Whangārei’s BBM lifestyle course helps residents regain health and confidence

Wiremu Thompson, Sandra Manu and Eliza Mackay have all improved their health, confidence and knowledge with the Buttabean Motivation (BBM) From the Couch course. Photo / Denise Piper

A lifestyle programme new to Whangārei is already helping participants turn around diabetes diagnoses, avoid the need for medication and gain confidence. Northern Advocate reporter Denise Piper speaks with participants of the first Buttabean Motivation (BBM) From the Couch course, to learn about its success.

Sandra Manu, 72, says the hardest part of joining BBM’s From the Couch was walking through the doors for the first time.

The free 12-week lifestyle support programme, created by “Brown Buttabean” Dave Letele, motivates participants in fitness and nutrition.

Each of the 25 to 30 cohort participants have at least two long-term health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar or high cholesterol, and must commit to attending three times a week.

Since June 2025, the programme has been running at CrossFit Whangārei — the first time it has been offered outside Auckland, says Letele.

Manu wanted to join after being hospitalised in 2025 with heart issues and being told she would need statins if she didn’t lower her cholesterol.

“That was quite confronting. I went through my life thinking I was 10-foot tall and bulletproof and suddenly, somebody was telling me I’m not.”

But she admits walking through the CrossFit doors was so daunting, she sat outside several times before entering. On her first day, a coach walked her over to the group of equally nervous participants.

“I knew that I was going to have to do it. It was ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’.”

The programme includes clinical support from Mahitahi Hauora nurses, who check vitals like blood pressure.

Two sessions a week focus on exercise, while a third covers nutrition.

Manu says changing her mindset was the biggest challenge, including learning portion control and eating breakfast for the first time.

Wiremu Thompson (left), Eliza Mackay and Sandra Manu say they are on their wellbeing journeys now and sometimes taking the first step is the hardest part. Photo / Denise Piper

The group’s support was crucial: “There were lots of high-fives [to start with], now it’s a hug because we just all belong together.”

Manu’s blood sugar has dropped from pre-diabetic to normal, her cholesterol is dropping and she has lost weight. On non-gym days, she bikes and walks.

She says her transformation has been huge and encourages others to take that first step.

Improving mental and physical health motivation

Ruakākā resident Eliza Mackay, 27, joined From the Couch to tackle depression and social anxiety.

Volunteering for this interview shows her progress: “I just pushed myself to do it – to get out there and better myself mentally and physically.”

Mackay says one of the hardest parts was sharing her highlights and lowlights in front of the group for the weekly “peak and pit” session but she quickly made friends.

The programme also helped her health.

Programmes by Buttabean Motivation (BBM) in Auckland have been legendary, helping people lose hundreds of kilograms. Photo / NZME

With a family history of type II diabetes, Mackay became worried when she was diagnosed as pre-diabetic, especially as she wants to have children.

“I thought, ‘do I really want this for myself, being 27? Do I want this to affect my future or my children’s future?’”

Now she is no longer pre-diabetic and her blood pressure has improved.

Mackay also started volunteering with people with disabilities, after making friends with a participant who is paraplegic. She hopes it could lead to employment, after being made redundant a year ago.

“I just feel like this has been a massive change in my life.”

‘The highlight is having a lot more energy’

Wiremu Thompson, 31, joined From the Couch to keep up with his active 9-year-old daughter, who loves rugby.

His health was also a concern: “My bloods were pretty shocking at the beginning. My blood pressure was always quite high and I was diabetic which is really, really bad.”

The "Brown Buttabean" Dave Letele says he hopes one day programmes like From the Couch are not needed because people have the knowledge they need to be healthy. Photo / NZME

Staying motivated was tough, especially after a close participant died from heart problems.

But sticking with it paid off, he says.

“The highlight for me is having a lot more energy – being able to do a whole day at work [as a diesel mechanic] and come home not tired. I can come home and spend time with my daughter, take her for a bike ride.”

Thompson is no longer diabetic and has made other improvements. He admits there is more to do but says he is on the right track.

Northland has high demand for these programmes, Letele says

Letele says he brought From the Couch to Whangārei due to demand from the Northland community.

CrossFit Whangārei head coach Summer Pocklington and her team were the right fit and close enough to Auckland for BBM support.

“The dream is that there’s no need for programmes like this,” Letele says.

“It’s more than just exercise, it’s education, nutrition, mindfulness. It’s breaking the cycle with children being empowered by their parents.”

Until then, From the Couch will continue in Whangārei, with the next cohort starting February 2.

Pocklington says participants usually begin with low confidence, but the coaching team supports them through their health challenges.

“This is not a weight loss challenge, it’s a lifestyle programme. We’re there to give them tools to put into their kete to help them with their hauora journey and just remind them it’s possible.”

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.