Pamela, founder of Black Girl Magic Pickleball Group, shares her transformative journey from being picked last in childhood gym class to creating inclusive pickleball spaces where everyone belongs. Pamela opens up about overcoming self-doubt and the perspective of what it feels like to want to play with others that "look like you". How pickleball also becomes what she calls "a slippery slope of addiction" that transforms both physical health and social connections. Whether you're a seasoned player or considering your first game, her story proves it's never too late to discover the magic of pickleball.

Highlights

• From playground last-pick to starting tennis at 40 — it's never too late to become an athlete
• The mental game —transforming self-doubt into confidence on and off the court and "why not me"
• "It's just nice to have a girl's game" — why affinity groups matter in sports
• How the Black Girl Magic Pickleball Club creates belonging for underrepresented players
• Pickleball as the perfect blend of competition and fun
• The social "addiction" that keeps players coming back for more
• Moving to a new city? How pickleball creates instant community
• Why playing makes you "feel like a kid again" at any age

• The perfect balance — maintaining a competitive spirit while prioritizing fun and connection

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pickleball and Community

03:33 From being picked last on the playground to adult athlete

06:11 The competitive spirt while still having fun

10:03 Surprising moments of resilience running a marathon

12:31 Winning vs losing mindset of pickleball

15:23 From missing faces of color to magical movement

21:22 How playing pickleball makes you feel like a kid again

24:41 Pet peeve - convenient blindness syndrome

27:05 Serves that just won't go in

28:54 The social dynamics of pickleball

31:01 A great way to meet new people after moving to a new city

33:50 Professional parallels: pickleball and career Insights

36:18 Encouragement for new players

37:46 Evolving to be more social and becoming a connector

39:22 Having to play singles during league "dream breaker"