How can two brothers use pickleball to strengthen family, grow their faith community, and inspire the next generation of players?

In this episode, brothers Ezekiel and Matthias Wagner share how a simple vacation discovery at a park in Southern California turned into a full family passion for pickleball. What started with borrowed paddles and casual games became something much bigger, leading to tournament play, a backyard court built by hand, and a growing commitment to bringing pickleball into their church, school, and community.

As Selkirk Junior Advocates, Ezekiel and Matthias talk about helping others discover the sport, introducing pickleball to new spaces like churches and first responder communities, and learning important life lessons about humility, teamwork, encouragement, and playing for something bigger than yourself.

This is a joyful and inspiring conversation about youth pickleball, family, faith, community, Selkirk Junior Advocates, personal growth, and the life lessons that come from competition, connection, and sharing the game with others.

https://www.instagram.com/just_bert_and_erne_?igsh=MXZ1dTloMnN0ejh3ZA==

https://m.youtube.com/@Just_bert_and_erne

📘 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
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Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen 

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

How does a casual invitation to try pickleball turn into a life of international travel, officiating, and helping grow the sport around the world?

In this episode, Ron Ponder shares how he first discovered pickleball in 2017 after a biking friend invited him to play, and how that simple introduction quickly led to a new calling. Ron talks about becoming a referee, serving as a USA Pickleball ambassador, working on the USA Pickleball Rules Committee, and now traveling globally as the Global Pickleball Federation’s Director of Officiating. 

He also shares unforgettable stories from places like Madagascar and Ghana, where pickleball is creating connection, joy, and opportunity in remarkable ways. Along the way, Ron reflects on the deeper life lessons the sport teaches about honesty, teamwork, community, and why pickleball may be one of the only games in the world that can truly bring every generation together. 

This is a fascinating and uplifting conversation about pickleball refereeing, global pickleball growth, international travel, sportsmanship, community, and the life lessons that come from saying yes to unexpected adventures. 

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/share/1AnvomWrKs/?mibextid=wwXIfr

📘 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 a simple paddle and wiffle ball become a source of healing, resilience, and hope in the middle of war?

In this deeply moving episode, Anna Glotova shares how pickleball entered her life while she was displaced from Ukraine and living in Poland, and how the game became a powerful source of community, support, and emotional recovery during one of the darkest periods of her life. Anna now divides her time between New Zealand and Ukraine and serves as co-founder and director of strategic partnerships for the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation.

She talks about what daily life in Ukraine feels like during war, why pickleball has become much more than a sport, and how the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation is using the game to bring people together, support veterans and civilians with injuries, and create new pathways for adaptive athletes, including wheelchair and prosthetic players.

Anna also shares the incredible story of how Ukraine helped introduce a new prosthetic player category at the English Open and how Ukrainian players will now represent their country at the Pickleball World Cup. This is a powerful conversation about war, resilience, adaptive pickleball, healing, community, and the life lessons that come from choosing hope in the hardest of circumstances.

https://www.instagram.com/ukrainianpickleballfederation?igsh=dGxqNzl0bW1ua2Ey

📘 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 heal heartbreak, spark new love, and even inspire a floating court in the middle of the water?

In this episode, Riley Palmer, better known as Smiley Riley, shares her incredible pickleball journey from rebuilding her life after divorce to becoming a coach, mentor, USA Pickleball ambassador, and entrepreneur with a passion for growing the game. Riley opens up about how pickleball helped her heal, refocus, and rediscover herself, and how the court became a place of joy, community, and new beginnings. 

She also shares the story of reconnecting with an old classmate who eventually became her partner after finally agreeing to take a pickleball lesson, proving that sometimes love and pickleball really do go hand in hand. And then Riley tells the fascinating story behind her floating pickleball courts, from the original idea in Croatia to designing and launching courts that can now be played on both water and land. 

This is a fun, heartfelt, and inspiring conversation about pickleball, healing after divorce, entrepreneurship, second chances, coaching, creativity, travel, and the life lessons that come from saying yes to joy and trying something new. 

https://smileyrileypickleball.com

https://www.instagram.com/smileyrileypickleball?igsh=MW1lMDU1M3lqd3V6OA==

📘 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 do you keep moving forward when Parkinson’s tries to rewrite your life?

In this episode, Bob Gress shares his powerful journey from a lifetime of physical work and sports to facing the life-changing challenges of Parkinson’s disease. Bob opens up about the long road to diagnosis, the emotional toll of losing strength and mobility, and the turning point that came when his wife encouraged him to get out of the recliner and start moving again.

That decision led him to pickleball, and the game became a lifeline. Bob talks about how pickleball helped restore his strength, confidence, joy, and sense of purpose, while also giving him community, connection, and hope. He also shares what it means to adapt, keep working, accept support, and continue showing up with courage.

This is a deeply moving and inspiring conversation about Parkinson’s disease, resilience, caregiving, marriage, healing, faith, pickleball, and the life lessons that come from refusing to give up.

📘 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 pathway to emotional healing, deeper connection, and greater peace of mind?

In this episode, Dr. Lynn Yanni, a seasoned psychotherapist with more than 35 years of clinical experience, shares how pickleball opened the door to a whole new level of joy, connection, and personal growth after her knee replacements. What began as a new activity in her neighborhood quickly became a powerful reminder of how sport, community, and emotional awareness can come together in life-changing ways.

Lynn brings her background in trauma-informed therapy and sports psychology to this conversation, offering practical wisdom about being present, resetting after mistakes, quieting self-criticism, and learning to compete without losing kindness toward yourself or others. She also explores why pickleball is so uniquely addictive, how it creates meaningful social connection, and why the game can become a profound tool for healing, resilience, and well-being.

This is a thoughtful and uplifting conversation about pickleball, sports psychology, relationships, trauma healing, self-compassion, community, and the life lessons that come from staying present and playing with heart.

https://www.drlynnianni.com

📘 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 a Sopranos star discovers pickleball and starts a whole new wellness journey?

In this episode, Joseph R. Gannascoli, best known for playing Vito Spatafore on HBO’s The Sopranos, shares his fascinating path from New York kitchens to television fame, and from celebrity life to food, health, and pickleball. Joe talks about working as a chef, landing his role on The Sopranos, creating unforgettable storylines for his character, and how pickleball became part of his life after losing 80 pounds and focusing on wellness.

He also opens up about acting, resilience, reinvention, family, and the life lessons he has learned through food, sports, and life in the spotlight.

This is a fun and engaging conversation about The Sopranos, Joseph Gannascoli, celebrity pickleball, weight loss, wellness, acting, food, and finding joy 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 stay active, prevent injuries, and keep doing what we love for years to come?

In this episode, Dr. John Gallucci Jr., president and CEO of JAG Physical Therapy, shares how his lifelong passion for helping people heal and move better led him to bring his expertise to the pickleball world. With more than 30 years of experience as a physical therapist and athletic trainer, John explains why pickleball has become such an important lifetime sport and why injury prevention is the key to staying on the court.

He breaks down the most common pickleball injuries, including Achilles, knee, elbow, and tendon issues, and offers practical advice on warmups, hydration, recovery, footwear, and knowing the difference between soreness and a warning sign. He also shares why movement is essential for long-term health and how pickleball can help people of all ages improve fitness, community, and overall well-being.

This is an informative and inspiring conversation about pickleball, physical therapy, injury prevention, movement, hydration, healthy aging, and the life lessons that come from taking care of your body so you can keep playing the game you love.

https://www.jagpt.com

https://www.instagram.com/DrJAGPT/

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-a-gallucci-jr-ms-atc-pt-dpt-38b194a?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

📘 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 move from simply surviving to truly thriving?

In this episode, Dr. Lee Baucom, self-described “Thrivologist,” shares what it means to thrive in life and how many of those same lessons show up on the pickleball court. With a background in therapy, coaching, relationships, and personal development, Lee explains why thriving is rooted in meaning, purpose, strong relationships, and learning how to respond well to life’s challenges. 

Lee also talks about how he discovered pickleball after moving to a new town, why the game became such a natural place for building community, and how the court offers powerful lessons in mindset, resilience, teamwork, communication, and grace. He shares practical wisdom about beginner’s mindset, resetting after mistakes, learning one point at a time, and why the best partner is not always the best player, but the one who brings out the best in others. 

This is a thoughtful and encouraging conversation about pickleball, thriving, relationships, resilience, beginner mindset, emotional health, communication, coaching, teamwork, and the life lessons that help us grow stronger on and off the court. 

https://thriveology.com

thriveologypodcast.com

@thriveology

📘 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.

In this encore episode, professional pickleball player Megan Fudge shares the remarkable journey that took her from working in insurance during COVID to becoming one of the top-ranked women in professional pickleball. Megan talks about how she and her husband Ryler DeHeart first discovered pickleball, instantly fell in love with the sport, and built an entirely new life around competition, coaching, travel, and family. 

Megan also opens up about her international background, growing up between Germany and England with parents from New Zealand and London, and how that global perspective now connects with her life in pickleball. She shares what it has been like helping grow the sport in India and China, where pickleball is expanding rapidly, and why she feels so passionate about opening doors for women, girls, and future players around the world. 

Along the way, Megan reflects on balancing motherhood, professional pickleball, RV travel, coaching, and the pursuit of excellence. She talks about discipline, hard work, equal opportunity in pickleball, and why this sport has given her the chance to become the best version of herself while showing her children what it looks like to chase a dream with courage and commitment. 

This is an inspiring conversation about professional pickleball, women in sports, APP Tour, international pickleball, India pickleball, China pickleball, coaching, family travel, motherhood, discipline, and the life lessons that come from pursuing excellence and believing that it is never too late to go after something big. 

https://www.meganfudgepb.com

https://www.instagram.com/officialmeganfudge/?igsh=Ynptb3J6aTc0Y3lu

https://www.instagram.com/franklinpickleball/?igsh=dndqMDduY2x5YmZk

📘 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.