At 40 years old, LeBron James is still putting up all-star numbers and outlasting entire NBA generations. Most players at this stage are in suits, not jerseys. But LeBron? He’s still chasing rings, logging minutes, and defying age like it’s just another defender in the lane.
That kind of longevity doesn’t come easy. On a recent episode of Mind The Game, his podcast with Steve Nash, LeBron offered a rare glimpse into the personal sacrifices behind the greatness-starting with something as simple, and as tempting, as a scoop of ice cream.
“I f– love chocolate chip cookies and ice cream,”he said, laughing. “But I can’t just have the regular stuff. I have to get the dairy-free ice cream and the non-gluten-free cookies. That’s my cheat-if you can even call it that.”
“Dad, you can’t have mine”: When Zhuri’s freezer picks win
Turns out, the sweet cravings run in the family. His 10-year-old daughter Zhuri is a big fan of the real deal-extra creamy vanilla bean, full dairy, full flavor. And her stash lives right there in the family freezer.
“You go in my freezer, and there’s like three cartons of ice cream in there. But they’re all hers,” LeBron said. “She pulls out her vanilla bean, and I’m just sitting there thinking,‘Damn, that looks so good.'”
While Zhuri enjoys the good stuff, LeBron sticks to the version that supports his longevity-no dairy, no gluten, and definitely no fun. It’s a small price to pay to keep competing at the highest level. Still, there’s a hint of playful jealousy when he watches his daughter dig into her dessert while he opens up a carton of… discipline.
But that’s the deal he’s made with himself. LeBron’s already played more seasons than Michael Jordan and has appeared in more than 1,700 NBA games, including playoffs. Staying on the court means saying no-even to vanilla bean ice cream.
There’s no dramatic speech, no mythical “Mamba Mentality” moment. Just quiet, daily decisions. Fewer calories. Less sugar. And maybe, once in a while, a spoonful when no one’s watching.
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