?Dad Is Too Big to Play?: After Severe Obesity Struggles, 50 Pounds Lighter Charles Barkley Draws Inspiration from Army Veteran

NBA legend Charles Barkley has seldom shied away from candidly speaking about his struggles with obesity. Despite being one of the most iconic players of his day, the 1993 MVP has often struggled to remain fit. Barkley’s fitness deteriorated further when he retired from the game, on the back of his eating habits and post-retirement inactivity. However, the Chuckster conquered his indolence to strive for his weight-loss goals and recently lost 50 pounds. Sir Charles has now revealed a huge inspiration behind his weight loss journey.

Charles Barkley owes a lot to his doctor and the NBA veteran, Moses Malone, for finding the motivation to work out. However, an army veteran had interestingly motivated Barkley to stay fit, despite the two not knowing each other.

Charles Barkley opens up about finding fitness motivation from an army veteran

In a recent episode of?The Steam Room?podcast, Charles Barkley revealed the interesting story of a former army veteran who inspired him in his fitness journey. Barkley told Ernie Johnson that he read a story about the experience of an army veteran named David Murphy.

As told by Barkley, Murphy had PTSD, perhaps from his experiences in the military. Apparently, the veteran failed to find the motivation to work out, and had put on a lot of weight.

The weight-gain troubled the veteran so much that he could not even play with his daughter.?“He[David Murphy] said his daughter asked him to play one day, and he said, ‘You know dad is too big to play‘. And he said he went and cried. And this dude has lost 170 pounds,” Charles Barkley revealed.

He added that this tale from David Murphy’s life had inspired him very much. “He[David Murphy] says, ‘Yeah my daughter asked me to workout or go play with her, and I couldn’t play with her.’ He says he’s lost 170 pounds and he just inspired me. I just want to say David Murphy, thank you for being a veteran first and foremost, but man…that’s awesome,” Barkley added.

Incidentally, Barkley is also the father of a wonderful daughter, Christiana Barkley. That’s probably why Murphy’s story resonated with him so much.

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The ones that inspired Charles Barkley to lose weight

Charles Barkley’s struggles with weight-gains started way before he retired from the league. While he was an active player, Barkley idolized Moses Malone. However, his role model once gave Barkley a stringent reality check, which even prompted him to cry. During his initial days with the Philadelphia 76ers, Sir Charles did not get too many chances to play. Barkley went to his model and the 76ers superstar Moses Malone to ask why he was not given so many chances. Malone crudely said Barkley was fat and lazy, and that is why he is not getting to play. Though those words hurt Barkley first, he turned the rebuke into motivation and painstakingly worked out to become what he became.

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After retiring from the hardwood, it was his doctor who set things straight for the Chuckster, who was putting up weight. Being a ballplayer, Sir Charles had worked out his whole life. After retiring, Barkley wanted to take it easy. However, his doctor told Barkley it was unwise of him to not workout. Barkley held his doctors advice in high regard and kick-started his 50-pound weight loss journey.