… When I learned I had HCM, I was in shock. I was a top athlete and had never had any symptoms or signs of a heart problem. At this point, I was unable to continue my basketball career at that school and was devastated. My mom and I researched the disease and found Dr. Michael Ackerman of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, a cardiologist who specializes in HCM who had previously worked with athletes like me. He worked with me to better understand my diagnosis and ultimately helped determine that I could continue playing basketball safely. I ended up transferring to Baylor University before the start of my freshman year to play for the Baylor Bears.
As a part of our “Unstoppable” series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jared Butler.
Jared Butler, a native of Reserve, Louisiana, is in his first year playing for the NBA, currently with the Utah Jazz. When Butler was 18 and about to start his college basketball career, he was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, during a required routine physical examination. After working with his doctor, it was determined that he could continue playing basketball safely, and he attended Baylor University to play for the Bears. In 2021, during his junior year at Baylor, Butler became the first consensus All-America First Team selection in program history after leading the Bears to a NCAA National Championship. Butler was also named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player in the same year.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! It is really an honor. Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
I grew up in a small town in Louisiana and am the youngest of three siblings. I’ve always been competitive and diligent in everything I do, whether that’s my schoolwork or playing basketball. Throughout my life, the game of basketball has allowed me to maintain a strong work ethic and taken me to great places. I’ve really enjoyed being able to sharpen my skills and see all the hard work pay off. It’s a dream come true to be able to make a career out of the sport I love so much.
Do you feel comfortable sharing with us the story surrounding how you became diagnosed with HCM? What mental shift did you make to not let that “stop you?”
I was 17 and about to start my college basketball career when I was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) during a routine physical examination. For background, HCM is a lifelong heart condition, though many people with HCM don’t even know they have it. HCM is often misdiagnosed or can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other conditions. These symptoms can include fainting, shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pains, rapid heartbeat and dizziness.
When I learned I had HCM, I was in shock. I was a top athlete and had never had any symptoms or signs of a heart problem. At this point, I was unable to continue my basketball career at that school and was devastated. My mom and I researched the disease and found Dr. Michael Ackerman of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, a cardiologist who specializes in HCM who had previously worked with athletes like me. He worked with me to better understand my diagnosis and ultimately helped determine that I could continue playing basketball safely. I ended up transferring to Baylor University before the start of my freshman year to play for the Baylor Bears.
Can you tell our readers about the accomplishments you have been able to make despite your HCM condition?
Jared’s a bit too modest to discuss his accomplishments but here’s what we found:
He played basketball with the Baylor Bears throughout his college basketball career. As a freshman, he received an honorable mention in the All-Big 12 Conference with the league’s All-Freshman team. He was also named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week in 2019 and 98th-best collegiate basketball player going into the 2019–20 season by CBS Sports. During his junior year at Baylor in 2021, he became the first consensus All-America First Team selection in program history after leading the Bears to a NCAA National Championship. He was also named the 2021 Final Four Most Outstanding Player and The Associated Press Big 12 player of the year.
Later in 2021, he entered the NBA Draft and was selected by the Utah Jazz, where he plays today.
What advice would you give to other people who have HCM?
What I’ve learned since my diagnosis is that HCM can impact people in different ways. I’m very fortunate to be able to continue my basketball career, but every case of HCM is different, so you should talk to your doctor to determine the best path forward for your health.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are?
A few people come to mind: First my parents, especially my mom who actually carries the genes associated with HCM; both have been supportive throughout my medical journey and path to the NBA. I’m also very lucky to have Dr. Ackerman be my cardiologist and help monitor my HCM so that I am able to continue to play basketball.
How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?
I’ve recently partnered with Bristol Myers Squibb to raise awareness of HCM and help others who may be living with this disease through the Could it Be HCM campaign and HCM Awareness Day, which will be observed on February 23. By bringing awareness to HCM, I hope to advance understanding of the impact of this disease.
Can you share “5 things I wish people understood or knew about people with HCM” and why.
Five things I wish people understood about HCM is that:
HCM is a lifelong heart condition, though many people with HCM don’t even know they have it.
HCM is often misdiagnosed or can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other conditions. These symptoms can include fainting, shortness of breath, tiredness, chest pains, rapid heartbeat and dizziness.
HCM is the most common genetic heart disease and can run in families. In fact, it wasn’t until my diagnosis that my mom was tested and found that she carries the genes associated with HCM.
If someone in your family was diagnosed with HCM, you should speak to your doctor about the condition If you have HCM, your family members may want to talk to their doctor about this condition as well.
CouldItBeHCM.com provides resources to learn more about HCM.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”?
A motto I live by is “control what you can control.”
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this 🙂
This is a great question! I’d love to have a meal with former President Barack Obama because he is a trailblazer for African Americans. In addition, his poise and ability to stay calm under pressure is a very attractive trait and something I could learn from. And if I’m meeting with Barack Obama, I’d love to meet Michelle Obama too!
Unstoppable: How NBA Pro Jared Butler Overcame Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy To Achieve Success was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.