From a young age, basketball was Sheryl Swoopes’ "ticket" – not just to change her own life, but her mother's life too. And what a ticket it was. The first player signed to the Women's Professional League, the first female player with a signature shoe, a three-time gold medalist, a four-time champion, a Hall of Famer. Sheryl is a wife, a mother, and a legend. Her career alone was an unordinary testament to what's possible.
But even legends face unexpected challenges. After retiring from the game that defined so much of her life, she received a diagnosis that shook her to her core: Type 2 diabetes. "I initially was just terrified,” she recalls. As an athlete, she felt invincible, but the quiet symptoms had been there for months – waking up often to use the bathroom, her body desperately trying to rid itself of excess sugar. Even before her diagnosis, she knew something was wrong, though she couldn’t pinpoint what. "As an athlete, I just kind of felt like I could deal with this," she admits, "even though I had no idea what it was."
The diagnosis was a wake-up call, a stark reminder that diabetes doesn't discriminate. It can affect anyone, regardless of their athletic prowess or past achievements. Sheryl learned that Type 2 diabetes carries a four-time greater risk of heart attack or stroke, a sobering reality that underscored the urgency of her situation and the need for her to drive change in her own health journey.
Yet, her story isn't just about overcoming a personal health challenge; it's about the power of connection and advocacy. She emphasizes the critical role of a strong support system, a lesson she learned profoundly from her mother. Her mom, ‘always there, front and center,’ battled colon cancer, and Sheryl was by her side for the last eight months of her life. "She just gave me so much strength to deal with anything that comes my way," she shares, highlighting the enduring bond that shaped her resilience.
Now, she is channeling that strength into a new fight: raising awareness about diabetes, particularly within the disproportionately affected African American community. "We really have to do a much better job of talking to each other, talking to our parents, our spouses," she urges. Her message is clear: "If something doesn't feel right, then it probably isn't." This commitment to open dialogue and education is how she continues to drive change beyond the court.
From the roaring crowds of professional basketball to the quiet life of a "country girl," she has navigated profound changes. Through all the "noise" and challenges, she has always been driven by a desire to empower women, to show "just who we are and what we're capable of doing."
Her journey with diabetes is no different. It's a testament to discipline, resilience, and the courage to speak up, embodying the very spirit of driving change. "Breathe. You're going to be okay," she advises, "But you also have to change and be disciplined."
This unordinary story is a powerful reminder that even after achieving legendary status, the most important victories are often won off the court, through health, advocacy, and an unwavering spirit to inspire others.
