What happens when pickleball enters a maximum-security prison?

In this powerful episode, John Coray shares how a simple invitation led him to bring pickleball into a Maine State Prison and how the sport has become a tool for connection, dignity, joy, and personal growth. What began as a lesson for a small group of residents has grown into an ongoing program where incarcerated men learn strategy, discipline, sportsmanship, and community through the game.

John also talks about his work teaching adaptive pickleball, his passion for creating fair tournament play for older athletes, and the life lessons he has learned through service, leadership, and competition. This is an inspiring conversation about pickleball, prison reform, second chances, adaptive sports, senior athletes, community, and the power of sport to change lives on both sides of the net.

Midcoast Maine Pickleball: Home

📘 Our book Life Lessons from Pickleball™ is now available on Amazon

Order the book here: https://a.co/d/0bHPFYve

A collection of short, true stories from players around the world about community, resilience, and joy through the game of pickleball.

A portion of proceeds supports Operation PaddleLift, through the Global Pickleball Federation, distributing paddles, balls and nets to underserved communities around the world.

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Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

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