Life Lessons from Pickleball™

 How can pickleball help us become calmer, kinder, more resilient, and more connected while also making us better players on the court?

In this episode, Dr. Cameron Smith, known as the Dink Shrink, and Dori West share how their love of pickleball led them to combine sports psychology, coaching, and community into something much bigger than the game itself. Cameron, a clinical sports psychologist with decades of experience working with Olympic athletes, professional teams, and elite performers, explains how he discovered pickleball and quickly saw it as the perfect setting for growth, not just in skill and competition, but in emotional regulation, attention control, confidence, and joy. Dori, a former teacher, tennis player, and accomplished pickleball coach in Redmond, Washington, shares how she found pickleball after injuries ended her tennis journey and how coaching players of all levels helped her see the extraordinary potential this sport has to change lives. 

Together, Cameron and Dori talk about their work through Dear Pickleball, where they are creating content and co-writing a book designed to help everyday pickleball players become more effective, self-aware, and fulfilled both on and off the court. They discuss how pickleball gives players the opportunity to practice focus, patience, self-talk, emotional resilience, teamwork, and compassion in real time. Along the way, they explain how sports psychology can help players manage frustration, calm themselves under pressure, stay present, and improve performance, while great coaching can unlock the one key change that helps a player move forward more confidently and consistently. 

This is a thoughtful and uplifting conversation about pickleball, sports psychology, the Dink Shrink, Dear Pickleball, Dori West, coaching, emotional resilience, self-talk, attention control, confidence, community, personal growth, and the life lessons that remind us there is always more potential in each of us than we realize, especially when we learn to be patient, stay present, and trust the process. 

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.

How can pickleball become a source of joy, strength, community, and healing when life suddenly changes in ways you never expected?

In this episode, Julie Billett shares her deeply moving story of resilience, connection, and gratitude. A longtime Seattle-area real estate professional, top-producing agent, athlete, former runner, spinner, triathlete, and now avid pickleball player, Julie talks about how movement and community have shaped her life for years. She reflects on discovering pickleball after already living a full athletic life, and how the sport quickly became not only a passion for her, but also a joyful family affair shared with her husband, children, and extended community. 

Julie also opens up about the life-changing moment when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer after a routine mammogram, and how everything shifted in an instant. She shares honestly about chemotherapy, trust, vulnerability, patience, and what it means to keep living fully even while walking through fear and uncertainty. Along the way, she reflects on the outpouring of love from her pickleball community, the importance of letting others care for you, and the lesson that while suffering can change us, it can also deepen our empathy, humility, gratitude, and openness to love. 

This is a heartfelt and inspiring conversation about pickleball, breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, mammograms, friendship, community, vulnerability, patience, humility, gratitude, resilience, joy, and the life lessons that remind us not to take life for granted, to stay present, to risk opening our hearts, and to keep choosing connection even in the hardest seasons. 

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.

How can pickleball help someone reclaim joy, redefine possibility, and prove that community, faith, and determination can carry us through even the hardest chapters of life?

In this episode, Twila Adams shares her extraordinary story of resilience, service, and strength. A U.S. Army veteran who served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Twila  reflects on her military years, the medical issues that led her to leave the Army, and the life of service she built afterward through holistic mobile nail care, Reiki, and caring for the elderly, disabled, and underserved. She talks about how simple acts of kindness, presence, and human connection can change someone’s entire day, and how those same values have shaped every chapter of her life. 

Twila  also opens up about the devastating 1994 car accident that left her with a spinal cord injury and paralysis from the neck down, and the powerful mindset that carried her through recovery. Rather than accepting only the limits others placed on her, she chose to believe in possibility, lean into faith, and fight for every bit of movement, independence, and quality of life she could reclaim. Along the way, she shares how adaptive sports, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, and eventually wheelchair pickleball opened a whole new world of competition, friendship, purpose, and empowerment she never expected. 

Extra bonus discussion included at the end of the show so stay tuned!  

https://secure.pva.org/

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.

What happens when pickleball is introduced inside prison walls?

In this episode, Roger BelAir shares his unexpected journey of bringing pickleball to correctional facilities across the United States. Inspired by a 60 Minutes segment, Roger proposed the idea of introducing the sport at Cook County Jail and soon found himself teaching inmates the game.

What followed surprised everyone. In facilities such as Cook County Jail, Rikers Island, and San Quentin, the simple act of playing pickleball began to shift the atmosphere. Inmates and staff alike discovered that the sport encouraged respect, teamwork, and community.

Roger also reflects on the importance of rehabilitation, his admiration for Norway’s approach to corrections, and the powerful reactions from inmates who experienced the game for the first time.

His story reveals how a simple paddle and ball can spark hope, connection, and transformation in the most unexpected places.

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.

How does a 94-year-old become a pickleball legend?

In this episode, we sit down with Joyce Jones, a remarkable nonagenarian who has dedicated more than four decades to the sport of pickleball. Introduced to the game in 1980 by pickleball co-creator Joel Pritchard, Joyce quickly developed a love for competition that has carried her through countless tournaments and unforgettable moments on the court.

Joined by her daughter Sandy, Joyce shares stories from her lifelong athletic journey, including her playful rivalry with her late husband Don and the incredible support of her family throughout the years.

Joyce’s story is a powerful reminder that passion, perseverance, and community can keep us active and inspired at any stage of life.

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.

How can pickleball teach patience, sharpen communication, build resilience, and bring joy even for someone whose daily work is preparing for crisis?

In this episode, Lorraine Schneider shares her unique perspective on the life lessons of pickleball through the lens of crisis management, community, and personal growth. Lorraine is the chief operating officer of the Resiliency Initiative, a crisis management and business continuity consulting firm, and she also writes Future Risk on Substack, where she explores crisis management, international relations, and climate change. She talks about growing up in Europe, studying at UCLA, unexpectedly falling in love with emergency management, and building a career focused on helping organizations prepare for earthquakes, active shooter events, hurricanes, pandemics, and other large-scale disruptions. 

Lorraine also shares how pickleball entered her life in Los Angeles in 2022 and quickly became more than just a sport. What started as an introduction from a softball friend turned into a powerful outlet for connection, mindfulness, fun, and emotional resilience. She reflects on how meditation and pickleball helped her navigate anxiety, how tournaments taught her about patience, teamwork, feedback, energy, and self-awareness, and why the sport’s welcoming community has been so meaningful. Along the way, she draws fascinating parallels between pickleball and crisis management, including the importance of preparation, adaptability, communication, and staying calm under pressure. 

This is a thoughtful and insightful conversation about pickleball, crisis management, resilience, emergency preparedness, communication, meditation, teamwork, tournaments, emotional regulation, community, personal growth, and the life lessons that remind us to stay present, plan ahead, communicate well, and keep choosing joy even in an unpredictable world. 

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.

How can one person’s passion for pickleball help spark a movement across an entire continent and create new opportunities for health, community, and joy?

In this episode, Apostle Dr. Kwabena Akufo shares the remarkable story of how pickleball began spreading through Ghana and across Africa. A former ministry leader, author, scientist, and now president of the Ghana Pickleball Association, president of the Confederation of African Pickleball, and African representative on the board of the Global Pickleball Federation, Dr. Kwabena explains how he first discovered pickleball in Massachusetts after the pandemic and quickly became so captivated by the game that he began introducing it everywhere he went. What started as a personal passion soon turned into a mission to bring pickleball to Ghana, where he began teaching on borrowed tennis courts with a few paddles, some balls, and a deep belief that this sport could change lives. 

Dr. Kwabena also shares the incredible story of how pickleball became part of the African Games, the Olympic-style multi-sport event for the continent, even though there was no formal confederation at the time. Through determination, relationship-building, and what he describes as the providence of God, he helped unite countries, create the Confederation of African Pickleball, and gather enough nations to host pickleball as a demonstration sport in the 2024 African Games in Ghana. Along the way, he reflects on the power of entrepreneurship, leadership, and faith, and why he believes pickleball’s low barrier to entry makes it one of the best tools for reaching children, students, older adults, and underserved communities across Africa. 

This is an inspiring conversation about pickleball, Ghana pickleball, African pickleball, the African Games, the Global Pickleball Federation, community, entrepreneurship, ministry, healthy aging, youth sports, grassroots development, and the life lessons that remind us that when passion meets purpose, one simple sport can open doors to connection, wellness, and hope for people everywhere. 

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.

How can pickleball help us discover hidden strength, build confidence, practice grace under pressure, and even inspire stories for children and adults alike?

In this episode, Will and Lilly Terry share their joyful pickleball journey and the creative story behind their beloved Pickleball Paul books. Will, a freelance illustrator for more than 30 years and co-founder of the School of Visual Storytelling, and Lilly, his warm and insightful partner on and off the court, talk about how moving to a retirement community in Arizona led them from tennis into pickleball and into a whole new chapter of friendship, competition, and personal growth. What began as curiosity quickly turned into full-on pickleball addiction, with drilling sessions, open play, league matches, and the challenge of learning how to play together as a couple. 

They also reflect on the deeper lessons the game has taught them, from handling pressure and giving yourself grace to trusting your body, staying positive, and remembering that every new point is a fresh start. Lilly shares how pickleball helped her realize just how strong and capable she really is, while Will opens up about how sports, art, and teaching helped him understand that traditional school systems often miss the gifts of visual and kinesthetic learners. Along the way, they explain how those same ideas of belonging, perseverance, confidence, and growth found their way into the Pickleball Paul children’s books, which are helping introduce a new generation to the game. 

This is a fun, thoughtful, and uplifting conversation about pickleball, Pickleball Paul, children’s books, illustration, creativity, Arizona pickleball, retirement community pickleball, couples pickleball, confidence, sportsmanship, encouragement, learning styles, and the life lessons that remind us to watch the ball, trust our body, stay kind to ourselves, and never stop growing. 

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.

How can pickleball help us stay present, build confidence, find joy after loss, and create the kind of friendship that makes us feel safe enough to grow?

In this episode, Wenting Nie and Kim Landesberg share their heartfelt and uplifting pickleball journeys, from first picking up a paddle to becoming strong tournament partners and treasured members of their local pickleball community. Wenting, a neonatal intensive care nurse and mother of two, talks about how pickleball became a joyful reset from the emotional intensity of NICU work, giving her something to look forward to every day and a community that brings energy, connection, and fun into her life. Kim, a former first grade teacher and mom through adoption, reflects on how pickleball entered her life during a season shaped by family loss and grief, and how the sport helped her laugh again, reconnect with others, and step into new adventures with courage and openness.

They also share the unique bond that helps make them such a strong doubles team, including the surprising discovery that both of them are identical twins. Together, they talk about communication, trust, encouragement, patience, and the importance of having a partner who makes you feel comfortable enough to make mistakes and keep going. Along the way, they reflect on how pickleball has taught them to focus on the present moment, move on from errors quickly, celebrate each other, and remember that at the end of the day, the game is meant to bring joy.

This is a warm and meaningful conversation about pickleball, doubles partnership, tournament play, friendship, grief, healing, NICU nursing, teaching, identical twins, focus, patience, confidence, encouragement, and the life lessons that remind us to believe in ourselves, be kind to each other, and keep choosing fun, connection, and grace both on and off the court.

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.

How can pickleball help us feel like we belong, teach us to encourage others more openly, and remind us that kindness matters just as much as competition?

In this episode, Sarah Moore shares her thoughtful and heartfelt pickleball journey, from growing up in tiny Hayward, Wisconsin to building a life in the Pacific Northwest filled with family, work, and a growing love for the game. Sarah talks about her background in retail, her eye for style, her years of raising three children, and the life experiences that shaped her long before pickleball entered the picture. She reflects on how a friend encouraged her to try the sport in 2023, and how what began as a simple class quickly became a joyful new chapter filled with movement, friendship, challenge, and connection. 

Sarah also opens up about the difficult season when she lost both of her parents within a short span of time, and how those life experiences deepened her appreciation for community, compassion, and showing up for one another. Along the way, she shares what stands out most to her about pickleball: the supportiveness of the pickleball community, the way players of all levels can feel like they have something meaningful to contribute, and how the sport creates space for growth, resilience, and belonging. She also reflects on the importance of sportsmanship, gratitude, and being the kind of player who makes others want to come back and play again. 

This is a warm and meaningful conversation about pickleball, community, grief, encouragement, sportsmanship, kindness, confidence, belonging, family, friendship, resilience, and the life lessons that remind us to support each other, speak appreciation out loud, and never underestimate the power of making someone feel welcome on and off the court. 

📘 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.

Contact us:  [email protected]

Follow and watch:
https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557275391316
https://www.instagram.com/lifelessonsfrompickleball/
https://www.youtube.com/@LifeLessonsFromPickleballPod

Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

Thanks for listening and you can also watch us on Youtube.