Shaquille O’Neal grew up hearing he would never amount to much. He was the kid getting suspended, struggling in class, and being written off as just the big athlete. What changed is that he decided he never wanted to feel lost or talked down to in business again. Shaq said that when he walked into meetings, executives would talk to his agent instead of him. He found it disrespectful. He was the one signing deals and making the final decisions, so he chose to get educated. He earned a bachelor’s degree, then a business master’s, and eventually his doctorate. The goal was simple. He wanted respect, understanding, and control over his own future. Along the way, he realized learning was not something to fear. A classmate helped him see that school could unlock opportunity. From there, Shaq leaned in, studying, asking questions, and hosting his own yearly business summit. Those choices paid off. Today, his investments, endorsements, and partnerships earn more than his entire NBA career. But he insists it is not just about money. It is about confidence, curiosity, and having fun building things with people he trusts. Shaq even talks about law school now, not to become a lawyer, but so no one ever talks over him again. For him, education became the ultimate power move.