Ego has a sneaky way of turning every match into a personal story—even when our friends earn the win. In this episode, I challenge you to rethink how you interpret losses, especially after a comeback. When we reframe the moment, we not only grow ourselves—we honor those we play with. A must-listen for any player serious about strengthening their mental game. 

Show Notes:  https://betterpickleball.com/246-dont-diminish-your-friends/ ‎

Redlining is a hidden obstacle affecting players at every level. This episode breaks down how staying too amped up impacts performance, limits mental flexibility, and leads to critical mistakes. Learn how to recognize when you're redlining and discover practical tools to regulate your emotional energy for more consistent, composed play on the pickleball court. 

Show Notes:  https://betterpickleball.com/243-how-redlining-holds-you-back-and-what-to-do-about-it

In this episode, C.J. Johnson steps in for Tony Roig and explores the mental trap of chasing flashy pickleball techniques seen online—shots that often harm more than help. Listen in for a mindset reset to help you protect your learning journey and learn how to stay consistent on the pickleball court.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/244-stop-chasing-pickleball-distractions

A pop-up is not a failure—it is a normal part of pickleball. But your brain may treat it like a threat, thanks to an ancient survival instinct called negativity bias. Once you recognize that, you can stop overreacting and start responding with perspective because not every rustle in the grass is a tiger.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/243-avoiding-negativity-bias/

Many players search for a “secret” to improve their pickleball game—but there's none. Improvement comes not from tips or tricks, but from understanding how the game works. In this episode, I'll explain why structured learning, clear decision-making, and consistent execution are the real keys to growth—and how seeing the full picture of the game can move you forward. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/242-whats-the-secret-sauce-psst-its-in-this-podcast/

We’ve all faced frustrating moments on the court—with partners, opponents, or fellow players. What if we could reframe those situations into a healthier, more constructive way? In this episode of Pickleball Therapy, I explore a new mindset tool I’m developing called empathetic framing. I walk you through how this simple mental shift can reduce negativity and help you stay grounded in your game. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/241-empathy-framing-for-the-win/

This episode holds a special place. It distills three foundational mental pillars—Play, Perspective, and Progress—that have resonated deeply with players around the world. These are not just abstract concepts but practical tools that will help you not only play better, but also enjoy the game more fully and consistently.

Pillar 1: Play – Embrace the Oops Bucket

Mistakes are inevitable. Even the best players miss easy shots. The question is: what do you do next? Even the best players miss shots. Every shot you miss belongs in the “Oops Bucket”, a mental space where you acknowledge the miss, accept it, and move on. 

This tool frees your mind to focus on what matters—the next shot. The Oops Bucket is not about ignoring errors. It is about accepting that they are part of the game and letting them go.

Pillar 2: Perspective – The Bowl of Ice Cream

Too many players tie their experience on the court solely to winning. That is not sustainable. Think of each game as a bowl of your favorite ice cream. You already have the joy of playing—being outdoors, moving your body, engaging your mind. 

Regardless of winning or losing, you’re already winning by playing the sport you love. The games you win add sprinkles and toppings, but even without them, you’ve still enjoyed a full, satisfying experience. 

Pillar 3: Progress – Close the Gap, One Focus at a Time

There is a gap between where you are now and where you want to be. The only way to close that gap is by focusing on one thing at a time. 

Real improvement in pickleball is not about volume—it is about intention. Resist the temptation to chase the latest YouTube tip or hot strategy.

Join us at the Better Pickleball Academy; https://betterpickleball.com/academy/

Pickleball System Class; https://betterpickleball.com/system/

Today we dive into a topic that resonates deeply with many of us: the journey over the destination,  and how our approach to it can significantly impact our enjoyment of the game.

Join the Better Pickleball Academy for the competitive play series.

In our quest for improvement, there's a pervasive trend: rapid progression promises. We've all seen them—programs promising to elevate your rating from 3.5 to 4.0 in just 30 days. These promises sound enticing but often set us up for unreasonable expectations and rob us of the joy found in gradual progress.

The Growth and Fulfilment of the Journey

If you were hiking a mountain, would you want to skip the journey and magically appear at the summit? The answer is likely no because the hike itself is where the real beauty lies. It's in the sights, sounds, and experiences along the way. 

Similarly, in pickleball, it's easy to become fixated on reaching a specific rating or winning a medal. But in doing so, we risk missing out on the joy of playing, improving, and connecting with others. 

As you work on your game, remember to celebrate small victories. Perhaps your volleys have improved, or your serve is stronger. These are the flowers and trees along your hike. Even if you never reach the metaphorical "top," the experiences and memories you gather along the way are what truly matter.

In this episode I'll also share with you about a tournament I participated in and observed an undercurrent of stress among players and I'll tell you why I think you shouldn't let the pressure of competition overshadow the fun and camaraderie of the sport.

Check out our upcoming Strategy Lab

If you enjoyed this podcast, consider rating and reviewing it. Your feedback helps us reach more players.

When we think about pickleball, there are three pillars that comes to mind which we developed a few years back; the mechanical, the strategic, and the athletic pillar. 

The mechanical and strategic pillars focus on how and when to hit the ball and the athletic pillar emphasizes the synergy between body and mind. The mind is super important, but it's one-a-half of the athletic pillar, there's the other part of the athletic pillar, which is the body. 

Your body supports and nourishes your mind thus a healthy, well-conditioned body enhances mental performance.

To enhance mind-body connection, consider these steps; 

1. Physical activity: Engage in regular exercise to boost both physical and mental well-being. It could be focusing on strength training, mobility, or flexibility. What the exercise session does is that it uplifts your spirits and sharpen your focus.

2. Hydration, sleep and nutrition: Dehydration or lack of energy can impede your ability to concentrate and perform. Ensure you’re adequately fueled and hydrated to maintain mental clarity.

3. Manage expectations: If your body is not at its peak, it’s normal for your cognitive abilities to reflect that so be kind to yourself and adjust expectations accordingly.

If you’re new to physical training, begin with simple exercises like controlled chair squats or full-body workouts like getting up from a lying position. Walking is also an excellent low-impact cardio activity. 

If you're already active, good for you, consider incorporating additional elements such as strength training or flexibility exercises.

Join our email list; https://betterpickleball.com/

Stay confident and perform at your best prepare with this play guide; https://betterpickleball.com/prepare-to-play/

Podcast episode on controlling how you respond; https://betterpickleball.com/237-why-are-you-upset-mindset-shifts-for-competitive-play-in-pickleball/

Tony's favorite workouts; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8CDeZurWmQ&list=PLRe6hjjhF-o4F-8QyurfoW0RM8_664o_T

You can't control every event in your journey, but you can control how you respond. And control goes beyond the physical aspect to include a mental dimension too. 

Sometimes when things happen to us in pickleball, we tend to externalize them by blaming external factors. The idea is, you can control how you react to those events to dictate the pace and outcome of the game. 

Just like holding the reins of a wagon; it's up to you to steer it in the right direction. This mindset is crucial for maintaining perspective and not letting setbacks derail your progress.

Here are some practical steps to help you cultivate control; 

1. Don't let in your mind: Whether it's the outcome of a game or external opinions, choose what you let into your mind. This decision shapes your mental landscape.
2. Constructive Processing: If scores do enter your mind, treat them as data points. They don't define you; they're just numbers.
3. Retrospective Adjustment: If a reaction occurs, apply perspective retrospectively. Recognize negative emotions and consciously steer yourself back to a balanced mindset.

Reflecting on my journey from tennis to pickleball, I've had my share of struggles with frustration and self-criticism. Listen to the full episode as I share with you how confronting my mental approach has transformed my interaction with sports and life in general. 

Consider rating and review us, as well as share this podcast with your friends. 

Our Spring Bootcamp happening now; https://betterpickleball.com/spring-bootcamp/ 

See you inside the Pickleball System; https://betterpickleball.com/system/

Check out our resources section; https://betterpickleball.com/resources/