Slim O’Neal? 6-Pack Shaq Slims Down, Signs New Sports Nutrition Deal

Shaquille O’Neal is a 15-time NBA All-Star, and 4x NBA Champion turned entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, and sports analyst. He earned $292 million on the court and was one of the highest-paid athletes of his time.

Since then, O’Neal has sold over 400 million pairs of his trademarked Dunkman sneakers and has several TV shows, dozens of restaurants, countless endorsements, and more. Now, when’s he’s not bringing in millions; he’s giving them away.

O’Neal, a Ph.D. in Leadership and Education, donated $10 million worth of school supplies across the country through his Shaquille O’Neal Foundation in concert with the Boys & Girls Club. He frequented one as a kid growing up in Newark, NJ.

But O’Neal’s bank account hasn’t been the only thing growing. So has his belly, according to commenters on social media. So, now health and fitness are a priority for O’Neal.

Watch my full Shaq interview below.

“[I’ve read comments like] ‘Shaq is getting fat.’ I’m getting bigger than Barkley!” O’Neal quipped. “But criticism doesn’t hurt me. It’s motivation. I don’t get sensitive.”

“The society we live in, people are way more sensitive than ever. But I always take comments, read them, and if there’s a tiny ounce of truth in them, I’ll shut you up. I use it as motivation,” O’Neal said.

“I don’t get sensitive. When you say something, I can stop time and see any truth. I was getting fat. I was getting chubby. So I started working out.” The change happened in concert with a new business partnership–naturally.

O’Neal is now a brand ambassador for sports nutrition brand Novex Biotech. According to a Novex Biotech press release, he will be in their marketing, advertising, and now has a “Shaq Pack” supplement stack for sale via the company.

“That’s when I got with this GF-9 thing, and it’s really working, boosting my energy, and doing me well,” O’Neal said.

“But I’m a creature of habit. So if I smell them McDonald’s fries, it’s over. But I’m not going to keep eating that to where my stomach is over my belt. Ever.”

O’Neal doesn’t have bodybuilding ambitions, though. At least not yet. “If I can get that bodybuilder discipline, I’d be shredded. And I’ll get there.”

I don’t doubt it. If past performance is any indicator of O’Neal’s future progress, he’ll likely be an IFBB Pro this time next year.