Dwyane Wade has a new hobby that keeps his mind and body engaged after retiring from the NBA.
Wade, 42, tells PEOPLE, “I think in retirement I’ve become a better student of my mind and body,” as he discusses his continued partnership with Thorne, a scientific wellness company that the former NBA star says has changed the way he thinks about fitness and nutrition.
Wade shared with PEOPLE in August that he struggles with “mental fog” at times. Now, six months later, Wade says he’s “learning how to deal” with the problem by challenging his mind and body in new ways.
“It was really a learning experience for me. When I was playing basketball, I pushed through it. I would say the mental fog comes with taking care of your mind, and I try to do that from a practice standpoint and stick with my practices.”
His new favorite way to keep his mind and body sharp? “Hot yoga,” says Wade. “It’s a completely different challenge for me, mentally as well as physically. But the mental challenge of being at 100+ degrees [heat]…we really train.”
Dwyane Wade for Thorne.
Courtesy of Thorne
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Wade says he was surprised by the mental and physical demands of practicing hot yoga, which he first explored at the recommendation of a friend. The former Miami Heat star says he found similarities to his competitive basketball days.
It was 75 minutes that I was not ready for, he says. “My mind was trying to think about everything on the outside of that door, to escape, and I thought, oh, this is a familiar thought. This is a familiar place.”
Wade explains, “As an athlete, your mind is always trying to escape you. As humans in general, our minds always escape at the slightest resistance.”
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Dwyane Wade plays basketball at home with his son.
Courtesy of Thorne
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And while doing hot yoga, Wade says, “It’s a mental challenge to be there, and I have to be so tied up mentally, and it’s hard to be tied up at 6:30 in the morning and do all these things. I thought, oh, I’m looking for this challenge. That is what made me do it, was the challenge of the mental mind trying to escape, and that’s something I want to be consistent in.”
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Wade also likes to be consistent in the Thorne products he uses, with Daily Greens being his favorite.
“I don’t really eat a lot of greens myself, you have to force me,” Wade admits. “I understand what it gives me, I need it. I need focus.”
The father of five and current Oscar contender says he’s also looking for a way to stay energized to keep up with his demanding schedule. “I need energy. I need these things to help me with everything I’m trying to give and go out into the world.”
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education