Ever wonder what pickleball was like before it exploded in popularity? Join host Deirdre as Matt shares his pre-pandemic pickleball beginnings—from creating makeshift family rules on Friday nights to the reality check of learning "real" pickleball.

Matt reveals how this paddle sport transformed an introvert into a social butterfly, strengthened his marriage, and fostered meaningful connections through his weekly men's coffee group (the C&Bs). The episode highlights the power of the pickleball community when players rallied around his wife Riki after an accident. Hear stories about his serving "yips" to Deirdre's missing dinner reservations for "just one more game,".

Matt's journey captures the heart of what makes pickleball special—it's never just about the game, but the community that happens one dink at a time.

Highlights

• Matt's early adoption of pickleball before it became mainstream
• Friday night family pickleball with makeshift rules
• Why he resisted learning "real" pickleball rules for a long time
• How an introvert found his social stride through open play
• Marriage dynamics on the court: playing pickleball as a couple
• The infamous missed dinner reservation due to "just one more game"
• Battling the serving "yips" and how he got over them
• Formation of the "C&Bs" men's coffee group
• How the broader pickleball community rallied around Riki after her accident

• From hesitation to participation: Matt's number one tip for new players

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pickleball Before It was Cool

05:31 Telling His Co-Workers About Pickleball

07:28 Friday Night Family Play and Their Own Rules

08:51 Learning the Real Rules of the Game

12:11 His Resistance to Learning the Skills and Getting Better

16:11 Embracing the New Style of Play and Evolving

19:03 Moving Past Being an Introvert and Joining Open Play

20:38 Marriage Dynamics Through Playing Together

24:03 Completely Missing a Dinner Reservation Because of Pickleball

26:29 Funny Moments From Playing

27:54 Pickleball Mishaps - The Serving YIPS

31:29 Playing Partners Personalities - Pet Peeves

34:04 Making New Friendships Through PIckleball - The C&Bs

36:12 The Community Rallying Around Riki After Her Accident

38:57 How the Community Brings a Sense of Belonging

39:55 The Strategic Side of the Game

41:24 Put Yourself Out There - His Advice to His Former Self