Lisa shares her inspiring journey from a promising tennis career to founding Love Serving Autism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children with autism through tennis.

The conversation explores her early experiences in tennis, the challenges she faced transitioning to a career in speech therapy, and the obstacles encountered while building her nonprofit.

Lisa emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in sports and the profound impact tennis can have on children with developmental disabilities.

She also discusses the significance of maintaining perspective during tough times and the rewarding nature of her work.

📝 Takeaways

• Lisa started playing tennis at the age of five in Memphis, Tennessee.
• She transitioned from a competitive tennis career to speech therapy after facing injuries.
• Founding Love Serving Autism was driven by a passion for helping children with autism.
• The nonprofit integrates tennis with speech and occupational therapy for children.
• Lisa emphasizes the importance of consistency in teaching children with autism.
• She faced significant challenges in managing her nonprofit while working full-time.
• The impact of tennis on children with autism is profound and rewarding.
• Inclusivity in sports is crucial for the development of children with disabilities.
• Perspective is key in overcoming challenges and maintaining motivation.
• Building a supportive community is essential for the success of nonprofit initiatives.

~Join the conversation that’s reshaping the game.~

In this inspiring episode, Gira sits down with Allie to explore her tennis journey—from hitting balls with her father in Ohio to playing at the Naval Academy, and eventually transitioning into coaching and mentoring tennis players.

Along the way, Allie shares the profound influence of her early coach, Susan Cinciala, and the pivotal role tennis played in shaping her resilience.

Today, Allie uses her experience to help players embrace balance by integrating yoga, mindfulness, and academics alongside tennis.

Her advice to young athletes is clear: nurture relationships with your coaches, focus on your education, and find your value outside of wins and losses.

📝 Show Notes Outline (5 Key Points)

1. Allie’s Tennis Roots – From playing with her father in Ohio to her 1st coach, Susan Cinciala, her most influential coach.
2. Navigating Challenges – Stepping away from tennis during her parents’ divorce, then returning to the game in high school.
3. College Tennis Experience – Competing at the Naval Academy, facing coaching challenges, and lessons learned about communication and resilience.
4. Identity Beyond Tennis – Finding balance through academics, relationships, and incorporating yoga for both physical and mental benefits.
5. Advice for the Next Generation – Prioritizing education, building strong coach-player relationships, and embracing balance as a key to success. ~Join the conversation that’s reshaping the game.~

When Fernando left Guatemala for Florida at 13, he faced culture shock, a language barrier, and a brand-new world. Tennis became his safe space, taking him from high school to the professional tour, then to getting a full ride to the University of Southern California.

Fernando talks about the importance of personalized coaching, how to avoid overwhelming players, and why the mental side of the game is just as important as the physical.

In this episode, Fernando shares what it takes to coach junior tennis players in today’s complex tennis world, why patience and listening matter more than ever, and how his approach has helped 18 players earn college scholarships.

🎾 Tune in now to hear a story that blends personal grit with coaching wisdom.

Outline for Show Notes (5 Key Points)

1. From Guatemala to Florida – Fernando’s move at age 13, facing language and cultural barriers, and how tennis became his anchor.
2. College Tennis & Professional Play – Earning a full ride at University of South Carolina
3. Coaching Philosophy – Why personalized coaching matters, and how he’s placed 18 players into college tennis programs.
4. Evolution of Tennis Coaching – Shift from single-coach models to specialized teams, and the pros and cons of this change.
5. Advice for Coaches – The importance of patience, listening, and helping players translate practice into performance without overwhelming them.

Kyle LaCroix’s story is anything but ordinary. In this episode, he shares how he went from a swimmer to a sought-after tennis mentor. We talk about his years at the Oaks, the launch of SETS, and how he's helping coaches around the world level up their careers with a lifetime of support and business savvy.

Kyle doesn’t hold back as we get into the mindset shifts required in today’s evolving tennis landscape. From the fear of standing out to the biological comfort of conformity, we explore how coaches can break through their own limits—and why that matters for the sport’s future. Whether you're a coach, player, or leader in the tennis world, this one will inspire you to play—and coach—a little differently.

Show Notes Outline (4 Key Points)

1. From Swimming to Tennis: Kyle’s Athletic Evolution

Competitive swimmer from a young age

Transitioned to tennis for its repetition and individuality

Developed a passion for teaching and performance

2. Mentorship in Tennis Coaching

The current lack of mentorship in the industry

His work at SETS to build global mentorship systems

3. The Business of Coaching

Why coaches need business and leadership skills

Strategies for growth and financial sustainability

4. Mediocrity vs. Mastery in Tennis

“Excellence scales slowly; mediocrity scales fast” * Biological predisposition to conform and avoid risk

Tune in and get ready to stretch your game in every direction.

🎙️HTP Podcast streaming on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, where Tennis Stories Come to Life! 🎧 @htp.podcast Follow for more game-changing tennis tales!

New Episode Every Friday!

~Changing Tennis Culture, One Conversation at a Time.~

Dominique (aka Dom) joins the HTP Podcast to share a vulnerable and inspiring journey—from her early days in the Bahamas to tennis academies in the U.S. to becoming a psychotherapist.

Dom opens up about choosing tennis over other sports at age 12, what it was like moving alone to the U.S. at 14, and how a sport she once hated became the catalyst for her career in mental health.

We dive into the highs, the heartbreaks, and how her experience as a young athlete struggling with perfectionism and self-doubt gave her emotional resilience she leans on today.

This is a must-listen for any tennis player—or parent—navigating the mental game.

5 Key Points:

1. Early Tennis Roots
   • Starting tennis at age 7, coached by her mom
   • Choosing tennis over other sports at age 12 for longevity
2. Academy Life & Culture Shock
   • Moving from the Bahamas to the U.S. at 14
   • The challenges of adapting to a new culture and tennis intensity
3. Mental Struggles in Tennis
   • Dealing with self-doubt, perfectionism, pressure
   • Feeling unsupported by coaches and peers at times
4. Resilience Through Hardship
   • How injuries, losses, and transitions shaped mental toughness
   • Learning to shift her internal dialogue
5. Career Transformation
   • How tennis inspired her path in psychology
   • Now working as a psychotherapist and clinical manager

Tennis isn’t just about the wins and losses—it’s about who you become along the way.

In this episode, Gira sits down with Greg to unpack how focusing on the process over results helps athletes thrive, both on and off the court. Greg shares how his father’s love for tennis laid the groundwork for a lifelong journey of growth and teaching players to prioritize mindset and personal growth over trophies alone.

They also explore the evolving tennis industry, the role of mental preparation, and how to lead athletes toward a healthier, more resilient approach to the sport.

Whether you’re a tennis parent, player, or coach, this conversation will inspire you to reframe setbacks as stepping stones and to find purpose beyond results. Don’t miss it!

5 Key Points:

The Impact of Joy

• Gira shares how Greg helped her during mental struggles in Germany, emphasizing the importance of finding joy off the court

Greg’s Tennis Journey

• From backyard courts to college and coaching, Greg’s story illustrates how tennis shaped his personal and professional life.

Process Over Outcome

• Discussion on Achievement Goal Theory and why focusing on tasks and growth over results reduces burnout and builds longevity.

Evolving Tennis Culture

• Insights on tennis vs. pickleball, the changing landscape of the sport, and using tennis as a vehicle for personal growth.

Mental Preparation & Presence

• How to help athletes stay present, embrace mistakes, and navigate ups and downs with a process-focused mindset.

Leslie Banks started tennis at age 3 and never looked back. Now, as the founder of Serve the Future, she’s using her lifelong love for the game to empower underserved youth through tennis, opening doors many never thought possible.

From her early days growing up in a competitive tennis family to coaching at just 15, Leslie shares her journey of grit, resilience, and growth within the tennis world. She dives into the challenges of transitioning from coaching at clubs in Houston to stepping out on her own in Phoenix, where she followed her calling to create a nonprofit dedicated to making tennis accessible for all.

In this episode, Leslie pulls back the curtain on the real behind-the-scenes of building and sustaining a nonprofit, including the emotional and financial challenges that come with the mission. She shares stories of students whose lives have been transformed through tennis—like the student who is now attending MIT—and how focusing on these success stories fuels her through the toughest days.

Leslie reminds us that to create true impact, you need flexibility, passion, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Whether you’re a coach, player, or parent, you’ll walk away inspired to look beyond yourself and see how tennis can change lives—both on and off the court.

If you would like to donate to Serve The Future or learn more about this amazing nonprofit. Go check out their website, where STF is helping underprivileged kids learn tennis and leadership skills for success. https://www.servethefuture.org/

KEY POINTS:

✅ The grit it takes to build a nonprofit from the ground up

✅ How tennis teaches independence, resilience, and life skills

✅ Why creating community is key to growing the game

✅ The power of focusing on your “why” during hard days

✅ Actionable insights for anyone looking to serve the next generation

If you’ve ever wondered how you can give back through tennis—or need a reminder of why tennis is more than just a sport—this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now on the HTP Podcast, and join us in changing the culture of tennis, one conversation at a time.

Ever wondered what it’s really like chasing the pro tennis dream? In this episode of the HTP Podcast, Gira sits down with Amanda Moore (Fink), former top 300 player, tennis scholarship to the University of Southern California, and passionate coach, to unpack her journey from age 8 with a racquet in hand to the professional circuit.

Amanda shares the raw realities of life on tour—from the independence and confidence tennis builds to the quiet loneliness between matches.

She dives into the importance of setting realistic goals, understanding your travel and support needs, and planning your path if you’re considering the pro tour. Whether you’re a junior dreaming of the next level or a parent wanting a clearer view of the tennis world, this episode brings real talk and encouragement for your journey.

Key Points:

✅ Amanda's tennis journey: starting from age 8, top 5-10 national junior, USC standout, top 300 in the world.

✅ Life lessons from tennis: independence, resilience, problem-solving, and maturity.

✅ The realities of pro tennis: travel challenges, financial strain, and isolation on tour.

✅ Advice for aspiring pros: setting realistic goals, understanding travel/support needs.

✅ The importance of planning, managing expectations, and defining success in tennis.

In this episode, Nicole Fintell shares her journey from a 7-year-old tennis camper to 2x Texas state champion, D1 college athlete, high-performance junior coach, college coach, and USTA Southwest’s junior player development manager.

We explore the ups and downs of junior tennis, the challenges of isolation, and why it’s essential to focus on long-term development.

Tennis is more than a sport—it’s a lifelong teacher.

Whether you're a player, coach, or parent, you’ll gain practical insights into navigating the challenges and joys of tennis.

Key Points:

1️⃣ Start Young, Grow Strong: Nicole began tennis at age 7, showing how early exposure can ignite a lifelong love for the sport.

2️⃣ Growth Over Instant Success: She emphasizes focusing on long-term improvement rather than chasing quick wins, teaching juniors the value of patience in progress.

3️⃣ Tennis Builds Life Skills: The sport instills resilience, adaptability, and independence, preparing players for challenges on and off the court.

4️⃣ Opportunities Through Tennis: Tennis opened doors for travel, education, and lifelong friendships, proving it’s more than just a game.

5️⃣ Navigating the Journey Matters: Now as a USTA Junior Player Development Manager, Nicole helps parents, players, and coaches navigate the tennis journey with support, perspective, and clarity.

In this episode, Kate Paulus shares her powerful tennis journey—from picking up a racquet in Kansas City to competing at the Division 1 level at TCU.

She opens up about the emotional toll of injuries, the mental pressure of elite tennis, and how gratitude and perspective helped her through the toughest moments.

Kate also gets candid about hot-button topics like fairness in women's sports and the value of creating safe spaces for all athletes.

This conversation is equal parts real, reflective, and inspiring.

Key topics:

• Moving from KC to South Florida to train
• Playing D1 tennis at TCU
• Injury, medical retirement, and recovery
• Mental health in junior tennis
• Pressure, comparison, and emotional burnout
• The value of life skills gained through tennis
• Advocating for fairness in women’s sports
• Her coach’s life-changing advice: “Zoom out.”