Former professional boxer Dave Letele has become one of Aotearoa’s most influential voices on health, fitness and wellbeing, using his own life experience to inspire Māori men to take control of their health and create better futures for themselves and their whānau.
Known to many through his Brown Buttabean Motivation (BBM) movement, Letele has built a nationwide following by helping people tackle obesity, diabetes and other chronic health conditions through practical support, exercise and community connection.
His message is simple: change begins with taking the first step.
For many Māori men, starting a health journey can feel overwhelming. Long work hours, financial pressures, family commitments and generations of poor health outcomes can make change seem difficult or even impossible.
Letele believes the key is not focusing on dramatic transformations but on small, consistent actions that build momentum over time. Whether it is going for a daily walk, choosing healthier kai or booking a long-overdue health check, every positive decision matters.
The health statistics facing Māori men remain concerning. Higher rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and preventable illnesses continue to contribute to shorter life expectancy and poorer health outcomes compared with non-Māori.
Health advocates say too many Māori men wait until serious symptoms appear before seeking medical help, reducing opportunities for early intervention and prevention.
Whānau support is widely recognised as one of the most powerful factors in creating lasting health improvements. The BBM model has demonstrated that people are often more successful when they make lifestyle changes alongside their partners, children, parents and wider whānau.
Support from whānau can provide encouragement, accountability and motivation during difficult periods, helping people stay committed to long-term goals.
For Letele, health is not just an individual responsibility. It is also about being present for those who depend on you.
Looking after physical and mental wellbeing means being able to support tamariki, contribute to whānau and remain active in the community. Good health creates opportunities not only for individuals but for future generations.
At the same time, Letele emphasises that personal responsibility remains an important part of the equation. While social and economic barriers can make healthy choices more difficult, taking ownership of personal health is often the first step towards breaking cycles of illness and poor wellbeing.
His own transformation has become an example of what is possible when determination is combined with support, community and purpose.
As Māori communities continue to confront high rates of preventable disease, leaders like Dave Letele are encouraging men to stop putting their health at the bottom of the priority list.
The message is clear: start now, lean on your whānau, and remember that looking after yourself is one of the most important ways to look after those you love.
