Shaquille O’Neal has won many victories in his remarkable career. The NBA legend is a 4-time champion, 15-time All-Star, has released several platinum rap albums, amassed a lucrative business portfolio, and DJs the biggest clubs across the globe. But his greatest victory is winning the battle for his health.
After retiring from the NBA in 2011, he was diagnosed with moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. For years, O’Neal dismissed his symptoms as a consequence of his 19-year NBA career and his massive 7-foot-1 frame. When he discovered his condition, O’ Neal committed to a new lifestyle, which included treating his OSA with Zepbound and sticking to his workout routine.
The Root spoke with O’Neal about his new focus on his health, how taking Zepbound changed his life, raising awareness of sleep apnea among Black men, and covering the NBA Finals for the first time.
During his health journey, O’Neal admitted that he believed he could power through his condition just like he did with his injuries as one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. But after health scares, O’Neal knew he had to take some serious steps to get his health under control.
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“In 2011, I was diagnosed with moderate to severe OSA, which is a chronic condition where the throat muscle relaxes during sleep, and the airways become partially, sometimes fully, blocked, and it causes breathing to be interrupted. When they told me I had, I didn’t know what it was,” O’Neal said. “I was going through a lot of daytime tiredness and fatigue, and I wasn’t able to focus. Then I saw that this affects approximately 24 million people, especially those who struggle with obesity.”
Initially, O’Neal said that he struggled with traditional CPAP therapy, but discovering Zepbound helped him treat his OSA, and he believes it saved his life. Along with taking his medication, he made several lifestyle changes because he said that he “wants to be around for his family.”
”For whatever reason, I could not get down with that CPAP machine. But it was fascinating to me that Zepbound is the first and only prescription medicine for people who have moderate to severe OSA, which can be used, so I jumped on it,” O’Neal explained. “Along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, it really helped me out.”
“I think people should definitely get with their physicians and see if it’s right for them. The results vary from person to person, but I’m good now and getting better,” he continued. “Sleep apnea is something that people should not ignore. I was gasping for air at night, and I would always wake up tired. I had to make a change.”
O’Neal also shared that he hoped that Black men would get tested for sleep apnea and that most men have a misconception about the condition. He urged them to be proactive about sleep apnea and their health in general.
”Sometimes, we Black men don’t go to doctors as we should because we think we can get through anything. But that’s not a good strategy,” said O’Neal. “If left untreated, there are a lot of bad things that can happen, such as fatigue, irritability, lack of concentration, memory problems, or even death.”
O’Neal said that he will put his name behind a product that he truly believes in. With Zepbound, he said it’s been a “game-changer” and hopes that many more people can benefit from the medication.
“I’m a guy who enjoys life, and I want to help people. If I find something that’s helped me, and I know it can help a lot of other people, I want to be at the forefront of that,” said O’Neal. “That’s why I partnered with the Lily Company and endorsed Zepbound. It’s really working for me.”
Along with his health journey, O’Neal and his “Inside the NBA “co-hosts, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, and Kenny Smith, are covering the NBA Finals for the first time. In his 15 years on the show, O’Neal described his time so far as “fun” and “ exciting” as he gives commentary on the Finals.
“It’s been a well-played series, and I actually want it to go to seven games,” O’Neal said. “This is some really good basketball. Some people are talking about the officiating because it’s physical out there, and that’s how the game’s supposed to be played.”
He then shared his perspective on why having a “championship mentality” is critical to getting to the pinnacle of the NBA.
“If you want to be a champion, you have to do whatever it takes to get that gold ball. I actually hate people who want to win by “tactics.” It just shows you how soft you really are,” he said.
“When I was complaining about not getting foul calls in the playoffs, Phil Jackson put his hand on my shoulders and said, ‘Champions don’t complain,” O’Neal recalled. “If you want to win, you gotta make it happen.”
