“Couldn’t even walk up the stairs” —  Shaquille O’Neal confessed about his weight issues. Last year, the 4x champion also underwent a strict diet and routine workout to tackle the challenge, following medical intervention. But it has been quite a few months to that now and Shaq is seemingly eyeing to get back in shape. And Charles Barkley’s ways, who is supposedly on the same journey, don’t look like the right ally for him. So Shaq resorted to asking a 62-year-old former boxing champ instead.

On the latest episode of Big Podcast, the 4x champion couldn’t help but admire the fitness of Evander Holyfield. He got straight to the point, asking Holyfield the secret to staying in shape. His answer? A mix of workouts and vitamins. Now, having lost 55 pounds already after his aforementioned weight issues, it seems Big Diesel is ready to further elevate his lifestyle into the category he can call healthy.

So when Alonzo Mourning, last month, suggested O’Neal to move to a healthier diet, the big guy agreed. “Tell me something you want me to stop doing it, and I will stop doing it.” Seemingly motivated from this very instance, it’s no wonder the 4x NBA champ wanted in on the vitamins mentioned by Holyfield in the recent episode of his The Big Podcast. But, of course, Shaq being Shaq, couldn’t resist taking a playful jab at his Inside the NBA co-host, Charles Barkley.

“Cause I don’t wanna end up looking like your good friend Charles Barkley. Charles Barkley is the only guy taking a fat dr-g and getting fatter,” O’Neal hilariously said on the show. That’s all some friendly jibe, but the truth behind Barkley’s health journey deserves a closer look.

The former Philadelphia 76ers star has been open about his weight-loss efforts, crediting the medication Mounjaro for his progress. Originally designed for diabetes management, Mounjaro has become a popular tool for weight loss, with Barkley joining a growing list. This also includes names like Elon Musk and Chelsea Handler, who have turned to similar medications like Ozempic, as per an article by HealthLine.

Earlier this year, Barkley shared some surprising numbers during an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show. He revealed that since January, his weight had dropped from 352 pounds to around 290 pounds by May. “At some point, I’ve got to get off the dr-g, but I feel so good physically. I’ve got to make sure I don’t get fat again. You don’t even realize how crappy you feel until you start losing weight,” he admitted.

Still, some fans might worry about the speed of his transformation. Physician-nutrition specialist Dr. Michelle Pearlman, however, provided some clarity in HealthLine, reassuring that significant weight loss isn’t always unhealthy.

For someone with Barkley’s starting weight, she explained, it may not be as drastic as it sounds. Funny, though, how Shaq completely disregarded any effect of the said medication on Barkley. This, however, was not the first instance when the former LA Lakers star mocked his Inside the NBA co-host this way.

Shaquille O’Neal terms himself as Ozempic FBI while teasing Charles Barkley

Shaq and Chuck’s hilarious exchanges never fail to keep fans entertained, and their latest antics on Inside the NBA were no exception. When Jalen Rose casually asked O’Neal about his diet, O’Neal proudly clarified that he drinks low-fat milk. Barkley, ever the jokester, couldn’t resist and quipped, “You already got the fat cut.”

But Shaq wasn’t about to let that slide. With his signature humor, he shot back, “Ozempic’s still looking for your ass! Ozempic FBI, he’s right here!” Similarly, earlier on November 20, Big Diesel took to social media posting a video for the viral suspect challenge.

He hilariously dubbed Barkley a suspect for Ozempic’s struggles. Barkley’s comeback? “Mounjaro, fool!” Clearly, all these jokes around weight issues and medications are all in good humor between Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley. A perfect blend of jokes and friendship, keeping us all thoroughly entertained.