WHAT WORKS FOR ME THE BIG MAN IS BACK

For four-time NBA champ Shaquille O’Neal, tragedy marked 2020 in ways that would bulldoze the average man. And while personal loss took a toll, he persevered with trademark positivity. Here’s how he strengthened his outlook—and his physique.

- JACK HAWORTH

Manage Misfortune

My sister passed away before Kobe, then I had 28 other people pass away; 2020 was a really bad year. When you don’t want to do anything, but need to stay out of trouble, there are two things you can do: Netf lix and eat. With everything going on, I couldn’t sleep. I’d wake up at 3 a.m. and make a sandwich, then 5 a.m. and make a sandwich. But I was starting to look old, and didn’t want to.

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