How Tobias got on song and in shape
Fifty-four kilograms didn’t just drift away.
It took 12 months of hard work and discipline for New Plymouthbased musician Caleb Haapu (Ngāti Porou), AKA Tobias.
‘‘It is the same weight as a small person, 10 more kgs and I will have lost the same weight as my partner Kendyll.’’
Haapu is the former lead singer and guitarist for Sons of Zion, whose hit song Drift Away was No 1 on the New Zealand Charts for 12 weeks and was nominated for 2018 single of the year.
He is quick to credit his incredible transformation to the trainers and his classmates at New Plymouth’s F45 gym – alongside a healthier balanced diet.
‘‘Over the past 12 years I have been humbled to have toured and experienced the highs of performing across New Zealand and the world, something I love, however, the lifestyle and burning the candle at both ends was not good for my health or my waistline.’’
At his peak, Haapu tipped the scales at 164kgs. His crisis point came one night while lying in bed next to his wife.
‘‘I was struggling to breathe, and I reflected that I was too unfit and out of shape to play outside with my kids. That night I made a decision to make a change – for my kids, for my wha¯ nau. They are the motivation for me to make this change.’’
Haapu signed up at F45, and says he’s very grateful to the trainers there, who created an ‘‘amazing environment for me to begin this fitness journey’’.
‘‘The classes are incredibly supportive and there are people in every class, at different ages, shapes and size, who are at different stages of their fitness journey, from beginners like I was, to those who have been going for years. It is a very supportive motivating environment, involving a 45-minute routine of different exercises and a mix of intervals.’’
Haapu’s experience has even inspired him to study for a personal training certificate from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, an Arizona-based training institute. ‘‘I see the support and skill when I take part in the classes, and it has inspired me to study personal training myself.’’
Haapu’s passion for personal training, however, has not diminished the talented muso’s enthusiasm for writing music and performing. On March 4 he is set to release his new single One Night.
‘‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be where I am now, and I think this is reflected in my music. Being able to run around and play with my kids, my wife Kendyll, and feeling good about myself on the stage knowing I am doing what I can to maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle, these are things which are very important to me. I am doubly blessed to have my music and career to be able to share my gratitude and to hopefully inspire others.’’
For F45 head trainer Colin McCorkindale, Haapu is an inspiration for others who want to experience better health and fitness.
‘‘He turns up every time and puts in the effort. He has great discipline and motivation. Caleb is an asset and inspiration in our classes, participating with enthusiasm from the start.
‘‘That said, I want to say Caleb’s journey and transformation here with F45 is not exceptional – however, his musical skills absolutely are!’’