It’s not easy dealing with arthritis. It’s easy to think that you’re alone in your pain, but over 53 million Americans share it. Some of these are even famous athletes and celebrities. Despite having arthritis, these men and women managed to overcome their condition and strive in their chosen careers. Not to mention that their job requires tremendous physical exertion. Needless to say, if these people can overcome their arthritis and succeed, then you can too. These famous athletes who have arthritis are not letting it stop their careers. In fact, many of them still live a very active lifestyle to this very day.

Shaquille O’Neal

Better known as Shaq, this 7-foot, 320-pound beast of a man is considered one of the greatest basketball centers of all time. He won four NBA championships, most notably one championship after he was diagnosed with arthritis in his toe. Before the 2002–2003 NBA season, Shaq had surgery to help his toe. It was considered successful, but through that surgery, the doctors found that he had arthritis in his toe. Despite this, he went on to have a long and lustrous career, finally retiring in 2011. Even though he retired from basketball, he still stays active by playing golf, pickup basketball, and working out.

Kristy McPherson

At the age of 7, Kristy picked up a golf club for the first time and never looked back. However, at the young age of 11, Kristy was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She found that exercise and movement techniques helped her stay pain-free, and she doesn’t let her diagnosis stop her from being an elite golf pro in the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

Dorothy Hamill

Even Olympic gold medalists get arthritis. Dorothy Hamill may have osteoarthritis in her hips, neck, and knees, but that doesn’t stop her from doing what she loves. She credits her long warm ups and stretching as the reason she can still skate five days a week in her home town of Vail, Colorado.

Sandy Koufax

Sandy Koufax was the youngest player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1964, his career was cut short by an injury to his left elbow, his pitching elbow. He developed arthritis from this injury but battled through it for a time. His fellow Dodger teammates even gave him the new nickname “Atomic Bomb,” from an ointment of red-hot chili peppers he used to dull the pain.

Kristin Armstrong

Only the second American woman to win a gold medal in cycling. A former triathlete, Kristin focused on cycling in 2001 after she was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both her hips. She continued to run and swim recreationally but made it to the Olympics as a cyclist. She says stretching and yoga keep her pain at bay for competitions.

James Braddock

Most might know the name from his nickname, “The Cinderella Man,” made even more famous through Russell Crowe’s portrayal of him in the movie of the same name. Braddock became the heavyweight world champion boxer in 1935. He defended the title in 1937, quietly battling arthritis in his hands. After his boxing career, he went on to serve in the military and train soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. After that, he went on to help with the construction of the double-decker Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in Staten Island. Never once letting his arthritis slow him down.

Kristine Holzer

Some call her the fastest woman on ice. Olympic speed skater Kristine Holzer carried a secret with her all her life. She was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. She claims that experience taught her to never take anything for granted, and obviously, she managed to come out on top.

Gordie Howe

It may be hard to believe, but what some would consider the greatest all-around player in hockey had arthritis. In 1971, he retired because of arthritis in his wrist, but after surgery, he returned to the NFL and won the Most Valuable Player award. Needless to say, he managed to come back from his arthritis diagnosis better than ever.

Jack Nicklaus

Yes, the very same world famous golfer was named “player of the century” and “player of the millennium.” He played with an injured hip for most of his career and still put up those numbers. In 1999, he had surgery to replace his hip. He has an exercise routine he does every day that keeps him playing the game today.

Wayne Gretzky

Some would call him “The Great One”. Others would call him a fighter against osteoarthritis. He was diagnosed with early signs of arthritis caused by years of playing hockey. Today, he is a spokesman for the Osteoarthritis Early Awareness Campaign.