[EXCLUSIVE] JD Martinez Reveals How He Was Forced to Make Hospital Visits “Once a Week” Due to Asthma – “I Was Just a Kid”

Being a sportsman comes with a lot of pressure. For instance, remaining physically fit and maintaining a strict regimen, and imagine doing all of that while also dealing with a chronic disease. New York Mets’ JD Martinez is a living example of that situation. The 37-year-old was diagnosed with asthma as a kid and slowly learned to live with it. But that raises a question, how did Martinez become such a big star despite such a health issue holding him back? 

During an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, JD Martinez answered that question in his trademark candid self. The Mets star had joined EssentiallySports on behalf of Pfizer to promote their “This Is Your Shot” Health campaign. While clearing misconceptions about pneumonia and asthma, Martinez delved deep into his personal struggles with the latter. “My persons were the ones that dealt with it, honestly. I was just a kid,” Martinez shared.

In his conversation with EssentiallySports, JD further noted, “We were in and out of hospital for my entire Little League career. I felt like I was once a week in the hospital.” Martinez also went in-depth on how frequent asthma attacks forced him to wear the nebulizer to “calm down” his attack. Sometimes, it took a few minutes for Martinez to relax, and other times almost the whole day. Slowly, as Martinez grew up he learned how to keep his condition in control.

It was this experience with asthma that ultimately made JD Martinez partner up with Pfizer. Martinez partnered up with Pfizer to help spread the word about pneumococcal pneumonia and how asthma puts him at increased risk of contracting it. That was one of the reasons why he vaccinated himself and is now urging everyone to take a similar step. Martinez hopes that with proper knowledge fans can understand whether they’re at a similar risk or not. One can visit Pfizer’s KnowPneumonia to determine their risk level. 

As Martinez mentioned to EssentiallySports, he’s a live example of how proper treatment and care can ensure a person’s thriving personal life despite asthma. So what does the Mets star do now to make sure he’s fit and ready to go? At 37, naturally, it gets tougher to maintain fitness but Martinez manages to do it with his DTS formula.

JD Martinez reveals how meticulous planning helps him minimize asthma’s effects

During this exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Martinez also revealed the secret to his vitality. Despite nearing his forties, he’s as fit as ever, but that doesn’t come without hard work. JD Martinez noted that he follows a classic DTS formula. Which simply means: Diet, Training, and Sleep. Even during the offseason, the superstar doesn’t let go of his strict regimen, simply because a break leads to more struggles.

“I have to do stuff every day, I have to keep moving,” Martinez said. “If I don’t keep moving, everything gets still, gets stuck, and I don’t move the same.” So how well does this constant moving work for JD Martinez? The fact that Martinez was an All-Star in 2021,2022, and 2023 answers that question. However, the 2024 MLB season hasn’t been easy for the Mets star. From an injury-ridden beginning to some less-than-desirable changes to his mechanics, Martinez struggles within the Queens side. 

However, that doesn’t mean Martinez won’t be back. The star shared that whenever faced with adversity, something clicks in his head. “I’ve always thrived when people have doubted me,” Martinez said. And perhaps, that’s what he’s counting on again this season. After all, the New York Mets would hope that vintage 10-home-scoring JD Martinez shows up for them if they manage to sneak into October.