If anyone had told Dallas Adams back in 2014 of the changes he would experience over the next few years he would never have believed them.
But, sparked by the drowning of his dad at Pourerere in a diving tragedy on the Central Hawke's Bay coast a month before Christmas that year, he's graduated rapidly from the life he calls "adversity" to become a prominent leader of young Maori and on Saturday, four days short of his 34th birthday, a finisher in the Great Wall of China Marathon.
But it's hardly all about him, for dragging behind are a number others inspired by the determination, and putting behind themselves their own drags in life, such as alcohol and drugs.
"This kaupapa epitomises transformational change," he told Hawke's Bay Today after taking part in the marathon as part of the Influence Crew, the brainchild of trainer and Auckland-based former Hawke's Bay man Doug Healey.
Personally, it's the latest step in a change which dates back to the tangi for father Ed Adams in November 2014, when he whispered in his ear: "I'll make you proud."
"Influence Crew goes with the saying 'No one gets left behind," he said "Basically we all look out for one another throughout our training over the last 12 months, right up to the big day participating in marathons from all over the world."
The Great Wall Marathon is regarded as one of the toughest, with high altitudes and soaring heat temperatures, and a history of athletes hospitalised from collapsing, exhaustion and heat stroke.
"Doing this marathon has taught me a lot in terms of working as a team player," said Adams, who had mum Mareiana Te Ahuru along.
He jokes that was for the Mother's Day present, but concedes it was she who was always into fitness and "hooked me into it". Mum also completed the half-marathon.
"Doing the hard yards training every week up and down Te Mata Peak, as well as stepping right out of my comfort zone and forming a new family bond with the Influence Crew.
"A lot of people have followed my journey leading up to the marathon and now they are inspired to do something extraordinary like this," he said.
"This marathon was by far the most hardest and challenging experience I've ever done, but now I've got a medal and, for once in my life, I feel like I totally deserved it," he said. "I said I'll do my dad proud and I'm sure he's smiling down at me from heaven."
Along the way he's embarked on a BA in Maori studies which he completes this year at the EIT in Napier, he's been elected to the student board and become its president, he's on the national executive of the New Zealand Union of Students Association, and he's become chairman of the Hawke's Bay District Health Board's Youth Consumer Council.