David Letele
- Speaker
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Summary
David Letele is living, breathing proof that obesity can be overcome – and an inspiration to thousands of Kiwis.
Dave “The Brown Buttabean” Letele is a boxer and community leader, he is of Māori and Samoan heritage. As a child, Dave’s father was president of the Mongrel Mob, and he grew up around prisons and criminal activity.
Dave has experienced massive highs and lows, from sporting wins as a boxer, to losing everything when his supermarket business in Australia failed. At this point he returned to NZ weighing over 200kgs and turned to prize fighting to get fit. He publicly lost over 100kgs on social media and the positive public response led to him starting Buttabean Motivation (BBM).
Dave is a community leader who creates opportunities for people. He also works tirelessly setting up free gyms, a community kitchen, a social supermarket, and Foodshare (which regularly feeds thousands).
With BBM, Dave has created a model of giving that includes partnering with business and the Government to provide practical help to people, using social media to drive engagement. Dave’s outspoken leadership means he is often in the media, and talking to key government and community organisations, agitating for positive change. He shows that negative cycles can be broken, with the right support, good people, and dedication.
Television
David Letele is living, breathing proof that obesity can be overcome – and an inspiration to thousands of Kiwis.
Dave “The Brown Buttabean” Letele is a boxer and community leader, he is of Māori and Samoan heritage. As a child, Dave’s father was president of the Mongrel Mob, and he grew up around prisons and criminal activity.
Dave has experienced massive highs and lows, from sporting wins as a boxer, to losing everything when his supermarket business in Australia failed. At this point he returned to NZ weighing over 200kgs and turned to prize fighting to get fit. He publicly lost over 100kgs on social media and the positive public response led to him starting Buttabean Motivation (BBM).
Dave is a community leader who creates opportunities for people. He also works tirelessly setting up free gyms, a community kitchen, a social supermarket, and Foodshare (which regularly feeds thousands).
With BBM, Dave has created a model of giving that includes partnering with business and the Government to provide practical help to people, using social media to drive engagement. Dave’s outspoken leadership means he is often in the media, and talking to key government and community organisations, agitating for positive change. He shows that negative cycles can be broken, with the right support, good people, and dedication.
(* = highly skilled)
Boxing*, Rugby League*