SHAQ REVEALS STUNNING TRUTH: “I Couldn’t Walk Up Stairs” — What Finally Made Him Change EVERYTHING

NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal is opening up about a terrifying moment that made him turn his life around. After struggling to do something as simple as climbing stairs, the Hall of Famer knew it was time for a major change. His shocking transformation has fans in disbelief — not just because of how different he looks, but the deeply personal reason behind it. What pushed Shaq to the edge… and how did he drop the weight so fast? The answer might surprise you.

Shaquile O'Neal making a speechATLANTA, GEORGIA – MAY 11: Shaquille O’Neal attends as The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation & Icy Hot unveil the latest “Comebaq Court” at Shaq’s Boys & Girls Club on May 11, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for Icy hot)
Former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal is opening up about his dramatic weight loss journey after shedding an impressive 55 pounds. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Shaq admitted he let himself go after retirement, gaining weight and developing health issues that made even simple tasks — like climbing stairs — a real challenge. Known during his playing days for coasting through some training sessions, Shaq believes he could have extended his NBA career if he had taken fitness more seriously. Still, he reached a point where he knew change was necessary. Now, he’s fully committed to living a healthier lifestyle and inspiring others to do the same.

Former NBA center Shaquille O’Neal has discussed his weight loss, having shed 55 pounds, revealing when he knew he needed to make a change.

Shaq admitted to having let himself go after he retired and put on weight which led to health issues, telling Entertainment Tonight it became a struggle to climb stairs at a certain point.

The four-time NBA champion was never one to give his all in training and could have probably played a bit longer had he kept his weight down while still in the NBA. Still, he knew when enough was enough and made the decision to live a healthier lifestyle.

“I was getting chubby and couldn’t even walk up the stairs. I didn’t like the way I looked in the mirror,” he said.

“I didn’t know what the difference was between a carb and a protein. At 50 years old, I never knew. So, he [a nutritionist] was saying you can’t do this, you can’t do that, more vegetables, my iron’s low. And once I just started changing those certain things, it dropped.”

 

Shaq, considered to be the most dominant player in the history of the NBA, won three consecutive titles alongside Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers. He would add another after teaming up with Dwyane Wade on the Miami Heat.

The Diesel retired in 2011 at the age of 39 and has been working as an analyst for TNT on ‘Inside the NBA’ ever since.