I'm on a mission. And I know the older I get, I may lose a step

Hear, O listener of time and triumph, the words of the great Shaquille O’Neal, the giant of strength and laughter, who once said: “I'm on a mission. And I know the older I get, I may lose a step or two, but it's all up in the medulla oblongata. I've got a lot up there. I've got a lot of knowledge... in this medulla oblongata.” Though spoken with humor, these words carry a profound truth — one that echoes through the ages: that wisdom endures where strength fades, and that the true power of a person lies not in their body, but in the depth of their mind and the purpose of their mission.

The meaning of this quote lies in the transition from youth to mastery, from the vigor of the body to the wisdom of the spirit. Shaquille O’Neal, once one of the most dominant athletes to walk the earth, recognizes the natural decline of physical power. Yet he reminds us that knowledge, discipline, and mental strength grow where muscle once ruled. The medulla oblongata, the part of the brain that controls the body’s life functions, becomes his symbol for enduring vitality — for even when the body weakens, the mind and will can still command, lead, and inspire. Thus, the warrior learns to fight not with force, but with wisdom.

The origin of these words reflects a moment of humility and humor in Shaquille’s long journey. In the twilight of his basketball career, he knew his steps were slower, his leaps shorter. Yet he did not speak in regret — he spoke in confidence. He understood that experience, understanding, and presence are themselves a form of power. Like the sages of old who passed from the sword to the staff, from the battlefield to the classroom, Shaquille revealed that the second half of greatness lies not in doing, but in teaching. For knowledge, once earned, becomes immortal — it lives beyond age, beyond strength, beyond the flesh.

Throughout history, this transformation has marked the passage from hero to teacher. Alexander the Great conquered the world with youth’s fire, but his teacher, Aristotle, conquered time itself with the power of thought. The warrior fades, but the philosopher endures. So too did Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor, fight with his armies in youth, then rule with reason in age, writing meditations that outlived his empire. Shaquille O’Neal’s jest mirrors that ancient truth: when the hands grow tired, the mind becomes the greater weapon. When the body slows, the soul must carry the mission forward.

And what is this mission he speaks of? It is not merely victory on the court, but the lifelong quest for self-mastery. “I’m on a mission,” he says — a declaration of purpose that transcends fame or sport. It is the mission to evolve, to never stagnate, to carry wisdom from one season of life into the next. The ancients called this arete, the pursuit of excellence in all forms. The strong man who learns is twice as mighty as the one who only conquers. For while youth may win battles, wisdom wins peace.

There is also in his words a call to accept the passage of time with grace. Too often men and women lament what they lose with age, but the wise see what they gain. The body may shed its speed, but the mind gains vision. The heart may lose its recklessness, but it gains serenity. Shaquille, in his way, reminds us that the medulla — the center of life — still beats strong. Knowledge, memory, and understanding can command a new kind of power — one that does not need applause, only purpose.

So, what lesson must you take from the wisdom of the giant? It is this: build your inner strength before your outer strength fades. Train your body while young, but feed your mind forever. Gather knowledge as you once gathered trophies. For when the fire of youth cools, the light of wisdom must rise to guide you. Never stop learning, and never stop serving your mission, whatever form it takes. The true measure of greatness is not how high one can leap, but how far one’s knowledge can reach.

Thus remember, O traveler of time: muscles may wither, but the mind endures. The heart may slow, but purpose does not. As Shaquille O’Neal said with laughter and wisdom, “It’s all up in the medulla oblongata” — meaning that within each of us lies the unbreakable spirit, the living force of knowledge. Guard it, grow it, and use it well. For when strength fades and youth departs, that sacred fire of understanding will remain — the truest victory of all.