The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Candace Parker Talks 'The Can-Do Mindset,' WNBA, Retirement, Relationship, Dr.Umar, Stephen A. +More

Episode Date: June 3, 2025

Today on The Breakfast Club, Candace Parker Talks 'The Can-Do Mindset,' WNBA, Retirement, Relationship, Dr.Umar, Stephen A. Listen For More!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an iHeart podcast. Thanks for having me, y'all. How you feeling this morning? Nice being in the room, goodness. Man, nice having you. You know, you're one of those people, like you know people always say like, who would you ever want to interview? And you'd really be like, I don't know. Cause you can't really think of nobody. But then when you see you on the schedule, you're like, oh shit, Candace Parker. I'd love to have a conversation with Candace Parker.

Well, I appreciate you. But I really enjoyed your book, The Can Do Mindset, How to Cultivate Resilience, Follow Your Heart and Fight For Your Passions. Can you break down why you called it the can-do mindset? Yeah, growing up, nickname Can, short for Candace, you know that. But my mom, I grew up with two older brothers,

eight and 11 years older than me. And fast forward, my oldest brother played 10 years professionally, played alongside LeBron for years. My middle brother became a doctor, and so I just saw these enormous role models that were doing so many great things, and I think sometimes I doubted myself. And so my mom, from the time I was little,

two, three years old, she'd always see the doubt in my eye, and she'd always be like, can do. And it just became my mantra, and it became my voice in my head. And I mean, it took me through high school, knocking down game-winning free throws to shoot even now and so then it became an acronym for community authenticity navigating negativity loving the dash which is the

journey in between and seizing and creating opportunity. Well congratulations on August 25th year Jersey will be retired well deserved how does that feel? To go back home to Chicago I grew up in Naperville and I grew up a Chicago Bulls fan. I mean, they won six championships in the 90s when I was living there. And so it became synonymous with winning. So to go back and play basketball in front of the people

that first saw me pick up a ball and then to win a championship in front of the people that first saw me play basketball, I don't think, I mean that was super special. I couldn't have written it any better. I think first you dream of a championship being up in the rafters and second you dream of your jersey as well. I think it was in the authenticity section of the book you were talking about being competitive

right and how people don't let women be competitive the way that the men are. So when you see, and I know you get this all the time, but when you see the Katelyn Angel rivalry or whatever you wanna call it, isn't that just women being competitive? I think it's women being competitive, but honestly, I think that the more visibility you get,

the more scrutiny you're gonna get. I mean, that's just nature. As women, I think society always tries to put you in a box. So as athletes, we fit outside that box. You know, you're either too muscular, you're not competitive enough, but then when you show competitive nature, it's not ladylike.

So whatever you do, as a woman, I feel like until we break that mold in society, where it's like okay for us to be fierce competitors, I think you're always gonna have a different narrative. And so yeah, I look at it like it's competitive and it's two people going at it. And sometimes I think it's overblown. Sometimes I think that like you're making a basketball play and then there's 15 angles from different cameras that try to,

you know, make it something it's not. So, I don't know. I'm just excited where women's sports is in general right now because people are talking about it. People know the names. People are following the brands. And a lot of it has to do with the visibility of it. Women's sports has always been there.

It's just a matter of people tuning in and paying attention. And I think organizations, broadcasters, all that giving it a chance to succeed. Not putting it head to head up against NFL. Not putting it head to head up against finals or MLB or whatever. And so I think now we're seeing more women's basketball

and because of that, I think that's why it's grown. The reason I ask that, I mean I watch a lot of women's basketball and I've been watching Angel since college so since even that Caitlin incident I've seen her and Aaliyah Thomas have a little kerfuffle like she's always getting into it with somebody but it's not the same reaction from people. It's just to me it's just like women out there playing ball they're being competitive. And I think ball players know that but now you're getting the casual fans that don't

understand that type of basketball so I think it players know that, but now you're getting the casual fans that don't understand that type of basketball. So I think it's a competitive nature. Now, are there things that cross the line? Yes. Are there comments and discussions behind things that cross the line? 100%. And I think we have to get that under control,

but to me, I think half the time it's more competitive than anything. But there's rivalry as well. I remember you know Reggie Miller with the choke sign we you know we still want action with him regardless. It's still things that's gonna make the press push it a little more. You said we hear Nick fan. By the way I'm sorry man. I'm sorry about what happened. Yeah it's okay though. It's okay. Can I see you say maybe next year? Listen I'm a Bulls fan so you know we're at. Oh y'all been about it. Y'all better can't call me. What is the saying if you're not first or last?

So technically, we weren't even in the playoffs, so it's okay. I wanted to ask, you dominated the WNBA broadcaster, mom, author. Which was the most difficult journey and why? Motherhood is a journey that is the greatest gift, gives you the most rewarding feeling, but it's also the hardest job that you can have. You think you have it figured out and then you have another kid, or you think you have it figured out and there's another stage of life. I have a 16-year-old daughter, a three-year-old son, and a one-year-old son.

And they are all different, and they have all taught me so many different lessons. And I'm just super grateful for not only what I'm able to bring to the table and what I teach them, but the lessons they've taught me. Like, they have humbled me so many times. They have checked me so many times. They have made me look myself in the mirror

and ask myself, am I doing what I'm asking them to do? And so I think motherhood is one of I doing what I'm asking them to do? And so I think motherhood is one of those things where I'm just so grateful for it. I'm so grateful for my daughter and what, us being able to kind of go through my career and grow up together and fumble and bump and live across the water and all of those things.

And then I'm super grateful to be able to now take a moment with my sons and be able to have a different type of perspective in motherhood and parenthood. What's a moment in motherhood that made you feel more powerful than any championship ever did? Was it when you finally got her hair right? You know it's so interesting, she's 16 now, she's just got her permit.

She's getting ready for her super sweet 16 that's coming next week and honestly, She's getting ready for her super sweet 16. That's coming next week. And honestly, I think it's just those moments where she comes and climbs in my bed and we watch a TV show and we're able to have those like just conversations about what's on her mind and things like that. So that to me is like, it's not the big things, it's not the celebrations, it's not all of those things. It's like those little moments for me

that make me super grateful for our relationship. I love the way you broke that down in the Fumble chapter, though, because it's just like, I got four daughters. So I've seen that struggle, first hand. But I've never seen nobody really talk about how stressful it is to want to get your daughter's hair correct. When I tell you, so growing up,

it was like my mom, my hair was always laid. Like it was like, she would tell me, no, we're not having everybody talk about how you look crazy. I had the barrettes, I had the braids, I was the little girl and her only girl. So I was dressed, you know, all those things. And, you know, I think all of the black girls out there can understand Frye died late at the side. I mean, I had relaxer at six years old. So when it came to like my

daughter's hair, I kind of took those same kind of foundation from the black mom mentality of trying to control and my daughter has taught me like she loves her hair she wants to wear it in her natural style she wants to try different things and I've had to kind of like take a backseat and learn to not try to control there are some days where I you know I let her do what she wants to do with it, and it has become a process and it has become something that I have learned to kind of take a backseat for, and I'm grateful for her for teaching me that.

What part of your personality do you think was misunderstood the most during your playing career, and this book helped you to, I guess, reclaim the narrative? What's so crazy to me is I think when you're going through just trying to figure stuff out, you're just trying to figure shit out. That's what you're trying to do, but you're going through life trying to mask it.

And for so many parts of my life, during some of my greatest triumphs, winning championships, winning MVPs, I was going through struggles behind the scenes within motherhood and balancing that, within relationships, within trying to figure out how to be authentic in who I am. And I think the person that I became in that process and who I was for my teammates wasn't always great.

It wasn't always who I was. And so I think through writing this book, it has helped me better understand who I want to be, who I commit to be, but also giving myself grace through those moments. Because I think sometimes we show up and we feel like we have to be this at work, but we're still not ourselves.

And the people around us know that. And then they start treating us like those people that we aren't. And then it just snowballs out of control. So I think who I am, people may have had a different idea. You know what I mean? And I wasn't always proud of the way that I treated my teammates or how I showed up to work every day.

But sometimes when you're just trying to show up and you're trying to make it, you know, that's the best that you can do. So I think I kind I kinda went through that and processed that in writing this book. What was the most difficult thing you had to write in the book? The one difficult thing was you thought about maybe I should take out, or you cried,

or it was that hard. It's really difficult to tell stories that need to be told that aren't going to paint certain people in a positive light. And I think I struggle with that because I like to take the blame. I like to take the onus on myself. In games and losses and miss shots and whatever, I like to say that I've always had a part in whatever happens.

And so writing this, it's trying to figure out how do you tell these stories and how do you tell it where it's your story to tell? Whereas you're not telling somebody else's story because I was very conscious of that. So just kind of talking about like my parents divorce and talking about, you know, leaving the sparks, the LA sparks and deciding to go to Chicago, talking about my wife.

And then also like near and dear to my heart, like Coach Summit, my coach in college passed away in 2016 Talking about my wife and then also like near and dear to my heart like coach summit My coach in college passed away in 2016 and kind of navigating that and what to share What's intimate that I need to keep with myself to myself and what can I share and would I have her blessing in sharing? You know has your greatness ever made you feel isolated like people only saw Cand Candace Parker the player but not Candace Parker the person? You know what's so crazy? You know in basketball there's like a finite time. Right, the ball is gonna eventually stop bouncing.

You know, Father Tom, I mean LeBron has kind of proven that's not the case, but for most of us. But it's like, your identity becomes the game. Like you keep the main thing the main thing. That's been my gift my whole life. Basketball has been the main thing. I gave up prom, like left prom to go to basketball, lived abroad to play basketball.

But it's like when you retire, your identity of the who and the what is separated. And you realize like the people that really saw you for who you are versus what you did. And so I think that was the biggest struggle for me is like, everybody has that morning that death after you retire. I mean, I love basketball. It was my first love.

And so I think, yeah, like separating my identity from that. And I was very conscious of trying to show people like I am a history buff. I love to travel, I'm a foodie, I love wine, tequila connoisseur, like all of those things I'm so much more than just basketball. And so having that separation I know is like huge for athletes. It is a struggle like talking to people that have retired and have gone and walked that path because it is a death a little bit. Jealousy. Who else you grieved at? My family.

Honestly, my wife, I'll say my brother as well. My oldest brother went through this and he seamlessly transitioned. I planned the transition ahead of time. I started commentating, gosh, way back in 2015, 2016 know I started commentating um gosh way back in 2015-2016 I started transitioning. I started doing more business and paying attention and wanting to be at the table and in meetings and things like that. So the transition occurred before it officially the ball officially stopped bouncing but boy there were days where I'd wake up and it's just like you miss that feeling of walking in and 18,000 people are screaming your name and like the feeling of like your

family's identity is that. Like they plan their summers around when my games were or trips or you know. You've been doing it since a kid though. You've been doing it since and it's crazy because you realize although I don't like attention, that's not what I play basketball for, it's an event. You go play, everybody watches you play. It is the attention your parents give you.

It is, and then afterwards, everybody's like, where are we going to eat? You go eat. Then it's like, you know, and it's like, you don't realize how much of that is a part of your life. And so for me, I think that was the hardest thing. But like I said, I have my family we had my son last year and he just he just was like he had the ability to make me stop

and realize like that's where I was supposed to be I've always been 15 million different places and so I think honestly my son Hart made me really appreciate retirement because I got to enjoy all the little things. Jealous is not the right word, but do you ever get jealous or feel away when you look at the way WNBA players are treated now than when you guys played? I just remember like two, three years ago

and I was on a plane flying from Atlanta and there were some players from the Atlanta team and they were in the back of the plane and they couldn't get first class seats and they were riding and they were struggling and they even said, Envy, talk about this on the radio. Now when you see them start to fly private and they start to make a little more money,

they start to make endorsements, do you ever feel a way like, damn? You got to feel a little bit of that. You know what is so crazy though? I'm like the biggest Steph Curry fan. You remember when he signed that deal? It was like a $40 million deal years ago. And everybody, no, no, no, it was for the NBA.

It was right after his ankle injury. And everybody kept asking him about it because it was right during their run in 2015. And he was like, I never count another man's pocket. Like, that's just not what I do. I feel like that's the purpose. Like if we didn't leave it better, what are we doing? Like I don't want them to have to go through

what we went through, but I also know that Cheryl Miller, who never got to step foot in the WNBA, didn't want me to not have a league to play in. Do you know what I mean? And so I think like, yes, sometimes would it have made, would I have scored more points if we had a private flight waiting for, would I have made more, would I have made what I scored more points if we had a private flight waiting for what I ought to mean More what I have made more like school performances if I could get back the night of the game and been able to sleep

And rest and recover what I probably had a lot fewer injuries 100% but I feel like I'm proud because I know my name will be mentioned in in the Conversation of those that made it possible today. Like made the things possible today. I remember flying commercial in premium plus in a middle seat next to Sylvia Fowles going to play them in the game five of the WNBA finals. We like wrestled over the armrests.

I won, but like they won the game, but I won the armrest battle. And I remember thinking, this isn't how it's supposed to be. But now on the other side, I want ownership. I want to own a team. I want to be a part of that in making it better as well. So I can't count another woman's pocket. I don't want to, I've done one myself and the ability to take care of my family

and have all the opportunities I have today because of the Cheryl Millers and the Nancy Liebermans and Shemeco Holstgals and all those that came before me. And your 16 year career, did you feel the difference? So I always ask my aunt this question, right? Cause my aunt, like they're older, like 87 years old. So they lived, they were in school during segregation. So now they know a integrated world.

Did you feel the difference? Oh, I felt the difference a hundred percent. But I also felt the difference in the ebbs and flows. Like they were some, there was one year where the WBA signed a deal with the Holiday Inn Express. And every time I would walk into the Holiday Inn Express, the fans would be. The American West with Dan Flores is the latest show from the MeatEater podcast network, hosted by me, writer and historian Dan Flores, and brought to you by Velvet Buck.

This podcast looks at a West available nowhere else. Each episode, I'll be diving into some of the lesser known histories of the West. I'll then be joined in conversation by guests such as Western historian Dr. Randall Williams and bestselling author and meat eater founder, Stephen Rannella. I'll correct my kids now and then where they'll say when cave people were here. And I'll say, it seems like the Ice Age people that were here didn't have a real affinity for caves. So join me starting Tuesday, May 6th, where we'll delve into stories of the West and come to understand how it helps inform the ways in which we experience the region today. Listen to The American West with Dan Flores on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or

wherever you get your podcasts. Like, what are you doing here? You know what I mean? So I've been a part of the WNBA at the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. And I talk about it a lot in the book about the WNBA and the business plan that needs to happen to continue this growth and to foster this growth because I just, that was what I had an issue with for so long, like scare money doesn't make money.

In order to have something, you have to invest in it and you have to invest properly. And I think now we're getting billionaires that see and have the mindset and the business savvy. And it's about competition. You see like Vegas had a practice facility, now New York wants a practice facility, then Phoenix has a, like competition is what started

the NBA, you look at that. Like Johnny Buss wanted a championship team because of Red Arbok. Like that's what facilitates growth. And so I think the WBA is finally catching up to that. Do you think the world has truly reckoned with how different your career would be if you were a man with the exact same talent?

I talk about it a lot. McDonald's All-American 2004, Dwight Howard and myself, we were the number one players. I was women's, he was men's. And I actually, there's a blurb in the book where him and I went to prom when I was in high school and our trajectories Were so different after that day and I was angry I remember being angry cuz like inside my house my mom and dad you can do and be anything and you know at that

Point you couldn't have NIL money. So I'm watching, you know, my quotes be on shirts sold I'm watching everybody in Knoxville wearing my journey, and I'm eating Papa John's before games, because the school can't even pay for my meal, because it was illegal at the time. And so in the book, I talk about kind of like, I was really upset because yes, he's 6'10", big, strong, but he had this league laid out that was already growing, that had already been through the growing pains

of what I was about to go through. And then I just was like, my left hand is better than his. And so I was mad, because I was like, he has this league to go develop and use his name and image and likeness. And I have to wait four years, go abroad, and compete in a league that was, geez, 20 years young. Wow, wow.

Another part of the book I love, you know, it was interesting to read about how you came to grow to love your wife, right? And it had me thinking, what, cause you did like guys, so it had me thinking like, what else about yourself did you realize this just isn't me?

What's so interesting is I think I've spent my entire life standing out. And somehow in that process, sometimes I did things just to stand out and not really listen to myself and who I wanted to be. And that's kind of opposite of what I've always tried to live by. And for a long time, it took my daughter really being like, are you happy?

You know, for me to really look myself in the mirror and say, am I just going through the motions? And at 20 years old, I don't think you realize how long 20 years or 30 years or 40 years is, right? And just kind of gritting your teeth and getting through things is what I had grown accustomed to. And I think it was allowing myself to be open. I always grew up envisioning myself with a Prince Charming, always.

I never, in a million years, when I'd do those little trashy magazine things, I would always talk about Prince Charming, always. I never, in a million years, when I do those little trashy magazine things, I would always talk about Prince Charming and it's crazy because sometimes life hands you things and packages that you least anticipate it coming in and that's what happened with my wife. I mean she's my best friend and she's been there through the ups and downs and I think it was about like her and I both being like, wait a minute, like are we allowing other people's

judgments to dictate the next 30 or 40 years? Like I'm gonna allow my Instagram followers to really determine who I say good morning to and who I say good night to every single night. And I had to take a step back because I really don't care what people think, but then I really did. And so it was kind of just like that evaluation and looking myself in the

mirror. When did you realize? What was that moment? When I didn't fight it? I would say we were at a museum. I'm a big like nerd. I love like all types of museums and it was her mind like it was her knowledge and like just her ability to carry a conversation and my brother said something when when her and I got married my brother said something that really stuck out to me and he said you know Candace needs somebody that's strong enough to put her in her place but soft enough where she feels vulnerable and an ability to like kind of like lay lay your head on your shoulder and be that vulnerable person. And when I realized I was doing that where I, you know, she would say stuff

and I wouldn't have any response. And at first some of my friends were like, hold on, who is she? You know what I mean? Because that's not normally what happens. And then the same thing where I would That's not normally what happens. And then the same thing where I would confess things that were bothering me or have issues and be comfortable enough to share. I think that's when I noticed. Did the people in your life know how difficult it was for you to keep, I guess, her a secret?

Because I mean, in the book, I got frustrated when you was talking about how you wanted to tell your brother, but you didn't tell your brother. I'm like, just tell him, he loves you, you know? But did they know or are they gonna read this book and realize for the first time? Like damn, I didn't know it was that serious.

I've been on the other side of it, where I've been the person that has been like, everybody knows, just say it, just tell him. But I think everybody comes to grips with it at a different time. I know we live in a world that has Pride Month and has all of these things, but it is scary because you are put in another category.

You know, I'm already in two. So now I'm gonna be put in a third and with someone that isn't black. She's Russian and white. And so, I mean, I think it's one of those things where it's like, what am I getting myself into? And I know my family's gonna love me, but I have always done things to separate myself and excel and be a role model and be an example.

And I think at that first moment, I'm like, are my nieces and nephews gonna be allowed to come out and visit me? Like, are, is my family going to accept her? When we have children, are they going to look at them as their grandkids or? So there's all these questions and things you go back and forth with in your head. And I know it seems easy, especially when you're not and you're looking at the world and you're like, Oh, well, it's so open and accepting. But it's like you never sat there and seen the glances of like, you know, people judging

or you know, you never walked in the rooms and you know, heard voices give you validation, but you hear whispers behind you like, oh, you know, she's just like them or she's, you know, whatever. And so I think that's the biggest thing is my brother was amazing throughout the entire process. My family was great, but my wife's parents didn't talk to her for almost a year. You know, like we had family members

that we have separated ourselves from because in front, with my family and with my kids, this is the standard. Like this is how we're gonna be treated. And so there had to be, we couldn't go through this process ourselves and help others go through it. So we had to do it ourselves, be okay with it, be strong enough, and then go forward with it.

You can't rush it. The sexuality part was one aspect of it, but you also talked about the race aspect of it. You really cared what Dr. Umar thought that much? You also talked about the race aspect of it. You really cared what Dr. Umar thought that much? No, but it is, it's a different dynamic when you walk it. You know what I mean? First of all, even with our kids,

it's like they have a black mom and a white mom, and it's navigating the race element and the conversations we've grown up in two completely different countries. So having those conversations, like she's not coming from a place of understanding through experience. And so like even so, you know,

we're confident and we're cool within our household, but it's like you don't understand the other noise that's going, could mess that up, if that makes sense. Have there ever been a time where you dimmed your light to make others feel comfortable, especially in rooms full of men? 100%. You know, it's so funny, I was sitting, I was sitting on the shop and it was with Draymond Green, Bron was there, Mav was there, and they were like, you know, people don't understand what it's like to be a black man and be the only one in the meeting.

And I was looking around like, like what? Y'all really just said that, like read the room. You know what I mean? So I think sometimes you have to pick your battles a little bit. As a teammate, my job is to make those around me better. So same thing when you're sitting at these tables.

Like the point isn't to make people feel stupid or feel small. The point is to make them understand the need for different voices at the table. And I would say diversity of thought, you know? And you know, I've sat at so many tables and been the only. I'm comfortable, but I'm tired of being the only, right? Like when I went into TNT as the only female on that set,

you know, a lot of people think, hey, I want you, you know, you trying to be one of the guys. Like, no, I'm trying to be one of the players. That's it, so treat me as such. The way I see the game is way different than Shaq. Shaq, throw the ball down low. Barbecue chicken, Shaq, other people have to do moves. We can't just, we just can't,

yes, but like the way he played was just so dominant that he doesn't understand that people have to do stuff to score. He's like, just throw it down there and score. And it's like, Kat can't do that. He's not, do you know what I mean? I'm not saying, but Kat can't do that. D Wade and I, we can't do that.

We have to do moves and use the mental aspect and element of it But I feel like the value that is brought to the table if you had 15 shacks What? You know as analysts, but he brings Value to the equation because he was so dominant and it gives you a bird's-eye view of like dominance And so I just think anytime you have Different people at the table, you're going to bring

different perspectives. Like why not? And so it just drives me crazy. I watched first take. I like Stephen A Smith. He's super knowledgeable about the game, but like the people that comment under my, my posts about how I'm a woman, I never played in the NBA and I should shut the F up and what they are like, Stephen A. Smith has the Bible

for the NBA, and it's like he hasn't even played either. But it's just because, you know, he's a man. And so I just am continuing to fight that stigma. I'm open for the challenge, I'm up for it. Grew up with two older brothers, all we did was make fun of each other. So I'm game, I can speak that language, but it's just having the opportunity to like separate myself

Like don't like me as an analyst, but don't not like me because I'm a woman. That's my thing Was there ever a moment when you I know I know she got a goal Was there ever a moment that you wanted to give the game up at all? There was a moment in the middle of my career where I asked myself Are you having fun because I always had fun playing basketball. It wasn't about the money, it wasn't about the stage, it wasn't about who was in the chair. I would have fun shooting after practice by myself in the gym.

But in the middle of my career when I was going through all those injuries and hadn't won a championship yet and I was super stressed, yeah, I thought about it. And I think it's one of those things where it's like your first love, it never leaves your heart. Like you always find your way back to it. And even though I'm not hooping now, I'm brainwashing my sons to hoop. My daughter's volleyball, but park boys are coming.

I'm telling you, 6'10", 6'11", point forward. Seven, we got a brown body type and a wimpy. So we coming. 6'10", 6'11", point forward, seven. We got a brown body type in a Wimby, so we coming. Let it be known right here, we coming. You said something just not, the perspective thing is ill about what you said about Shaq. Cause it's just like, yes, he was probably the most dominant player we've ever seen.

So he only knows that. He thinks it's so easy. Barbecue chicken. And I'm like, Shaq, it's not barbecue chicken. If it was the case we would have, people would just do what you do. Like it just doesn't work that way. And so I just, I don't know.

He is brilliant in his own right. It's just, people can't play the game that way. Yeah. Two more quick questions. Is there a WNBA teammate you didn't appreciate in the moment, but now you realize that person was vital? That's a really really really great question. I would say I appreciated her in the moment, but I don't think I appreciated her enough in the moment. I would say Definitely Delisha Milton-Jones. I think she's someone that was in the league for such a long time.

She had such an amazing career, longevity, won championships with the Sparks, played different roles, played key roles, came off the bench. She did it all. And so I think she genuinely wanted me to succeed. And I was a rookie when she was there and we got in some brawls alongside. She beat me up in practice, coming off screens,

and it was like all that was tough love, because she loved me. My last question, and you talk about a lot of things in the book, but what's something you haven't forgiven yourself for yet, even if nobody else knows about it? I would say I struggled for a long time in the closing seconds of games mentally.

Wow. I did because the results didn't work out for me. I talk about that a lot in this book about how naive I was my rookie year. We lost by a last second shot. Nine years later, I was still losing by last second shots. And I felt myself in those moments tense up when prior I would relish in those moments. Like I would be, I'd want the ball and I would find myself shying away from those moments because I had conceded to the fact that it was just not going to work out.

It took my brother, it took me finally realizing how to relinquish results and just live in the process, the dash, enjoying the journey. It took a Kobe Bryant text message to me that was like, it's better the hard way. You don't die with bullets in the chamber, right? Like you go down shooting. And it was that text message and just the support from my family and friends

that allowed me to win the championship. And it came down to the closing moments. And in those moments, I just played. And it coulda not worked out, it coulda worked out. But I just, since that time, when I lose, I'm not in bed for four or five days. Like, I'm gonna commit to the process, I'm gonna commit to the grind.

I'm gonna honestly try to stay at that, like, even-keeled mentality, and that's in life as well. And I wholeheartedly believe things will work out the way that they need to. All right. Candace Parker, ladies and gentlemen. Candace Parker, can't do mindset. Out right now. Go get it.

Thank you so much. We appreciate you. I appreciate you. All right. When the season starts back up, check in on us. Come on up here. We'd love to talk to you. Say less.

And WAAB season is out right now, so come talk to us. It's Candace Parker. It's The Breakfast Club. Good morning. Wake that It's Candace Parker, it's The Breakfast Club. Good morning. Wake that ass up. Early in the morning. The Breakfast Club. This is an iHeart Podcast.