The year was 2016 and the Cleveland Cavaliers Championship marked the first title in franchise history.

Power forward Kevin Love had just reached the mountain top.

As the son of former NBA player Stan Love, Kevin hit a career milestone and fulfilled a lifelong family dream.

But the very next year, Kevin's world came crashing down. During a timeout in the third quarter of a game, Kevin suffered a crippling panic attack, making his very private struggle with anxiety, suddenly, very public.

In the nearly nine years since, Kevin has bravely become a public advocate for mental health.

He formed the Kevin Love Foundation, which works to inspire people to live their healthiest lives

by creating equity between mental and physical health. He's created a safe

space for other athletes to also speak openly about obstacles with their own mental health.

And sadly, in recent months, Kevin suffered a heartbreaking loss with the passing of his dad.

In our conversation today, Kevin is honest, raw, and forthcoming.

I felt his emotion deep in my core, and I hope you will too.

I'm Hoda Kotby.

Welcome to my podcast, Making Space.

Music First of all, I am such, I've been a fan of you, not just of your athletic ability, but just you. You're just like that guy. So let's get, let's get into it, as you like to say. I like when you go. We're going to get into that. Let's get

into that. Let's talk about basketball first, because you are in a cool, you're 18 seasons in?

Heading into 18. Yeah, October. Talk to me about, you know, life is funny.

Like there are peaks and valleys and everything.

And I felt like when I was working here at NBC, I felt like I was kind of on top of a wave at a point.

When do you know when the right time is to go for a plan B?

Well, I think you start preparing for a plan B.

I mean, if you're smart and you have the presence of mind to do it early in your career.

I did and I didn't.

...