Shaquille O'Neal shared how his work as DJ Diesel helped him cope with his retirement from the NBA.
In an interview with People, the 52-year-old former NBA star, who played for six teams over his 19-year career, revealed that DJing gives him the same rush he used to get from playing professional basketball.
"I started DJing because it gives me the same adrenaline boost that a championship game would give me," he said. "I was lost because I had planned to retire two years after I retired. So I wasn't really prepared."
Shaq began his NBA career with the Orlando Magic in 1992 and ended it with the Boston Celtics in the 2010-2011 season.
"I've been playing since I was 14 years old and always had that step into the arena feeling of the game," he continued. "I always had that hour and a half or so. And when I stopped playing, I didn't have that."
He rediscovered his passion for DJing after attending a concert and remembering that he used to DJ when he was younger.
"I went to this concert and felt that same excitement again. I thought, 'You know what? I used to do this. Let me see if I can pick it up again,'" he recalled. "It's fun, but it only lasts about an hour and a half."
Shaq plans to keep performing as DJ Diesel for at least another "10, 20 years," but he’s not worried if he doesn’t reach that goal. "I had fun doing it and doing it my way," he added.
Shaq has kept himself busy following his exit from the NBA, perhaps most notably as an NBA analyst on Inside the NBA. He's also dabbled in acting, something he started with the William Friedkin-directed Blue Chips in 1994.
"One of my motto’s is ‘It could be worse.’ I haven't played professional basketball in 20 years, but yet I'm still working and my schedule is full. I'm thankful for that," he told People.