While his stroke was extremely serious, McOnie recognises that the effects from it could have been much worse.
"Luckily, I didn't have any major loss of brain function. The biggest problem I have is [my] memory - it's not the best."
McOnie runs his own business as a mortician, and says the job has made him "acutely aware of limited life spans". In spite of that, as the volume of work became overwhelming, McOnie worked harder and harder to keep up.
"I only had one staff member and did a lot of the work myself. I was often working 24 hours straight, 30-odd hours straight. And because of that I would often eat whatever was available - typically takeaways - and sleep whenever I slept. In the lead-up to my stroke, my wife said I'd been up for close to three days."
That lifestyle led to inevitable weight gain. McOnie estimates he put on 40kg in the period he had been inactive. At the time of his stroke he was about 130kg. He's down to 120kg now, but wants to drop down below 90kg. It's admirable goal, but he realises he's in for a long battle.
"All that weight didn't go on overnight, and getting it off isn't going to be an overnight process either," he says.
The Waihi Nugget is a true multisport event, encompassing road cycling, mountain biking, coastal running and trail running. McOnie says he's attracted to multisport because of this variety.
"Being big doesn't hinder you as much as people think [in multisport] because so much of it is about mental fortitude. I like the changes in discipline - one minute you're kayaking, the next you're navigating up and down a track. Then you're on your mountain bike. There's lots of things happening."
McOnie is part of Team Bros Multisport, a group of like-minded people who are doing their best to stay fit and healthy in their middle years.
"A lot of us were league players and rugby players in our 20s and were pretty good. And here we are now in our 40s and 50s, adding on a few pounds and having a few health issues. This is something where we can get together, laugh together and challenge each other."
While it's a fun environment to be in, the group stays focused on its goals at all times.
"The after-match is not, 'let's go and have a beer'. [Instead] it's protein shakes and all that other weird and wonderful stuff we can't spell or pronounce," he laughs.
In addition to losing weight, McOnie says his more active lifestyle has lead to a more positive outlook on things in general.
He tries to do something physical every day, whether it's a run or a kayak or even just a burst on his rowing machine at home. It's made him more excited about life.
McOnie has begun the process of reclaiming control of his life. It's not just the regular exercise, either: he's employed more staff to help him out with his business so he can work less demanding hours.
He knows how tough it can be to make serious lifestyle changes.
"You've just got to take the first step," he says. "It's being brave enough to take [it]. I'm fortunate in that I have the backing of an awesome wife. She said, 'I didn't sign up to this to be a widow. I signed up to be your wife, so sort your shite out'," he laughs.
"She's been my biggest motivation and support."
The Waihi Nugget
When: Saturday, May 9
Course: Various options, including the Full Nugget multisport race, the Half Nugget duathlon, a 21km adventure run, and shorter run/walk distances.
Website: For more information, visit thenugget.co.nz
