Leslie Watson, middle, climbs up Mauao for his 200th time. Photo/George Novak
Leslie Watson, middle, climbs up Mauao for his 200th time. Photo/George Novak
Two hundred days ago, Les Watson weighed 209kg.
On March 30, he set himself a challenge to walk up Mauao 50 times to lose weight and gain better wellbeing.
One hundred and fifty days later, he blew that goal out of the water when he reached the top for the 200th time on Monday.
"I feel awesome," Leslie said.
Congratulations, hugs, and pats on the back were offered by the small group of friends and whānau who walked alongside him - as well as from strangers who had seen him make the hard slog to the summit in the past 200 days.
But the longest embrace was with his mother, Ruahine Watson, who had made every step to the top next to her son on the 4WD track.
Ruahine had not been up Mauao with her son in three decades until she joined him on his 100th time to the top - Monday was her third time to the top with her son.
"For me to walk beside her coming up was special," Leslie said.
"She is my rock, she is my maunga as well. For her to do it with all her ailments as well there is just is no excuses. It's just putting one foot in front of the other."
Leslie hugs his mother Ruahine Watson at Mauao's summit. Photo/Zoe Hunter
Life had changed "a lot" for Leslie since he first started his 200 hīkoi up Mauao.
"My mind is a lot clearer. I feel amazing, like I can do anything and achieve anything," he said.
"A lot of people didn't think I could do it. They thought I was just a fly-by-nighter, but I am still going strong and they take their hat off to me when they see me."
The last time Leslie weighed himself he had lost about 40kg, but he wasn't fazed by the numbers.
"As long as I am feeling good and it is coming off, which it is," he said. "I've still got a way to go but I'll get there."
Leslie felt proud he had inspired others to set goals for themselves.
"It is just for general wellbeing, not only physically but mentally as well," he said.
"A lot of people come up here and when they get up here it is relief straight away. It just frees them, frees a lot of people."
"I just love how different it is, every day I come up it is different, it is never the same rain, hail or shine."
Leslie does not intend to stop anytime soon, planning to make it to his 250th, 300th, 350th climb.
Nothing will stand in his way – he has a wānanga [conference] to attend over three days in November but he planned to organise a boat back for his hīkoi.
"I am so proud of him," his mother said. "He has come a long way not only in his body but spiritually. He is an inspiration to all of us as everyone is to him."
