Dwyane Wade Shares Why He Started Therapy After Previously Believing It Wasn't for Him
Dwyane Wade Shares Why He Started Therapy After Previously Believing It Wasn't for Him
Toria Sheffield, Meredith WilshereSun, June 21, 2026 at 6:30 PM UTC
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Dwyane Wade at Storytellers during the 2026 Tribeca Festival in N.Y.C. on June 10, 2026Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty -
Dwyane Wade got candid about his decision to start therapy after retiring from the NBA in 2019
The former Miami Heat shooting guard said he had previously believed therapy wasn't for him
Wade opened up about his mental health journey during a live discussion at the Tribeca Festival on June 10
Dwyane Wade got candid about his decision to start therapy after retiring from the NBA.
Wade, 44, opened up about his experience with mental health during a live Storyteller discussion with Jenna Bush Hager at the Tribeca Festival in New York City on June 10.
During the conversation, the Miami Heat legend shared that retiring from basketball — a sport he had played his entire life — took an emotional toll.
Dwyane Wade at American Airlines Arena in Miami on March 29, 2018Credit: Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty
"Once you retire, that's when, you know … you really go through a moment, a time of depression," he said.
"And it's how you decide to handle that depression which is going to determine your next step because, you know — since I was 5 years old — that's what I did, played basketball. And then I was really good at it. So now you're coming out of this world and … now I got to get another skill," he continued.
Wade went on to say that "the first thing" he did when he retired was start therapy, despite the fact that he previously had some resistance to the idea.
"I was the Black man that was like, 'Therapy ain't for me,' " he explained.
Dwyane Wade and Jenna Bush Hager speak onstage at Storytellers during the Tribeca Festival on June 10, 2026Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
However, Wade said he intuitively knew he needed an emotional outlet post-retirement.
"Basketball not only was a place where I had so much success … it was also my outlet, you know what I mean? Like, I could scream. I can yell. I can curse. I could, you know — not fight — but you know, get a little aggressive out there, and I just can't do all those things [in everyday life]. I can't come home and do all those [things]," he said.
"And so I was like, 'Okay, where do I put this energy?' " he continued, adding that he wanted to ensure it didn't become directed at his loved ones.
"It's gonna go to the ones around you, and I didn't wanna do that. And so the first thing I did in the midst of not knowing what to do, I just sat across from someone and started talking, you know?" he said.
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In addition to discussing his emotional journey post-retirement, the three-time NBA champion opened up about another topic he's become passionate about: helping younger professional athletes manage their money smartly and responsibly.
Dwyane Wade with his wife Gabrielle Union in N.Y.C. on May 5, 2026Credit: Gilbert Carrasquillo/GC Images
He currently chairs the JPMorganChase Athlete Council, which is a new advisory group of seasoned athletes that aims to develop financial education, planning and wealth-management resources tailored to athletes throughout their careers.
It also includes Ally Love, Megan Rapinoe, Tom Brady and other prominent figures.
"We've been talking about this for a very long time and trying to figure out how to put [it] together, you know, the right group that young athletes will listen to," Wade explained.
"A lot of athletes are getting money at very, very young ages," he continued. "And I know what I did when I first got my money: I blew it."
Dwyane Wade at Storytellers during the Tribeca Festival on June 10, 2026Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
"We're going to really talk [to younger athletes] about the mistakes we made and the successes we had, and what we learned along that process and who we learned to trust, who we learned not to trust, and really just getting to athletes and just sharing," he added.
"It's really, you know, being able to meet them where they are as athletes and say, 'Listen, I understand. I know you want to blow [it]. I know you want to spend it, because you haven't had [it], your family hasn't had it,' " Wade said.
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"No one talks about the protection of your money," he added.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
