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World's Biggest Boot Camp, record attempt set for Eden Park


Kiwis invited to get along to Eden Park for fun, fitness and a world record attempt


Kiwis are being urged to turn up at Eden Park in their droves for the “World’s Biggest Boot Camp” at Eden Park on Sunday, February 24.

The free workout – to take place on the hallowed Eden Park turf and hosted by former celebrity boxer turned health campaigner David Letele – will feature a world record attempt for the most people performing a simultaneous frog squat.

“The world record attempt is a bit of fun but the most important thing is for people to get out there, get active and help spread the message that obesity and its negative health impacts can be overcome,” said Letele, whose Buttabean Motivation movement (BBM) has over 11,000 active members.

Having once weighed over 200kg and been so big he struggled to fit in a single seat of a plane, the now 106kg Letele has dedicated his life to battling New Zealand’s obesity epidemic.

“I’m living proof that obesity can be overcome,” Letele said. “At my largest I was really physically and mentally unwell. I hated my life and couldn’t see a way forward. But I’ve managed to turn things around and others can too.

"That’s what this event is about – spreading the message that obesity and its negative health consequences can be overcome. That starts with a step and I’m hoping some people will take that first step on February 24 at Eden Park.”

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Letele said he hoped a crowd of several thousand would descend on Eden Park for the event.

“This is a chance for people to really make a statement that Kiwis’ health is important. And it’s also a chance to have some fun doing it – not to mention set foot on a hallowed turf where some of the greatest moments in New Zealand sport have unfolded.”

Eden Park Chief Executive Officer Nick Sautner says the stadium is committed to greater utilisation of the stadium and its facilities for the benefit of the local and wider community. The World’s Biggest Boot Camp is a good example of that.

“Throughout the past 116 years Eden Park has brought Kiwis together to enjoy experiences and witness some of our country’s most memorable sporting moments,” Sautner said.

“New Zealand’s national stadium is proud to be a community facility and support fantastic initiatives like this one.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming crowds onto our historic ground and encouraging them to get active with their friends and families whilst challenging yet another world record at Eden Park!”

The event is being backed by a host of Kiwi sporting icons including former Blues captain Keven Mealamu, former Warriors captain Monty Betham and former Kiwis captain Ruben Wiki.

A non-profit event delivered by the Just Move Charitable Trust, the World’s Biggest Boot Camp is supported by Nutribullet, SKYCITY, thl and Eden Park.

“We’re really lucky and grateful to have that corporate support,” Letele said. “There’s certainly a widespread understanding of the negative effect obesity is having on our Kiwi communities and it’s great that people are willing to do their bit to help battle what is a very serious epidemic.

“Hopefully get a great turnout.”

About David Letele

David Letele is living, breathing proof that obesity can be overcome – and an inspiration to thousands of Kiwis.

Once weighing in at 210 kilograms, Letele now weighs less than half of that. He achieved his transformation purely through hard work and dedication to his goal of turning his life around. He now works tirelessly to motivate others dealing with the challenges of obesity. His private facebook group has over 11,000 members, many of whom have achieved life-changing levels of weight loss and improved cardiovascular fitness.

David is currently working with social service providers and funders across Auckland to deliver his highly effective pilot programme to improve the health outcomes for morbidly obese people in South Auckland.

BBM’s leadership team deliver free bootcamps across Auckland almost every day of the week, providing inspiration and support to thousands of Kiwis.

Support for the World’s Biggest Boot Camp

Keven Mealamu, Former Blues and All Blacks hooker
Dave has been such an inspiration to our wider community, leading not only through his personal experience but also his help and energy to help others through their journeys and making positive impacts to people from all walks of life.

Duncan Garner, broadcaster
Don't miss the biggest boot camp on earth. Honestly, once you've been to see Dave at one of his bootcamps you'll struggle to stay away... full throttle energy, no one is left behind; your mind, body and soul will be turned upside down, in the best way possible. See you there.'

Ruben Wiki, former Kiwis captain
I have followed Dave for a while now and what his journey has entailed from Rock Bottom to one of the Most influential people in our community. What he has done for our everyday people has been amazing, whether it be advice on health and well-being, nutritional tips and someone to listen to. The initiative he is putting forward is amazing and I support this awesome concept.

Monty Betham, former Warriors captain and pro boxer
The most impressive thing about Dave is his consistency. He stays consistent in himself and provides a truly impressive example for others. The World’s Biggest Boot Camp is a great way for Dave to reach people who will benefit from hearing inspiring and uplifting message.

About the World’s Biggest Boot Camp
Where: Eden Park
When: Sunday, February 24, gates open at 10.00am for an 11.00am start
Who: Up to 20,000 Kiwis on the Eden Park pitch
What: A free ‘boot camp’ exercise set feature a world record attempt for most people performing a simultaneous frog squat.
How to be a part of it: Visit www.facebook.com/brownbuttabean/ click on the event page and confirm your attendance - or simply turn up on the day. It’s as easy as that.

About Eden Park
Eden Park is New Zealand’s national stadium and a globally-iconic arena, located in central Auckland.

Eden Park Trust operates as a statutory not-for-profit body corporate, registered as a charitable trust with the Charities Commission. Its objectives are to promote, operate and develop Eden Park as a high-quality multi-purpose stadium for the use and benefit of rugby and cricket as well as other sporting codes and other recreational, musical, and cultural events for the benefit of the public of the Auckland region.

Its rich history and profile is unmatched by any other stadium in the country. From its beginnings as a cricket ground in 1903, Eden Park became the primary venue for major summer and winter sport in Auckland when in 1913, the owner, Auckland Cricket, leased winter use of the ground to Auckland Rugby.

A Deed of Trust establishing Auckland Cricket and Auckland Rugby as the beneficial owners of Eden Park was signed in 1926 and has since been enshrined in legislation. Most notably remembered for hosting the 1987 and 2011 Rugby World Cup Finals, Eden Park remains the home of both Auckland Cricket and Auckland Rugby as it has been for more than a century.

Each year, more than half a million sports and entertainment fans from around the world visit Eden Park. The stadium successfully hosts sell-out crowds of up to 50,000 on match days and hosts more than 1,000 non-match day functions per year.


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