When Talei Bryant set out to change her health and fitness, her goal was to be able to walk and jump without pain in her knees.

Now, after losing 76 kilograms, returning to the volleyball court and running every day for more than nine months, she is looking ahead to her next challenge - a half marathon.

Bryant said her fitness journey had been shaped by years of struggling with her weight and serious knee injuries.

In 2020, she ruptured her meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing rugby. The injury left her largely bedridden as her weight continued to increase.

She tried different diets and exercise routines but struggled to maintain the changes she made.

At her heaviest in August 2023, she weighed about 150kg.

A second meniscus injury and a warning from her surgeon last year became the catalyst for her to take a different approach.

“He was like: ‘Your knees are going to be absolutely stuffed within the next few years’,” she said.

“That really hit home for me and I thought, ‘OK, I'm going to do something’.”

Having previously viewed gastric sleeve surgery as a last resort, Bryant began researching other people's experiences and decided to go ahead with the procedure in Turkey in June last year.

She said the surgery had been a significant part of her weight loss, but it was not a standalone solution.

“It's not that you have the surgery and lose the weight - you have to have a plan in place for yourself,” she said.

Bryant focused on following the nutritional guidelines provided after surgery, getting her daily steps in and gradually returning to exercise.

At six weeks, she was back in the gym, and by eight weeks she was playing volleyball again.

Her knees have improved significantly, allowing her to jump and play with far fewer problems than before.

“I definitely still feel tightness, but my legs are so much stronger and there's no real issues,” she said.

Volleyball has long been a passion for Bryant, who played netball, soccer and rugby at school but always found volleyball the most enjoyable.

She has been coaching for about 12 years and, alongside friend Zara Anderson, helped establish local volleyball club Above the Net at the end of 2024.

She enjoys being part of a sport that brings people together and allows players of different fitness levels to participate.

“Some of the girls I play with now, I've been playing with since high school, so it's just been awesome,” she said.

But it is running that has become one of her biggest personal challenges.

In January this year, Bryant committed to running at least two kilometres every day. She is now more than 290 days into the streak without missing a day.

Her longest run so far was 13km, from Wairaka to Ōhope, as part of a volleyball fundraiser.

Bryant said maintaining the daily streak had become as much a mental challenge as a physical one.

“There have been times where it'll be 11pm and if I haven't done it, I'll go for a run. Often, I plan my day around my run.”

The commitment has helped her challenge the doubts she once had about her ability to make lasting changes.

“With running, I’m showing myself that I can do it,” she said.

Bryant said some of her proudest moments had been everyday milestones, including being able to sit comfortably in chairs with sides, fit clothes in shops and travel by plane without needing a seatbelt extender.

“It's not so much the numbers on the scales that matter to me,” she said.

“Every day I just want to be a little bit better.”

When travelling for work or volleyball, she uses her daily run as an opportunity to explore different places.

“I get to see so much more of these different towns and cities when I go for a run. I love it.”

Alongside her fitness goals, Bryant is chairperson of the Tāneatua Community Board, works part-time as a Project K coordinator with the Graham Dingle Foundation, supporting Trident High School students, and works part-time at the Ōhope Beach Tavern.

Her next goals are to complete the Tauranga City to Surf half marathon in November and build her strength through more gym training.

For others considering major changes to their health, Bryant recommends taking time to identify what they want to achieve and making a plan that works for them.

Her own goal was never simply about losing weight.

“I just want to be able to jump and walk without pain in my knees,” she said.

Bryant is happy to connect with anyone wanting to talk about her experience with gastric sleeve surgery. To follow her journey or get in touch, find her on Instagram at @aunty_talas_journey.