Avoiding Burnout in Pickleball
Published on
July 28, 2025
I can spend an hour drilling drop shots and feel like I’m making real progress, but when the score is tied 10-10 in an actual match, that same shot feels completely different because the pressure changes everything. It reveals something that no amount of drilling ever can: how you perform when it truly matters. The only way to build confidence in those high-stakes moments is by gaining experience through tournament play, and right now, the real challenge is staying motivated without the urgency of competition to expose and confront my weaknesses.
Why Helios Pickleball in Manila Is a Game Changer for Asia’s Sports Economy and Global Pickleball
Published on
July 25, 2025
Helios Pickleball in Manila marks Asia’s first pro pickleball complex, driving economic growth and industry momentum. This landmark project signals the rise of a larger global pickleball industry—creating opportunities for local businesses, drawing international events, and paving the way for world-class facilities across Asia and beyond. As the sport explodes in popularity, investments like Helios highlight pickleball’s evolution from niche pastime to billion-dollar global industry.
Getting Ready for Competition
Published on
July 23, 2025
In this post, I talk about how I’m preparing for upcoming pickleball tournaments in the U.S., including the JOOLA Celebration and PPA Challenger Orlando. From drilling drop shots and backhands to dialing in nutrition and injury prevention, it’s a full-spectrum look at what it takes to compete at the 4.5 level.
12 Straight: The Match That Proved Pickleball’s Athletic Hustle
Published on
July 17, 2025
In one of the most electrifying displays of athleticism and mental grit in pro pickleball history, third-seed Connor Garnett stages back-to-back comebacks against ninth-seed Jack Sock at the Select Medical Orange County Cup. After erasing a 9–2 deficit to win the first game 11–9, Garnett faces a 0–10 mountain in the second--and climbs it, winning 12 straight points to seal a 12–10 victory. This piece captures the drama, psychology, and raw physicality of elite men’s singles, highlighting why pickleball has become the most intense combat sport you’re not paying enough attention to.
Living the Pickleball Grind in Paradise
Published on
July 16, 2025
Jeremy shares some of the positives and negatives of trying to become a high-level pickleball player while living in Nicaragua. From private courts in paradise to the challenge of finding serious competition, here’s what the grind really looks like in Rancho Santana.
How a Former Tennis Coach Fixed My Pickleball Drive Shot at Hacienda Iguana, Nicaragua
Published on
July 15, 2025
During a recent pickleball session in Nicaragua, my drive shot mysteriously fell apart... until Jason Hallquest, a former tennis coach and local surf and pickleball friend at Hacienda Iguana, spotted one subtle wrist angle issue and changed everything. With a simple biomechanical fix, I went from frustration to ripping forehands with effortless topspin. This post is about that micro-adjustment, how it unlocked consistency, and why breakthroughs like this keep me obsessed with the sport.
Warping Point Ascent Review: Carbon Fiber Paddle Under $100
Warping Point sent me their Ascent Red and Green carbon fiber paddles to try out, and in this review I'm sharing my honest thoughts. These paddles are great options for beginner to intermediate players thanks to their affordable price point, respectable build quality, and surprisingly competitive levels of grit. Whether you're just getting started or looking to upgrade from a cheap starter paddle, the Ascent series delivers solid performance without breaking the bank.
Why Training with an Old Pickleball Paddle Might Be Your Secret Weapon
Ever wonder why pros mess around with old-school gear? I’m here to show you how drilling with a beat-up, lead-weighted pickleball paddle can sharpen your skills, build real strength, and make your fancy gen 3 paddle feel like a rocket launcher when it counts. This approach isn’t just theory; it’s how you turn solid fundamentals into an unfair advantage on the court.
Battling Foot Pain as a Pickleball Player
Published on
June 17, 2025
After months of pain and confusion, I finally got answers about a foot injury that just wouldn’t go away. It wasn’t what I expected, and the real cause forced me to look way beyond my feet. This is the story of what I discovered, what I went through, and how I’m working my way back to the court.
How Janelle Braverman Went From Player to Builder
Published on
June 16, 2025
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and entrepreneurs are starting to take serious notice. Among them is Janelle Braverman, a lifelong athlete with sharp business instincts. In a recent YouTube interview with Geoff Bourgeois, CEO of Palmera Pickleball, she shares how she got into the sport and how she plans to invest.
From Courtly Duels to Social Rallies: Tennis, Padel, and Pickleball in Contrast
Published on
June 11, 2025
This essay examines how racquet sports reflect societal values, tracing tennis’s elite, solitary roots, pickleball’s community-driven rise, and padel’s balanced fusion of both. Though similar in form, small design differences shape vastly different cultures—individualism in tennis, connection in pickleball, and a hybrid ethos in padel.
Why Everyone Should Play Pickleball
Published on
June 10, 2025
Pickleball is the most accessible sport for all ages—benefiting kids, teens, adults, and seniors alike. From boosting brain development and emotional regulation to improving balance, reflexes, and grip strength, pickleball supports lifelong cognitive and physical health. It’s more than a game—it’s community, joy, and personal growth.
Lessons from the Punta Gorda PPA Challenger: My Ongoing Pickleball Journey
Last week at the Punta Gorda PPA Challenger, I faced some of the toughest mental battles of my pickleball journey. From struggling with nerves in singles to finding calm and rhythm in doubles, every match taught me the value of resilience and focus. The weekend wasn’t about the wins or losses; it was about growth, grit, and learning.
The Palmera Vision: Pickleball and Individuation
Discover how pickleball becomes more than just a game—it's a catalyst for self-awareness, personal growth, and individuation. In this visionary piece from Palmera Pickleball CEO Geoff Bourgeois, explore the deeper psychology behind play, competition, and building a global destination for human development through sport.
Zane Ford and the Truth About PPA Challenger vs Premier Events
Zane Ford’s appearance in mixed doubles at the PPA Challenger in Punta Gorda became a hot topic during a match in the back draw—but was it unethical as claimed or part of the pro system? We dive into the drama, the ladder system, and why PPA Challenger events matter more than people think.
Punta Gorda Tournament Recap: Lessons Learned, Goals Set
This weekend’s tournament brought intense heat, challenging matches, and valuable takeaways. From a tough singles start to strong teamwork in doubles and mixed play, I faced setbacks with resilience and left more focused than ever. Looking ahead to Orlando with renewed motivation and a clear game plan.
Why CEOs Who Play Pickleball (or Any Sport) Lead Better: Staying Sharp in 60+ Hour Weeks
Every CEO needs an arena. For me, it's the pickleball court. For you, maybe it’s squash, golf, hockey, or shooting hoops. The sport is secondary. What matters is flow—carving out sacred time each week where body and mind align. Because when you're logging 60-90 hour weeks, pushing through on fumes only gets you so far. To lead at the highest level, you need routines that sustain your edge. That’s not a luxury. That’s operational necessity (and security).
The Beauty of Pickleball: Why This Inclusive Racket Sport Is Taking Over
Pickleball isn’t just a sport, it’s a cultural shift. This fast-growing paddle game is redefining what makes a sport accessible, inclusive, and fun for all ages. From urban courts to rural communities, pickleball offers affordable, low-impact action that unites families, neighbors, and total strangers. This piece breaks down why it’s the sport everyone should be paying attention to.
Why Is Pickleball So Addicting?
What makes pickleball so addicting? From dopamine and endorphins to social connection and sensory satisfaction, this fast-growing sport hits all the right triggers in your brain and body. Discover why players of all ages can’t get enough of the game that feels like play but works like a workout.
Beginner Paddle Guide: 14mm vs 16mm
Trying to decide between a 14mm or 16mm pickleball paddle? This beginner-friendly guide breaks down paddle thickness, pros and cons, and which one you should choose.
The Two Types of Players in Pickleball (And Why Both Matter)
In every pickleball community, two types of players stand out—those who are obsessed with pickleball and are chasing growth, and those just playing for fun. This piece explores how both mindsets shape the game, why mutual respect matters, and how even small efforts can elevate everyone's experience.
Pickleball Injuries Are Real: What Competitive Players Deal With
Think pickleball isn’t a real sport? Tell that to the athletes sidelined with tennis elbow, stress fractures, and chronic foot pain. This blog breaks down the real injuries competitive players face—and how to prevent them so you can stay on the court and off the bench.
Why I Like Singles More Than Doubles in Pickleball
I don’t play singles because I hate doubles—I play singles because I love running the show. No guesswork, no soft shots unless I feel like it, and definitely no babysitting someone else’s pop-ups. Just me, the court, and a whole lot of forehands down the line.
Addicted to Trauma: How the Mind Becomes Wired for Pain—and How to Reclaim It
Trauma addiction isn’t just psychological—it’s physiological. This in-depth exploration connects the dots between neuroplasticity and trauma, cortisol and PTSD, and how negative self-talk becomes hardwired through myelination trauma loops. Whether you're a high-performance athlete or just beginning your healing trauma habits, this article delivers powerful insights from sports psychology that can help rewire your brain, reclaim peace, and even improve your focus on the pickleball court. A must-read for anyone serious about negative self-talk recovery and performance under pressure.
Beginner Pickleball Mistakes: 3 Rules I Messed Up and What They Really Mean
New to pickleball and confused by the rules? I break down three of the trickiest ones for beginners — the kitchen rule, the double bounce rule, and who makes line calls. These quick tips come from real mistakes I made when I first started, so if you're just learning the game, this post will help you play smarter and with more confidence.
Baton Rouge Pickleball Tournament Recap
Published on
April 25, 2025
Get a firsthand look into the PPA Challenger pickleball tournament in Baton Rouge with a breakdown of key moments, hard-earned lessons, and doubles highlights featuring Austin Bricker. This honest and strategic recap reflects on past tournaments, the mindset going in, and what’s next in the journey to improve as a competitive pickleball player. Watch the full tournament recap now on YouTube.