Dominique Wilkins Interview
NBA Hall of Famer Dominique
Wilkins Educate the Masses about Diabetes
As the statue of NBA legend Dominique Wilkins stands tall in the main entrance of the Philips Arena, the Hall of Famer continues to stand tall and leap high with his calling to educate the masses that are affected with the disease we recognize as diabetes. Shortly after his astonishing NBA career, Wilkins was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and since then has been raising awareness in various communities. He has teamed up with the world’s leading diabetes care company, Novo Nordisk, to educate those living with diabetes about the importance of diabetes management and creating a Diabetes Dream Team. Within his countless community efforts, Wilkins also works closely with the Center for Health Transformation, JDRF, and his foundation, The Dominique Wilkins Foundation where he is active with local and national charity endeavors when it comes to health.
Aaron: If you were diagnosed with this disease while in the NBA, do you
think it would have impacted your performance? If so, what advice would you
give to athletes that currently have this disease?
Interviewed
and written by Aaron Robinson – Editor
As the statue of NBA legend Dominique Wilkins stands tall in the main entrance of the Philips Arena, the Hall of Famer continues to stand tall and leap high with his calling to educate the masses that are affected with the disease we recognize as diabetes. Shortly after his astonishing NBA career, Wilkins was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and since then has been raising awareness in various communities. He has teamed up with the world’s leading diabetes care company, Novo Nordisk, to educate those living with diabetes about the importance of diabetes management and creating a Diabetes Dream Team. Within his countless community efforts, Wilkins also works closely with the Center for Health Transformation, JDRF, and his foundation, The Dominique Wilkins Foundation where he is active with local and national charity endeavors when it comes to health.
Over
the course of Wilkins’ basketball career, he has earned infinite awards,
achievements, honors and recognitions. Still vital in the NBA, he is
a color analyst for the Atlanta Hawks games and acts as the Hawks Vice
President of Basketball, where he advises various areas of management within
the franchise.
I had
the opportunity to speak with the 9-time All-Star Dominique Wilkins while he
was headed to the American Diabetes Association’s Expo in Chicago. “The greatest
dunker of all times” shares an abundance of knowledge, helpful tips
and advice, as well as gives encouraging words for those diagnosed with
diabetes. I am honored to introduce to you the “Human Highlight Film”,
Dominique Wilkins.
Aaron Robinson: While playing in the NBA, did you receive any symptoms prior to
being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?
Dominique
Wilkins: No, it was a year
after retirement when I found out I was diabetic. When I was a player, I think
because I trained so much, it was hard to detect.
Aaron: When you became diagnosed with type 2 diabetes did you have to
make a lifestyle change or did your lifestyle basically remain the same?
Dominique: I had to make a lifestyle change. When I was playing I ate
anything I wanted, but I was always training so I just burned those calories
off and didn’t pay close attention to my diet or how my body felt. When I
retired, I wasn’t training anymore, but I was still eating the same foods – so
my doctor told me one thing, he said ‘you have to make a lifestyle change right
now’! I changed my diet, started exercising and I got on medication.
Aaron: Living with diabetes, are you still able to live a healthy,
normal and productive life?
Dominique: I put it this way, I feel better now than I did 17 years
ago. Because I made that lifestyle change. One of the things that really helped
me is my partnership with Novo Nordisk. It’s been a wonderful relationship. It
has given me a platform to talk about diabetes nationally, and to continue
talking about my own bout with diabetes. When my pill wasn’t getting me to my
goal, I worked with my doctor to find a treatment that was right for me. Now I
talk with others about understanding when certain medications are not getting
you to your goal, you need to find a
treatment plan that works for you. That’s why I am speaking at the American Diabetes Association
EXPO so that people learn about healthy options and diabetes management. One of
those healthy options can be found on our website, DiabetesDreamTeam.com, which
gives people the opportunity to learn how to build their own “Dream Team” through
diet, exercise and education.
Aaron: What are some of the factors that you stress at your lectures
that people may not know about when it comes to preventing and living with
diabetes?
Dominique: I think the thing that is most important is getting
screened, because you have to get screened to see where your health is, to see
if you are a person that is prone to diabetes or if you have an elevated sugar
level. Screenings tell you if something goes wrong and how you can fix it.
That’s the thing I stress more than anything. Secondly, when you make a
lifestyle change, that doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym and become some
muscle man (laugh). Just get yourself physically moving. People do different
things as far as physical activity to keep them healthy. You have to find out
what’s comfortable for you.
Aaron: What words of encouragement would you share with people in hopes
of battling or beating this disease?
Dominique: I give them the life experience that I went through with
my father and grandfather both dying from diabetes. I’ve seen the hardships in
a family affected by diabetes. I share my story and say
look, you don’t want this to be you, and you don’t want this to be someone in
your family. So, don’t wait for something bad to happen before you act. Be
proactive.
Dominique: I don’t know if it would have affected
my performance. I do think it’s important that everyone – athlete or not – pays
attention to their body and gets screened for diabetes. As a professional
athlete, you have access to a team of health experts and you should take
advantage of it. For others, you should talk to your doctor about a diabetes
screening and you can visit DiabetesDreamTeam.com to download my “Coaches’
Clipboard” that has tips for creating your own “Dream Team” of experts.
Aaron: Outside of speaking, and since retiring from the NBA, what are
some of the things you have enjoyed partaking in?
Dominique: Outside of the NBA my calling is healthcare and diabetes
and particularly with Novo Nordisk. That’s my calling – having the opportunity
to help educate people about living with diabetes. I’ve also launched my own
brand of signature basketball courts with CBA Sports. That’s been a big thing
for me that I’m very passionate about.
Aaron: You are involved in many community initiatives. Do you have
anything currently new and exciting going on with The Dominique Wilkins
Foundation?
Dominique: I’m still heavily involved in the community – sit on a
couple of organizational boards. I also support some of the major foundations
like Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Women’s Sports Foundation, the American
Heart Association, and the National Endocrinology Association. I also support several
different charities – Big Brother and Big Sister, and also Special Olympics.
Aaron: Before
we close the interview, would you like to share anything that we haven’t
discussed?
Dominique: I definitely encourage people to make changes, make a
lifestyle change and work with their doctors to find and stick to a treatment
plan that works for them. I think that’s the biggest thing for us here.
Aaron: Thank you for your time Mr. Wilkins.
Dominique: I appreciate this man! Thank you.
Click on link
below to Download Dominique Wilkins Coaches' Clipboard guide on diabetes
http://consciousnessmagazine.com/Articles/Dominique%20Coaches'%20Clipboard.pdf
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