At this low point he reconnected with former Selwyn College classmate and friend Dave Higgins, boss of the boxing promoters behind Joseph Parker, Duco Events, who encouraged him to take stock of his life.
Mr Letele took up boxing - his professional persona was Brown Buttabean - and as his fitness rose his weight dropped by 90kg.
His fight appearances garnered headlines, 16,000 Facebook followers and he was in demand as an inspiration to others battling weight and unhealthy lifestyles.
Robbie and his wife Michelle offered Mr Letele sponsorship "more for the man than the boxer", Mr Gale said.
"We really felt that what Dave is doing for others through his own his determination was worthy of support," he said.
Mr Letele said the initial sponsorship from Russell Roads was a "godsend" initially as he had "only $20 to my name", while the ongoing sponsorship helped him achieve success over the past two years, he told more than 70 Russell Roads employees.
In 2015 he launched buttabeanmotivation.co.nz and an app providing inspiration and "no excuses" guidance.
The exercise regime he promotes is based around using own body weight, "rather than fancy gym equipment".
Most of his clients are from struggling Pacific Island families where obesity is a problem so his programme is attracting public funding.
He is now a motivational speaker while training up to 500 people weekly, also supplying diet programmes and support groups.
He said there were times when life was tough but through hard work "anything is possible".
