Shaquille O'Neal revealed how he changed his diet to save his life: “When they tell you the word death...”

Shaquille O'Neal was able to make history and dominate the NBA with his impressive physique by winning four rings (2000, 2001, 2002 and 2006) and being named MVP of the league. After moving away from the courts, his physique stopped being the same and began to bring complications to his health.

In dialogue with GQ magazine, the brand new Oscar winner with Stephen Curry shared details of his radical personal change after seeing a doctor after 11 years. “When you get hit with that three-letter word that starts with D and ends with E, it changes things,” he began his story alluding to the word DIE, dying in English.

Orlando Magic's No. 1 pick in the 1992 Draft explained what his new turrita looks like to defeat the “belly of Charles Barkley”, who will also shine in the US tournament and with whom he currently shares a television studio.

“I would wake up and go to work. I would relax, eat anything. I wasn't paying attention. I looked down one day and said, 'Damn it. My belly was way above my belt, '” he recalled. According to him, Shaq does not now possess “Charles Barkley Belt Syndrome”. “I'm getting really good. I'm getting to the point where I'm going to change my mind and turn the knob to total discipline,” he said.

That visit to a specialist was key to getting his mind to click. “When you play you go to the doctor to get checked and given a physical exam, right? But I haven't played in 11 years, so if I don't play, why would I go to the doctor, right? So when I went back to the doctor, there were some things I didn't even know. They say, 'Hey, you have sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can cause hypertension or strokes, you could die. ' 'I said, “What, could I die?” . So now I have to sleep with a machine.”

“Your kidneys are a little weak from all the painkillers you're taking. No more painkillers. He depended on painkillers, although he wasn't addicted. Certain days when I couldn't move, I just took one or two, just to get going. But I'm out of it now. I really had to get a checkup. When you get hit with that three-letter word that starts with D and ends with E, everything changes,” he remarked.

His routine now consists of “a healthy breakfast, with fruit and fruit and fruit. Then chicken and fish. I have a healthy breakfast, just to sustain myself during the day. Three turkey sausages and about four or five egg whites. Food two is going to be some fruit. The third meal will be a smoothie and fruit. Meal four will probably be a light salad and then meal five will be chicken, fish or steak.”

O'Neal clarified that “the problem is when I'm on tour and I can't get to that. I'm a creature of habit: I love sandwiches. I love wraps, I love burgers.”

The diet is complemented by a workout routine. “Just cardio, 30-40 minutes. Then chest, arms, biceps, triceps. A simple old man's training. I can't do all that CrossFit stuff,” he laughed.

To close, Shaquille O'Neal left a message to everyone who is looking to start a healthier path: “I tell you to imagine what you want to look like. Then get all the necessary information, that you really understand and concentrate. It's all about diet. Because even now, if I do 500 sit-ups a day, my six-pack (abs) is not the way I want it, because it's all about diet. So diet, preparation, focus and belief. You just have to stick to your routine. That's all.”

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