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| Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest shooting guards in NBA history. Nowadays, the 13-time NBA All-Star is still on top of his physical and mental health game. Keep reading to learn how he manages his well-being on and off the court. |
| *This interview has been edited for length and clarity. |
| Q: | When you played in the NBA, you endured immense pressure from the media, fans, and coaches. How did you keep your stress in check? | |
| A: I try to confide in people I trust, people that I'm close to. Opening up to people like that really helps you get it out. Basketball was an outlet where I could channel any mental stress into my game. I was a madman when I channeled my stress into my game. I knew how to put it in the right place, but basketball was an outlet. |
| Q: | Did you ever use any techniques to stay calm and focused at the free throw line? | |
| A: The whole game is so fast with constant movement, but the free throw is one of the few times in the game that everything stops. Free throws are one of the most important parts of the game. |
| For me, it was always about taking a deep breath, calming myself down, and getting my anxiety in check. I always took a few deep breaths to reset myself. From there, I'd mentally take myself to my practice because I've watched myself make free throws over and over for all my life. The hours that I put in the gym, the late nights — I allowed my mind to go to that moment and take myself out of the arena, because you hear and see everything that's going on behind you. |
| You have to be able to have a place to go, and I'd go back to my work. |
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| Q: | What does your injury recovery journey look like? How do you balance your fitness routine while healing and taking care of injuries? | |
| A: Once you've been playing for a while, you're searching for every little edge, every little thing that can help you. I did it all to help me get my edge –– dry needling, acupuncture, yoga, Pilates, whatever I could. |
| I think the cool thing about the world we live in, especially now, is that the information is out there. You just have to open your eyes and ears and go find it. |
| Q: | You recently partnered with supplement company Thorne on their Build to Last campaign. Can you share what this is and what inspired you to join the partnership? | |
| A: Build to Last –– it's a mantra. It's like, "Hey, level up, push boundaries, aim higher." It also shows how the mantra works in your daily life. I embody this mantra; I live it daily and I'm also learning as I grow. |
| We all should build ourselves physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally so we can last. Whether you're lasting through the day or until [you're] 100 years old, we have to build it. It's a daily process. Thorne is a part of that daily process in my life. |
| Q: | You're a vocal advocate and supporter of the transgender community, especially since trans rights are important to you and your family. What do you wish more people knew about the importance of accepting and supporting people and how doing so relates to their overall well-being? | |
| A: Every community of individuals, we all want to be seen, supported, loved, and protected. So, if those are some of the pillars that you want, why wouldn't you want that for others? |
| We all fight for position over here. It's tough for me as a Black man to be in a Black community and know all the things that we deal with. and what we go through. But then to see us shining and looking down on another community, the trans community … Why do that? |
| I don't subscribe to that. I'm all about "do you, be you." Be nice to people. Be gracious. We have a short time on this earth. [The] impact that you make is not just about you, it has to be bigger than you. I'm thankful that I've been blessed enough to be a part of multiple communities where I can make an impact. |
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