Shaquille O?Neal is considered being one of the most dominant players in the NBA. With a strong mindset and playing style, Shaq dominated the NBA throughout his career. Shaq has also been a strong-headed guy off the court.?

In a recent interview, Shaq disclosed how he avoids the dark phases in his life to get the better of him and how he fights back. Talking out of experience, the 7?1 giant faced one of the most brutal years of his life in 2019, which led him to suffer from a hazardous health issue. DJ Diesel is now living a healthy life and, like always, preaches how to be mentally and physically strong.

Shaquille O’Neal’s approach to overcoming challenges

Shaquille O’Neal talks openly about how he has managed to avoid low points in his life. He stresses looking beyond one’s personal problems and seeing the bigger picture of suffering. He reminds himself to toughen up and not become self-absorbed by channeling his father’s drill sergeant upbringing.?

?Yeah, so you know, it’s people that don’t have as much as we have, and they’re really, really suffering, and I look at myself, and I say, Am I really suffering, or are you being a brat? So stop being a brat and just mess it up. That’s just the military drill sergeant upbringing in me,? said Shaq.

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Shaq realizes that his issues are little in comparison to the struggles of others after thinking about his fortunate background and his parents’ companionship. Because of this insight, he is able to avoid being overly pessimistic.?

? I can look in the mirror and say, Shut the hell up, figure it out like like I don’t, I don’t, I don’t go below bottom because I can because I know somebody right now; listen to this that doesn’t have as much as we have,? he added.

He has low points but uses a military frame of mind to keep from spiraling out of control. Shaq’s mantra, “It could be worse,” acts as a call to action to avoid wallowing in self-pity and instead take positive action to improve one’s situation. Knowing that there are those who have it far worse motivates him to persevere.

Shaq?s battle against insomnia

Shaquille O?Neal had the worst of years in 2019. The 7?1 Los Angeles Lakers legend lost two of his closest and dearest people in a span of weeks. Shaq lost his sister, Ayesha Harrison-Jex, fighting breast cancer for years. Ayesha, who had already defeated the cancer several times, lost her life at the age of 40. And just weeks later, the news of Kobe Bryant broke out.?

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For Shaq, the pain of losing two of his best people in such a short time was immense. The regret of not being in touch with the Mamba and Ayesha could not let Shaq sleep at night.

The Basketball Hall of Famer, in a documentary, opened up about the gruesome time and said,??I don?t go to bed till 5 AM? Ever since Kobe [Bryant] and my sister died, I can?t sleep.?

Nevertheless, Shaq defeated Insomnia and is now leading a healthy life.