Often seen lightheartedly mocking his TV partner Charles Barkley on "Inside The NBA," it appears that NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal was always destined to fall into the media in his post-playing days. However, that's not how it originally appeared for the legendary center. After he spent almost every day of his 19 years playing, watching, studying, and preparing for all things basketball, the four-time NBA champion faced what many athletes do after retirement: significant uncertainty.
Shaq on feeling 'lost'
After his stint with the Miami Heat, one that saw him capture his fourth NBA championship alongside ascending superstar guard Dwyane Wade , O'Neal became a confused journeyman.
Physically, he didn't look nearly like that nimble and agile 7-footer that could run up and down the hardwood at a terrifying speed, which led him down the path of suiting up for multiple teams at the end of his career. While many will argue that the big man should have retired after his time with the Heat, Shaq couldn't find his exit from the game — and it's clear why.
"I was lost because I had planned to retire two years after I retired. So I wasn't really prepared," he said in an interview with PEOPLE.
The 2010 season spelled the end for O'Neal, who was with the Boston Celtics at the time in pursuit of another championship. For the first time in his storied career, "The Diesel" averaged under double-digits in points and played in only 20.3 minutes per game.
Although his next chapter may have been largely undecided and even intimidating to consider at the time, Shaq found a unique path to follow.
The solution to his problem
Unlike what he likely feared, it didn't take long for the former NBA All-Star to find his footing outside of basketball. He retired from the league in June 2011 and signed with Turner Sports a month later to join Inside The NBA.
But segwaying to television wasn't going to be the only next phase for O'Neal; he found an enjoyable pastime elsewhere.
"I went to this concert, and I got the same feeling again. I was like, 'You know what? I used to do this. Lemme see if I can pick it up again.' So yeah, it's fun, but it only lasts an hour and a half," he said.
"I started DJ-ing because it gives me the same adrenaline boost that a championship game would give me."
That's about the most "Shaq" hobby to get into. It always felt that the former big man's fun personality and booming aura would lead him into the spotlight even after he left the NBA. He's evolved into a social media star with nearly 16 million X followers and another 35 million on Instagram.
Over a decade since calling it a career, the Orlando Magic icon has been more successful in retirement than most former athletes.
Related: Shaquille O’Neal reveals how a message from his father made him turn pro in 1992
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