Tyrese Haliburton

30:29And they're like, what the fuck? Also, because YouTube. Yeah. Watch it. You can watch anything. Exactly. Yeah. So what do you think about ESPN and WWE? Oh, I'm excited about it because I feel like it's like my two worlds are coming together even more, you know? And I think Paul keeps saying it, but like when I was a kid and like say I didn't get the pay-per-view, where was I going to go to look? Like I didn't have social media at the time. So it was like I had to go to WB.com and try to find the results on there. And so like the fact that like it's being talked about on these like major platforms, I think is is very cool.

31:04And that's what I was kind of just talking to him about there out there was like I went through that phase where it's like it's not like it wasn't cool, you know. And now the fact that it's on ESPN and people are seeing people. And everybody's talking about it. Exactly. I don't I feel like. I mean, Stephen A is pretty big. Exactly. Yeah, exactly. So I feel like kids won't necessarily have that that phase anymore. Yeah. I'm curious to see how that progresses with it being so mainstream. Kids are able to really just follow it all the time, which I think it should be pretty easy now. Yeah, I'm excited about that.

31:38Me too. I'm very excited for this partnership. It's really incredible. Yeah, and they're doing a really good job. The coverage has been crazy. It has. They talked about they picked Sina Lesnar choices on college game day today. Right, right. I was like, that's pretty cool. That's cool. You know you've broken through when that happens. Yeah, exactly. Nick Saban did. That's crazy. That's unbelievable. We were watching Cam Newton when Triple H was on the show with him. But how every announcer has this little bit of fan in them. He started talking about it too. And you're like, everyone loves WWE.

32:11No doubt. Even if they don't know it. They don't know it. But you do. Yeah, they know something. It's very hard to meet someone who does not know what WWE is. Yes, yes. You know what it is. at the bare minimum, you know John's theme song. Right. You know a couple theme songs. You know this. Yes. I mean, at one point in time, you knew the yes. Yes. Yeah. The yes. The hold the ones up for Roman. Oh, yeah. Suck it. Right? Of course. We know them all. Of course. Of course. Because I did the, I'm doing, like, I did a DX colorway last year. We're doing a color this year, and I'm like, Hunter. So you're still doing that as well as the shoe?

32:50Yeah, well, I'm doing the colors now just in my shoe. Just in your shoe. Yes, exactly. So we're doing a couple DX colors and a couple colors around certain things with WWE. And I'm slowly getting them to guys in the locker room because I'm like, Jimmy and Jay, you guys wear them in the ring. You wear shoes in the ring. I was going to ask that question, like the collab with you and WWE. Why not? Absolutely. Trust me, I've been pushing it for a long time. And the more fun you can have, right? Like as you were saying, blending both worlds as probably only you can, right? And bringing that to life and what your imagination and your creativity, you know, it doesn't have to stop at t-shirts and shoes.

33:30And where does it go from there? It's so cool. And having your own shoe is so cool. I mean, that's, congratulations. Thank you. I appreciate that. That's amazing. Yeah, I'm very excited about it. Fall always feels like a reset between back to school, busier routines, and shorter days. Finding time to cook can be tough. That's why I love Factor. Their chef-prepared, dietician-approved meals make it easy to stay on track and enjoy something comforting and delicious, no matter how hectic the season gets. More variety, more meals, choose from a wider selection of weekly meal options, including premium seafood choices like salmon and shrimp at no extra cost.

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35:05Squarespace is the all-in-one website platform designed to help you stand out and succeed online. Every dream needs a domain. Squarespace Domains makes it easy to find the best name for your business at one fair, all-inclusive price. No hidden fees or add-ons required. With Squarespace's collection of cutting-edge design tools, anyone can build a bespoke online presence that perfectly fits their brand or business. Start with Blueprint AI, Squarespace's AI-enhanced website builder, to get a fully custom website in just a few steps, using basic information about your industry goals and personality to generate premium quality content and personalized design recommendations.

35:52Squarespace gives you everything you need to offer services and get paid all in one place. Plus, get discovered fast with integrated Squarespace SEO tools. Head to squarespace.com slash S-T-E-P-H for a free trial. And when you're ready to launch, use offer code STEF to save 10 % off your first purchase of a website or domain. One of the things I wanted to talk to you about was Drew Hanlon. Yeah. So can you tell me a little bit about what he's meant to you and your career? Yeah, so Drew is a trainer in the NBA. He trains a lot of guys. He's probably got a roster of like 10, 11 guys. And he is very blunt.

36:42And he is a genius. Like, I love being around him. and like in my second year I was kind of coming into my own as a player like I was really starting to you know I wasn't an all-star yet and so I was starting to have good games and so I my agent wanted me to have dinner with Drew and so we sat down and had dinner and he was just very like he laid out a full roster of guys in the NBA he's like are you better than this guy and I was like yeah are you better than this guy and I was like I don't know and he just kind of went down the line of people like, do you think you're better than them? And I was like, I don't really know.

37:18And he's like, what do you think is the most points you'll ever average? I'm like, I don't know. I guess I've never thought about these things, you know? And he kind of challenged my thinking in a lot of ways. And for me, it's always about being more aggressive. Like, I don't, people always are on me to shoot the ball more. And, like, by nature, I like to pass, get people involved. And so he's been the guy who's, like, really challenged me to become more of a scorer because I'm better when I'm scoring the ball. And so he's really challenged my thinking, and he's been a great, great, great person for me to have in my life because it's important to have somebody who challenges your thinking, especially at this level because you get a lot of yes men at this point.

37:59A lot of people telling you you're the greatest. You don't got to change anything. And Drew is just not that. He just does a great job of challenging my thinking. I really think he's had a big part of me taking my career to another level, And that's been, you know, very special for me. And before he took you on, he said you had to accomplish something. Yeah, so we were in Philly. He has Joel Embiid on the Sixers. Which, yeah, are you guys friends? Yeah, we're very close. Because I wondered when I was reading that. We are very close, yes. And Joel, he was there visiting Joel, and he had dinner with me.

38:32And he broke down the numbers when I shoot a specific amount of shots, how many points I average. and so he was like my challenge to you tomorrow is to shoot 15 shots if you shoot 15 shots I will work with you right it's okay and I'm going to the game and I'm like okay I'm trying to be aggressive from the jump and I never thought about that before I never thought about I needed to shoot a specific amount of shots or right whatever so I go out there I end up shooting I think it was 19 shots I had my career high in points at the time I had 38 yep and just like that night of sitting there and him challenging me and and my thinking I felt like going into that game I was it was in the back of my mind is all I could think about and I felt like that that led to me having a good game and so from there our relationship started from there we started working out together and it's like sometimes it's not even necessarily like physical like you know doing a bunch of drills and getting on the court sometimes he's like a real mental coach for me as well like watching great coaches are yes exactly like let's like just challenge my thinking sometimes it's as simple as just flip your mindset as much as it is you need to become more skilled at certain things like obviously you need to have the ability to do it but I feel like he does a very good job of being like let's get better at like let's switch your mindset how can you do this better and I feel like that's helped me a lot so he said to you that sometimes being let me let me see if I can get this quote correct he said sometimes being unselfish is being selfish yeah yeah yeah can you explain that yeah so so by the numbers the numbers say when i shoot the ball more we win more and actually weirdly when i shoot the ball more my assists go up which doesn't shouldn't coincide But it's just like that level of aggression is better for us as a team.

40:24And so he always says, by you being so unselfish, refusing to shoot the ball more, from a statistical standpoint, you're putting your team in a worse position to win. You're putting yourself in a worse position to have a good game. So really, by you choosing to be that unselfish, not shooting the ball more, trying to pass it more, you're hurting the team. So it's a weird way of thinking. But you wouldn't, so let me, because I would think, right, that that would be a hard thing to wrap your head around. Yes, and trust me, it's a constant battle. Every game, every game. Because I'm not perfect. Like every game, there's games where I'm like, I needed to be more aggressive.

41:03Or there's never, I will say, there's never a game where I've said I was too aggressive. Like that's never happened. Even in the game, though, I might think, man, I'm really shooting it right now. I need to pass it a little bit more. And I've said to that to my teammates before, hey, man, tell me if I'm tripping. Should I keep, you know what I mean? Am I shooting the ball too much? And guys would be like, what? Yeah, fuck that. We're winning. Keep shooting, please. Exactly. And that conversation happens all the time. And I feel like it's kind of like imposter syndrome sometimes. You know, like I don't necessarily like know who I am sometimes.

41:35Sometimes I have to like re-prove to myself like, no, this is who you are. Like this is good for us. And that's kind of the constant mental battle of every day. Is there like a specific self-talk you do before you play to get yourself there? I think just the thing that always reigns true in my head is 15. Like 15 shots. Because now, give or take, it's more like 17, 18 is really the goal now. But I know if I can get to 15, I'm putting myself and our team in a very good position to win. And if you look at the numbers, it's like, and I know coach is going to kill me for a second. But if you look at the numbers, it's like it is like the more I shoot, the better chance we have to win.

42:16And the percentage goes up. So it's just like, I don't know. I mean, they recruited you for a reason. Yes, exactly. Yeah. They got you for a reason. Yes. I mean, and you're delivering on that. But I'm trying to understand, too, the coach's mentality of like changing your perspective. Yeah. Right. Like, yeah, shoot. Make sure you shoot at least 15 times. Like, oh, it's just a different way of thinking, right? To your point, right? It's not about like, oh, I've got to score this many points. Yeah. But it's just the amount of times that you actually shoot the ball. And then so you're focused on that versus making sure your teammates have the ability to shoot.

42:55Yeah. You know? I think it's both. I think sometimes it's not even about, what I argue is it's not always about shot attempts. It's just about aggression. So like, because I'm a passer by nature. Right. Sometimes if I'm really thinking score, score, score and I go in, I have a good instinct to be like, oh, there's two people on me. He's open. Yeah. And that's what me and Drew always talk about is like think score first. If you think score first, your basketball instinct is going to take over and you're going to make the right play. But just try to be more aggressive that way and then figure it out.

43:30So, yeah, it's weird because most guys in the NBA, I would say 99 % of the guys in the NBA, you do not have to tell them to shoot. Right. Like they're all like, we want to shoot. That's what we do. And that's just by nature. That's just not who I am. Like I'm just a guy who wants to pass. And I feel like that comes from when I was a child, we were always the best team. We always beat everybody. We won. Like in my area, we were the best team. So my goal always as a kid was let's get up by a lot so that the kids on the end of the bench can get in. And those are like my friends who aren't as good, but they come in and when they score, it's great.

44:05It's amazing. Everybody's having fun, you know? Yeah, so I feel like that honestly comes from when I was a kid. Like those guys getting in the game and them being able to score, that's just like that's when I fell in love with passing the ball, getting my teammates involved at a very young age. But that's pretty remarkable at a very young age to recognize that, right? and to intentionally get your team to a certain place so you can bring them in. What do you attribute that selfless thinking to? Yeah, I think really the way I was raised. I think my dad is, like, he is that. Like, my dad and my mom, like, they are that.

44:45Like, in my town, we always had a garage sale, like, right before the school year started. and my mom would have totes and totes and totes of brand new clothes that she had just collected over the years that she would just put out and put like a dollar on. And I'd be like, as a kid, I'd be like, mom, you can make money. And she'd just be like, but like, this is like for the community. So like everybody knew where my house was. I'm on the same street as the high school. And like there'd be a lot of families in my neighborhood who would come and get back to school clothes at my garage sale that were brand new, you know?

45:17I just feel like that comes from my family always wanting to give back. And I feel like that has a part or big part to do with the human I am like today is just the way I was raised. And I feel like that's a big part of it. And now moving forward, we're really working on getting my foundation started and doing just a lot of different things in the community because that's really what my passion is. And that's like very special for me. That's incredible. Yeah, I appreciate that. The example that they set. Yeah, no doubt. And you are now setting that example. No doubt, for sure. I'm moved. I also think seeing you on the court as this very impressive player, I would never imagine that you are thinking about, like, passing the ball the whole time.

46:00Not in a bad way, but you're shooting and you're making the shots. Everybody wants you to keep doing that. But you and your mind, you're kind of battling something different and how it came from your childhood. It's just beautiful. It's really cool to see it transfer to the court. Yeah, I guess I never thought of it that way until we just talked about it like that. Yeah, see this podcast. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Exactly. I guess I've never thought of it that way. Thought about, like, why I am the way I am in certain ways. But, yeah, I feel like it just comes from childhood, just thinking about getting guys involved.

46:30And, yeah, I don't know. I just. Well, you clearly have a big heart. Yeah, I'd like to think so. Yeah. I'd like to think so, yeah. Do you have any particular focus for your foundation that you're thinking about? Just children in general. I think just, like, overall children's health. Like for me, my fiance went to school to be an elementary ed teacher. Wow. Yeah. And so she. This is Jade. This is Jade. Yes. And so when I was, she's two years older than me. So I left after my second year. So as I was preparing to go to the NBA, she was graduating. And so it was kind of like we had been dating for about a year at that point.

47:06So I was like, she was kind of like, hey, am I going to go teach in Iowa or am I going to move with you? and we're going to, this is very serious at that point. And so for me, I was like, please, yeah, I want you to come with me. Yeah, with me. Yeah, with me. And like, you know, I'm fortunate enough to make, you know, a good amount of money where she doesn't have to, you know, teach because there's a lot of hours and a lot of things she has to do. And so I think her passion has always just been children. And I think my mom is retired now as well. So for those two to be involved with my foundation and have a lot to do with that, along with my business manager, Christina, like those are the three like most important women in my life.

47:45And so for those three to like really be able to like take the reins with my foundation as well as what I enjoy to do is just be around kids. And I think like obviously there's the physical health aspect of it, but I think like mental health, like we're talking about now is what I've come to realize is such a big part of my life now. But just like, I don't know, I think physical health is not just like being like sickness and stuff. I think it's like a roof over their head and being able to get to school and all those things that I take for granted today that are very important. And I know they're very important in my community back home, which I've been able to do a lot, and as well as here in Indy where I plan to spend a lot of my life here.

48:27So, yeah, it's definitely a passion of mine. That's amazing. That's just awesome. Yeah, I appreciate that. And I love the Holy Trinity. Yeah. And your fiance gets along well with your mom. Oh, they are. They get along amazing. It is. That's great. Yeah, it is. Good for you. Yes, yes, yes. I think at first there was a little like, you know, like there always is. You know, I'm my mom's baby, you know. Oh, yeah. To let me go like that a little bit. For sure. And I'm not the greatest. And another woman coming in. Yes, exactly. Like that's, you know. And I'm not the greatest communicator. So when my mom wants to know everything that's going on and when I don't tell her, then it was like it was jade's fault that you know i wasn't and so there was a little you know for a little bit well yeah it's easier not to blame and she never and i like i said i was a spoiled child and i also was my brothers will say i was the golden child so i never get i rarely get yelled at and so my mom was like who do i put the blame on it would be jade and when i got traded here to indiana and i like i had to leave the next day to get here and my mom and Jade had to like put together how are we going to sell all the furniture, how are we going to get rid of everything and get the dogs here and coordinate everything like that, they have been thick as thieves ever since.

49:43Yeah, because they had to work together. Exactly. Yep. Or you. Exactly. So that's why I'm sure all the conversation about all those times you put the heat on her, that came out. I knew it wasn't you. And now they gang up on me. That's right. Now I don't communicate. They come together and they yell at me together. That's right. That's right. Yeah, it's awesome. It's a good problem to have. Yeah, it's a good problem to have. I love that they get along. It is amazing, and it just takes the headaches away because, like, she doesn't have to... At first, you know, in a relationship, it's like, can you call your mom and ask?

50:13Right, of course. And now it's like, she'll just call my mom and ask. And it's like, okay, that's... Thank you, thank you. Yes, exactly. It's nice, it's nice. Are you ready to hold WWE history in the palm of your hand? Tops is bringing you closer to the action than ever before with WWE Tops Now. Highlighting the biggest matches and milestones from WWE shows and PLEs throughout the year, Topps now is enhancing the fan experience by connecting collectors to the superstars and spectacles that ignite their passion. Featuring stunning event-exclusive photography, each card is made for the moment. And for some lucky collectors, that moment could become the pull of a lifetime.

50:56Along with serial numbered parallels, some Topps Now releases offer a chance at rare short prints, superstar autographs, and even pieces of the mat, gear, or other items used during the featured match. So which moments will you collect? With each card only available for a limited time, you won't want to wait to begin your Topps Now journey. Be sure to subscribe to the WWE Topps Now mailing list on Topps.com and follow Topps on all social media platforms so you never miss a single moment. So how was it you had brought up the trade? And I've read some articles, you know, that that was a very difficult time for you, especially as a young man and especially as a young successful man who had known nothing but success up until that moment.

51:51um and not that it was an unsuccessful moment but you felt that way yeah um what did you learn about yourself in that process and how did you get through it yeah yeah i read something that said you you cried for like a year oh i don't know if that's true or not a whole year i cried for a while that day yeah like because that's like getting traded is like for most of us professional athletes that's like a really big ego hit sure especially early because for me in sacramento i was like being touted as like the future right and everybody like when you're the rookie you're like you're like the new puppy right everybody loves you they don't have a reason not to like you yet right you're the successful young guy everybody's enjoying you and and for me to get traded was like they don't want me like what the heck you know and like now that i'm a little older you start to understand well you're an asset and like it's a business you know i mean and that's hard to i think accept but i think in that in that moment for me it was very like i kept asking god like why why is this happening you know why and i think it's that's like the main example i think about in my life that the answer is not gonna come right away you know like why is this happening i didn't get that like I wanted to know I'm keep asking why why are you doing this like and I didn't know and I didn't understand for a little bit but the more time has gone on I've understood all this has happened for a reason you know for me to be here in Indiana and this is closer to home for me like it's a five-hour drive to my hometown and I really was able to come here and be a part of the start of building something very special and we have we've really grown a great organization a great culture we were again it was a team that was being built yes exactly we like when i got here and they built it around yeah when i got here we were really bad really bad we were not good at all and it was kind of like that really helped me in my growth because coach was kind of like go out there and you know do your thing like i'll coach you but i want you to we're not gonna we're not gonna be very good we're really young like go out there and kind of experiment with like basketball like you know and so for me that that that was like a big time for me as a young player to be put in situations that I wouldn't have been put in in other you know in other places and so for me that's like the first example I can think of where the answer did not come right away it just came over time and I really feel like that's what's happening right now with this injury you know because I sat there I cannot tell you how many times I have looked up and said, God, why did you have to do this?

54:35Why? Biggest stage of my life and the biggest moment of my life. Like, why did this have to happen? And I feel like I don't have that answer right now. And I don't, I don't know why, but I feel like there's a bigger purpose. And I don't know what that is. Maybe, maybe it is because I'm going to win a championship in a couple of years and that's going to make it feel even greater. Right. Maybe that's not my calling card. And maybe it's to come back from this injury at a very high level and inspire people to, when something goes wrong for them, to push through and persevere. You know, I don't know what that is.

55:08And I don't think I have the answer right now. But I think in a couple of years, I'll be able to say, there it is. That's what it is. And I think that's kind of the way that I try to approach it. So, yeah, that moment was an ego hit for me. And it was hard. Especially being, how old were you? At the time, I was 21. Right? Yeah, I was 21 years old. 21. I don't know the answer. I was 21, yeah. I was looking at her for conversation. I'm like, I'm sorry. Yeah, I was 21 at the time. So it was, and it kind of caused me to have to grow up fast. Yeah. You know, like I had to, I got traded and I had to coordinate with my family.

55:44Like, you know, like we got to sell things. We got to, this is like, we got to move everything. I got to get going. And again, it comes down to having a great, great support system in my family and my loved ones. And that made the transition smooth. but you know kind of had to like I was already adulting living in California where I'm from was like I was kind of already you know on the road there if not fully there I didn't know adulting was a thing but like I get it yeah you know what I'm saying you're like playing adult yeah exactly because that's what that's what the NBA is we're playing adult we get I got that's the same here I got drafted when I was 20 years old I got drafted when I was 20 years old and I had to figure out I had to like hire an agent hire a financial advisor you're still a kid yeah how am I going to eat?

56:25Like I can't just eat In-N-Out burger every meal and, you know, go get McDonald's breakfast. And like, I can't just eat like, and I'm not cooking. So like, how am I going to eat? How am I going to live? Yeah, exactly. Who's going to take care of me? Who am I calling if my dishwasher breaks? Because when I got to college, I was a helpless 18 year old. I was very, like I said, I was very spoiled. So I didn't know how to do laundry. I didn't know how to do the dishes. Like, I didn't make my bed every day. Like, and so that's how - Oh, and you did all those things in college. I, what I did, I lived across from the cheerleaders.

57:03Oh. Jade was a cheerleader. All right. So that's how that happened. That's right, yeah. So I would, the cheerleaders would help me do the dishes and everything. And that's how I got in with the cheerleaders and ultimately got introduced to Jade that way. So, yeah, it all worked out the right way. Was it love at first sight? You know, I think at the time, like, we were, she was my best friend. She became my best friend very fast. Like, we, so like, the girl who introduced us, her name is Abby. Abby lives in Indy now. Like, all my people live out here. But Abby was the cheerleader across from me who did, her and her roommates did everything for me.

57:42Abby introduced me to Jade. One day I was, I would go to their apartment and just chill with the cheerleaders all the time. Look at you I know I know At least he's such a nice guy Yeah yeah yeah And I would just hate And like Who wants to do my laundry I would tell like my other Yeah exactly Who wants to do the laundry Who wants to do this And I'm like I need a pedicure Yeah exactly And I would like start to like My other freshman Fellow freshman basketball players Be like yo Come to the cheerleaders We can go hang out with the cheerleaders Come on And so we'd go hang out there And I remember I was like hanging out with the girls Like chilling in their room And Jade walked in And I still remember it.

58:20And like right from there, like we just became like she was just we were all part of the same friend group. And then we just became closer and closer. And as time went on, she was talking to somebody else and I was talking to somebody else. And it kind of ended. Both of our things kind of ended at the same time. And the rest is history. And her dog had passed at the time, her childhood dog. And I didn't really I never had a pet growing up. I have a pet now, but I never had a pet growing up. So I didn't understand like what that meant. But when her pet died, I like texted her a really sweet message.

58:52And I was like, I was genuinely like felt bad. And she said like, that was the moment I knew like. He's a good guy. Yes. Like I really want to talk to him in a more serious way. And so that's how it happened. Oh, I just got goosebumps. I know. That's really sweet. Especially because you weren't a pet. Like you didn't have a pet yet. Yeah. No, I just. But you knew. Yeah. She was. I could tell she took it hard. And you cared. Yeah. And now learning. That's the thing. She was hurting and you cared. Right. And now we have a dog together. And I always think about it. And what's your dog's name? Ames.

59:20Because we've been in Ames, Iowa. Oh, this is great. And I always think like, because I never have thought like when my friend's dogs would die growing up or something like that, I never would understand like why people would. Why they'd be so upset. Yeah, but now that I have a dog, the thought of not waking up to him, I'm like, that is. It's the worst. That heartbreak I could never even, I could never like think about. Yeah, it's tough to you. Yeah. She's like, please, we're keeping it light. Yeah, we're not going to go there. we're not gonna go there don't do it don't do it but that's pretty incredible yeah yeah and she knew so have you told the story of how you did it how i did what the question oh yeah yeah i guess i haven't so i do you think she'd be cool with you tell it yeah yeah for sure for sure it's on it's gonna be on netflix next month oh great okay so we preempted yes exactly so again i have been I've been planning this for a year, basically.

1:00:14Basically, the Olympics last year. For a year you planned it. Yes. At the end of the Olympics, I said I was going to go to Saint-Tropez. We went to Saint-Tropez for a week after the Olympics to kind of decompress. And so I told my mom, I said, we're going to go to Saint-Tropez. And my mom was like, what are you proposing? I said, Mom. I guess that was at the point where I guess that was the first time that I really thought like, hmm when am I gonna propose yeah and so I was like mom I think realistically a year I think in a year I'll propose because the heat had been coming for a little bit you know and so I planned it for a year and I got with Iowa State and I said hey could I rent out the gym like the the arena Hillton Coliseum and they said yeah of course no problem and so we figured out a date that would work and um for a year like I said I got a banner in Ames for my for winning a gold medal and so that's amazing yeah and so what I did like we flew in the day of we flew in went to the game got the banner left so we're only there for one day not even so like none of my friends got to come okay so what I did the whole year is basically say hey you know we're getting the banner none of my friends can come when we go back for the golf outing that we do every year in Ames.

1:01:35I want to throw a party for my banner. I want all my friends to come. I want you to invite all your friends, all your family. I want everybody to come. And she was like, yeah. And the whole time I told her that I went and told her sister, Hey, this is what's happening. I'm proposing make sure. Cause, cause you know, if Jade were to tell, Hey, we're going to have a party in Iowa. If you want to come her friends and family might be like, I don't want to, I mean like, yeah. I'm like, tell everybody they're coming. They're coming. Don't tell them why, but tell them they're coming. And so we kind of planned it for a year.

1:02:07And I did all these Netflix interviews talking about it. And it took a lot of planning and very secretive, not telling anybody. I can't believe nobody spilled the beans. Nobody spilled the beans. For a year. Yeah, thank God. That is such a long time. So much pressure to be her sister. Yeah, I was not nervous. I was not nervous the whole time leading up to it until the day of. Right. The day of, we all went to lunch. All her friends and family Me And I didn't know who knew And who didn't know at this time Yeah At this time I had told her mom I had told her dad And I know they talk You told them or you asked them I asked their permission Okay I asked their permission And so I told them I asked their permission And so people knew And I don't know who they told And so I couldn't eat Like I was at lunch And I'm Where I was One of my favorite lunch spots in Ames And like I just like I was like oh my god Did she notice?

1:03:00No no no She didn't notice Like if someone ruins it that day. Yeah, it would hurt. And literally before we went, well, then I had to figure out how am I going to get her to go to the arena? Like I have no, like, what can I say? Do you want to go to the arena to look at the banner? That you've already seen. Yeah, exactly. And so what I said was because I left school after two years and I've always said, I really hope that I can convince Iowa State to give me an honorary degree so I don't have to go back to school. so i said so i said hey actually the president of the university wants to meet with me at the arena because i think they're talking about an honorary degree yeah and she was like really like okay let's go so we but that was all a lie it was a lie i mean the level of lying i will gladly take an honorary degree but yeah i lied completely and so before we left she was in the room like she she's gonna die when i say she was like i can't believe you didn't propose this weekend like this would have been the perfect no way before you did it yeah she's like when are you gonna propose like are you ever gonna propose like we've been dating for so long like at six years we had been dating okay she's like we've been dating for a long time and i'm like i like had to like totally snap on her like i kind of had to be like oh i'm not proposing to you because i was wearing a boot still okay i'm not proposing you in a boot give it up like it's gonna happen when it happens leave me alone like it was like that and you could kind of see her be like hurt yeah she's kind of defeated she was hurt yeah yeah she's kind of defeated and i was like because it probably took a lot for her to ask that too for sure and i was like but the fact that she was defeated it was kind of like just wait that's what you wanted yeah and so we went get her as low it was possible yes exactly and so we went there exactly we went there we got there i uh i like snuck the ring in my pocket while she wasn't looking and we got in there and it was like i i didn't know any of i wasn't a part of any of the setup christina my business manager and she she took thank god for christina she took care of everything iowa state did a great job the university and so we got there and uh like there it was like um the garage was like closed like when it opens you can see the court but it was closed and so there was a guy like an older man there and he was like you're here for dinner with with uh the president right and i said yeah he's like oh yeah it's right through this and he opened the garage and there was just a million candles a million like a huge flower arrangement a big sign saying will you marry me it was like out of a movie like our our favorite song from like high school musical played it was like it was straight out of a movie it was so beautiful and yeah right she started crying right away and it was uh it was special it was very special because it's like where we met where we fell in love in Ames and uh it's just a that's a very special place to the both of us so it was really cool that is so romantic and but were all the people there so so just we only kept it to like immediate friends and immediate family and then abby who introduced us abby um and they were in the locker room so like they were like they were they could see it yeah she didn't know they were there she thought it was just us so after she said yes they all screamed and ran out the locker room yeah it was uh it was and then after that i rented out the college bar that she worked at when we were in college.

1:06:25No way. So I rented it out. Amazing. And we got there and that's when all of like That's where all the party was. Sorority sisters, everybody was there. People that she didn't know were going to be there were all there. For her. Yeah. She thought it was a banner party. Come to find out it was for the engagement. So it was very special. That's amazing. You did so good. Yeah. You really did good. Like down to the man who said you're here for the president. Shout out to him. Shout out to him. It worked so well because when I walked in that door and there was no candles and no music. I was like, I have no idea where to go.

1:06:58This is going to be a shit show. And the dude was right there and he was like, I got you. Yeah, he played it so cool. He was like a shadowy figure. He was like a movie. He was sitting in the dark kind of and he kind of came out and said, Mr. Helleburn, you're here for dinner with the president. Yes, I am. For your honorary degree. Yes. I was like, oh, okay. Thank God. Is it true that you had to train to get up from the proposal? I had to train to get down. To get down for the proposal. Because at that time I was still in a boot, so I was like, how am I going to get down? Because people were worried when I got hurt.

1:07:39I was concerned too. Am I going to be able to get on a knee? Right, yeah. How am I going to be able to get down there? And my training staff was like, we promise you, you will be able to get on a knee at that time. And so we had just started lifting shortly before that for a few weeks before. so I was just starting to be able to walk in my boot for the for a little bit oh wow um at least to like stand like I wasn't walking but I was standing and so I would part of my lifting before like at the end of my lift or before my lift I would they would take my scooter and I would take my hands and get down on a knee and get up and I would do that like five times and then wow I could the proposal yeah I can do it so yeah I had to yeah I didn't know if that was true The proposal lift.

1:08:19Yeah, yeah, yeah. That is now, like, going forward, I heard it's a part of Achilles rehab. Yeah, yeah. They have to now do the proposal. You must have an elaborate proposal. It's how they know you're getting close. Exactly, exactly. Yeah, yeah. But, yeah, no, it was, I had to practice a little bit. But we figured it out. And honestly, it's so funny to go back and look at it because I, like, it's kind of a struggle to get up at that point. Like, it's easier to get down, but it was a struggle to get up. and instead of Jade like helping me up or like, I always joke with her. She was like this. Looking at her ring.

1:08:51Looking at her ring in the light. Like couldn't believe it. As I'm on the ground like struggling. Like struggling. Yeah, shaking to push up. She kept crapping her. Somebody pointed out the video and now it's the only thing I see when I watch. Her just sitting there like this. I need to see that. That is so funny. Oh my God, that's fantastic. Yeah. What a story. So given you're such a great human being, How are you going to be a heel everywhere else in the country? You know, I don't think people care. People don't care if they see the smile. They don't care. People just see me as the basketball player who talks a lot of shit and is, like, annoying on the court.

1:09:27And so, like, in Indy, they love me. You know what I mean? This is home. They know you. Yeah. And this is home, and you've helped build this team. And you've said you want to be here for a very long time. It's your roots. Yes, and I've been a big part of the culture that we've built here and all those things. So, yeah, I think whenever I, it doesn't matter where we travel to. Like, if we go back to, if I go back to NXT, which I definitely plan on doing at some point, they are going to boo me again. Because for some reason in Orlando, there's a lot of Knicks fans. In Orlando. Why? They were chanting, like, let's go Knicks.

1:09:59And I was like, I thought you guys were Magic fans. I don't know. Yeah. But, like, there's a lot of Knicks fans. So, like, Orlando, they don't like me. For sure they don't like me there. For sure they don't like me in Milwaukee. Like, that's like a. That's just a thing. And that's home. That's home. Yeah. That kind of sucks. I can't go home and do anything good. I can't go to a Packers game and people cheer for me. Because they're going to boo. They're going to boo the shit out of me. And then you're going to have to like. Yeah, they're going to boo the shit out of me. Just do the cheese head all the way down.

1:10:25Yeah, yeah. They can't see your face. Trust me, I want to go to Lambeau at some point, but I know if I go, they're going to kill me out there. So, yeah, I feel like those are kind of the main parts. But I feel like if I went to a PLE overseas or something, they wouldn't. yeah people would i mean they wouldn't boo i mean i doubt they would even care you know honestly you know whatever but uh i feel like there's many places i could go but there's certain places like i'm getting booed for sure so how are you gonna you read and react on the fly yeah you gotta embrace it yeah you definitely have to yeah like i just i have to take a jab at their sports teams i guess that's kind of the only you know that that's kind of a cheat code that i've learned i mean did you learn that from us uh yes yes we're good at that yeah i think about like the biggest point I think it's called GP yes yes exactly that's the easy way like the rock in Sacramento yeah back in when he was like playing the guitar uh-huh and he said something about the Kings losing to the Lakers and I was like oh like yeah people get so mad that's my easy way to go like even when I was at NXT they were booing me and I had to come up with something on the fly so I like the magic I like the Orlando magic there I got friends on the team I love their head coach Like they're a good team.

1:11:38And I had to come up with something. So I was just like, yeah, I would boo too if I had to cheer for the Magic. And it was like, and then the Magic guys were mad at me. And I was like, what do you want me to do? Guys, they're booing me. I had to come up with something on the fly. So yeah, that's kind of my way. Yeah, you can't win. That's my way. If I'm getting booed somewhere, I'm just going to talk about their basketball team. Well, that's a good go-to. That's a good go-to. And it's, you know, obviously it makes sense for you to say that. Exactly. So it's kind of, it's my cheat code, I guess.

1:12:05Yeah. It's a good one. It's a good one. You might come up with more stuff. Eventually. You can YouTube videos of Steph as a heel. Yeah, no. There's great stuff on there. There is. There's great stuff on there. There's great stuff on there. No doubt. But I just want to be able to, like for you, did you like, you had to do a lot of training, of course. Yeah. Like bumping and stuff. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, like for me. And my dad and my brother didn't want me to wrestle ever. And I always wanted to. And so I started training and I started learning and I convinced him. I said, you know, dad, I'm playing this character and like I'm a pretty bad, bad guy.

1:12:45Like someone's going to have to get to me at some point and I've got to know how to protect myself. And that was logical. So then I was allowed to start training. But yeah, I trained for a long time. And like what's your like craziest spot you think you've been a part of? Well, I separated my shoulder, training, learning, trying to learn how to do this, like, top wrist lock on someone's shoulders where you, like, flip them down. And it wasn't a good scene. And I didn't tuck right. And I, like, drilled my shoulder right into the mat. But, I mean, that was in training. So that was not, like, the craziest spot in a match.

1:13:19Rhonda? God, I haven't thought about that. You went through a table. Yeah, I went through a table. Yeah. Yep. WrestleMania. Is that the only time you went through a table? Yeah, it was my first table. Isn't that crazy? I would have thought I would have gone through more tables Trust me, you know how many times I've tried to convince your husband to let me go through a table or do something? Tonight's the night Every time I say it I'm like Okay, so like what if we Like let's really talk I'm talking, I'm doing all your commentary for you and all your pre-shows Put me through a table Is that so much to ask?

1:13:56That's such a normal request The NBA would never let us. I said, who cares? I don't have to ask them. Like, I tell our front office that all the time because I'm like, I'm going to be like, you're not. You do anything? I'm like, no. But if I was, you would never know because you would tell me I couldn't do it. So I'm a big believer in ask for forgiveness, not permission. So I'm going to eventually, I'm going to get annoying enough that he's going to let me do something. So the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Yeah, exactly. I mean, you do. You have to kind of be relentless. We're going to do something.

1:14:28I don't know what it is. I'm going to jump off the top. I would love. I feel like that's my cheat code. Jump off the top rope into a crowd of like 10 guys standing up. All right. Catch me. Right? So I think tonight when you're sitting out there in the audience, Kane's music should hit. Yeah, no. He runs out. Here comes Mayor Jacobs. Yes. And he grabs you and just choke slams you through a table. And then pyro. You guys have no idea how terrifying I would. I wouldn't even get out the car. I would not get out the car. Because I think we went to a meet and greet at the time. Because Shelton Benjamin was Intercontinental Champion.

1:15:08Right. And I think he was in a rivalry with Kane. Okay. So I was like, I cannot go in there. Because Kane is after Shelton. And if Kane comes for Shelton while we're there, like. What's going to happen to me now? Like, I can't. I'll be a target for sure. Yeah, yeah. Too small. Yeah, yeah, no, no. So that's definitely why. And I was terrified. Like, my dad still laughs about it to this day. He's like, we had to drag you out of the car. Like, you wouldn't get, I was like, I was. That's so cute. Yeah, I would not get out of the car. And how much younger is your younger brother? A year. Oh, just a year.

1:15:42Yeah, only a year younger. Yeah, yeah. So he used to come to everything with me, too. And he's like, why are you so scared? Exactly. That's exactly what he was doing. because he's the kid who did everything I wouldn't. So he loves being outside. He's a great swimmer. He loves riding his bike. I was going to say that. He's just the opposite of me. He is that. So, yeah. But is he like a little bit of a heel in real life? Yes. Okay, all right. Now we really got it. He don't like talking like that. He just kind of like goes in the flow. He's just, yeah, we're very different people. One of the things I also read is that you were 6 '5", 155 pounds.

1:16:23When was that? And now you've put on 40 pounds. Well, I'm like 208 right now. Oh, yeah. All right. I'm not running. I can't run. That's the only reason I'm that heavy. Run with it. Yeah, exactly. 208. But that was the day I got to college. Wow. When I was 18, 6 '5", 155. That is not a lot of mass. Oh, no. That's why he couldn't do his laundry. Huh? That's why he couldn't do his laundry. He didn't have any energy. Oh, my God. Exactly. Couldn't lift it. Yeah, but my body. I literally. I need the cheerleaders to help. Our strength coach, Pete Link. Shout out to Link. He would make me eat 24-7. Like, I couldn't even, like, be in front of him without eating.

1:17:11Like, it was like. It was so hard. Good job. It was so horrible. Yeah. Like I used to, he used to have the big protein, like he would make these protein shakes, strawberry, banana, protein powder, all this stuff. And it'd be like 30, 32 ounces. That sounds right. Like 32 ounces is pretty big. Yeah. Two water bottles. 32 ounces. And I would probably drink three of those a day. Like protein shake. Damn. Three of them a day. Ooh. Three. And like some days four. and then it would be like, he'd be like, before you go to bed, go to the dining hall and just go get a full pizza. Eat a full pizza right before you go to bed.

1:17:47So you're not like, I would like to be on this plan. I'm taking this advice. Yeah. For sure. So I would just eat, eat, eat all the time. And by the time the year started, I was like 175, 180. All right. So I gained like 20 pounds that summer. I mean, that's a lot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I have learned that during season and during, like it started kind of like when I got to NBA, like maybe right before I got to NBA, I lose a lot of weight during the season because I have a chef when I'm home. It's easy for me at home. But when we're on the road, I am so bad about eating. Say on a normal game day, I'll eat breakfast at 10 in the morning.

1:18:25We'll go to shoot around. I'll come back. Most guys take their pregame nap. I will just sit. I play video games before games, so sit and play video games. I'll lose track of time, and it'll be like 3 o 'clock. I got to get dressed, shower. No time to eat. Yeah, go to the game. I might eat like a little cut of like a Jersey Mike sub. I always eat goldfish, a bag of goldfish. That's 60 minutes on the clock every game. So I eat a bag of goldfish. Okay, so that's your superstition. That's my superstition. A bag of goldfish is 60 minutes on the clock. It's an orange thing? No, that's Drew. That's Drew saying always look at the hoop.

1:18:59Right. So he always is like trying to be a sarcastic. He's an asshole. So he's trying to be a sarcastic. So he'll say look at the orange thing. That's what that is. Okay, okay, okay. But he stacked a bunch of orange things outside your door one day, right? Yeah, so I always have a ton of goldfish at my house. So he took all the goldfish and all my orange Reese's Puffs, everything, put it in front of my door during the playoffs. Like, look at the orange thing. That's hilarious. Yes, that's what he does. But I'll eat that bagel fish at 60 minutes on the clock, and I won't eat again. I'll play the game.

1:19:26I'll be hungry after the game, but I'll be so high strung from the game. Right, your adrenaline. I won't wind down. And then by the time I shower, get to the plane, I'll have a protein shake. By the time I get to the plane, I'm like, dang, I'm kind of hungry. But then I'm like. It's so late. Yeah. I'm like, I'll eat a bag. I'll eat like some Oreos or something. And then we'll land at home and I'll get home. And, you know, chef made dinner for Jade. She didn't make dinner for me because she thinks I should have ate. Right. I told her I was going to eat. And I'll get to the house and I'm like. Damn, I'm hungry.

1:19:58I am starving. And I'll eat a bowl of cereal and I'll go to bed. And so I barely, like, during the season, I, like, really struggle with being able to eat. It's hard for our talent, too, being on the road so much. For sure. Yeah. Because he's like, yeah, it's tough. Like, by the time the, like, I started the year last year at 195. And before game seven, the last game of the year, I was like 182, 183. So, like. So you have to bulk up. Yeah, exactly. So I've gained, like, 25 pounds since the season ended. You're just getting ready. I feel like a lot of it is I just, yeah, exactly. A lot of it is I just can't run right now.

1:20:33Yeah. You know, like think about how much I run. You're not burnt. Yeah, exactly. Every day. Yeah. And like to not be doing any of that is like, so I keep joking. I'm in my dad bod season right now. Got a little gut going. Hardly. Yeah, yeah. Hardly. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. So is there a favorite cereal that's a go-to? Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Reese's Puffs for sure. Yeah, those are sugary cereals. I love sugary cereals. People are like, eat Cheerio. No. No. Come on, nothing even remotely healthy. And I grew up like cereal was like a lifestyle for me. Yeah, same with me. I grew up with cereal for breakfast.

1:21:10Two bowls in the morning while I watched SportsCenter, two bowls in the morning, two bowls after school, and a bowl before bed. Like I'm five bowls in a day. Wow. And then you changed that to shakes. Yes. Yes, exactly. So if you go in my pantry at my house right now, it's just like every cereal you could think of is in there. That's my snacks or cereal, yeah. That's so cool. Yeah, yeah. I'm a kid still, so it doesn't change. Aren't we all? I hope you never grow up. Yeah, never. Yeah. Me too. Me too. All right. Well, thank you so much. Of course. Tyrese, this has just been amazing. Yeah. I look forward to witnessing your first table bump.

1:21:46Yeah. And seeing where your career takes you, where your life takes you. You have so much ahead of you with your beautiful fiance. I mean, it's just an incredible time for you. Thank you. And I couldn't be more excited for you. I appreciate that. Thank you so much. Thank you. And now it's time for Wrestlepalooza. Yes, let's do it. All right, go get you some food. Yeah, I can't wait.