right weight has not been easy.
He ballooned out to 115kg when he was out for three months with injury in 2013, and he has now cut out guilty pleasures to help him maintain his 101kg frame.
That is largely thanks to Edrick, who has taken on duties has house chef.
"We used to go and get takeaway all the time, I love Subway and we'd just go there if we didn't have anything to eat," Brenko Lee said.
"I've been strict on my diet, I've tried to eat the right proteins. [Nutrition coach] Leigh Woodbridge has been on my back about my diet, so I've taken that on and I'm taking it serious.
"Eddy is cooking good, which means we have the right option other than takeaway. I feel like I've settled in."
Lee knows this is a massive year in his Raiders life. There was speculation last year linking him to a move to the Canterbury Bulldogs, with former Raiders assistant Brett Kimmorley saying the youngster was "unhappy" in the capital.
Lee walked straight over to Stuart to tell him he was committed to Canberra.
Now he is in the last year of his deal and clubs will be keen to see his progress as he looks to put his injury woes behind him.
Since making his debut in 2013, he has played just six NRL matches as injuries stalled his rise.
"[When the Bulldogs speculation happened] I walked straight over to Ricky and told him I love the Raiders, he just smiled and said: 'Don't let that distract you'.
"I love the club, they've done a lot for me and my family over the years. What I've got to do is pay them back for what they've done for me and sticking by me.
"I guess the injuries have taken a toll on me, but I'm getting back to like it was when I was a kid - just having fun.
"Last year I did my hamstring at the Nines, this year I'm actually looking forward to it and soaking it in.
"Usually people are nervous when they're coming off-contract. But I'm excited because I know I've put in the hard work now. The thing I know is that actions are bigger than words."
