Pickleball Therapy

There's something meaningful —something worthy of care, attention, and long-term commitment about pickleball. My personal hopes for you as a pickleball player—on the court and beyond is that you're building a lifelong relationship with the sport. Because pickleball can strengthen your body, sharpen your mind, and deepen your personal growth.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/284-my-hope-fo...

Stress is not the enemy in pickleball—it’s the very fabric of the game and embracing it can accelerate your growth and transform your mindset on the court. In this episode of Pickleball Therapy, I want to challenge you as a player to rethink stress as a positive force that strengthens resilience and sharpens your performance. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/283-embrace-the-stress/

One-third of your improvement journey will feel uncomfortable and if you’re serious about getting better, struggle is not a sign of failure—it’s evidence of growth. On this episode, you'll learn how to navigate frustration, push beyond your comfort zone, and embrace the process that leads to real, lasting improvement. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/282-the-rule-of-thirds/

Are you converting all of the ability you have into performance on the court? In this episode, I'll use a solar panel analogy to explore how intentionality, clarity, and focus—especially on serves and returns—can dramatically improve results without adding new shots or techniques. Listen in to learn how to unlock more of your existing game.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/281-are-you-con...

Pickleball doesn’t test us when everything is going well—it tests us when preparation, pressure, and performance don’t fully align. That’s exactly what happened during a recent tournament I played, and the experience offered valuable insight that I share in this episode, into how expectations, focus, and resilience work in competitive play.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/280-learning-fr...

One of the most overlooked performance skills in pickleball is focus. Mental distractions like the score, past mistakes, or partner reactions can quietly erode performance. Listen in to learn practical techniques to stay present, free mental bandwidth, and focus on what truly matters- the ball. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/279-the-ball-the-ball-the-ball/

Knowing when to say “no thank you” on the court and learning to celebrate effort beyond simple wins and losses is a powerful mindset shift. I challenge you to reclaim your agency, protect your experience, and rethink success in pickleball and sport. Listen to the full episode for a deeper perspective on healthy competition and mental resilience.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/278-no-tha...

An “In and Out for 2026” mindset can help you, as a pickleball player, reset how you approach improvement, partnership, and self-talk on the court. I challenge you to remove what no longer serves you and replace it with intentional, growth-focused choices. Support yourself and others, and begin 2026 with clarity and purpose. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/277-in-and-out-for-this-year/

In this year-end episode of Pickleball Therapy, I invite you to think differently about your game by using pickleball as a canvas for growth in 2026. Beyond wins and losses, pickleball can challenge your mind, strengthen your body, and support personal development on and off the court. Listen in as you prepare to step into the new year with intention and purpose. Show Notes: https://betterpickleba...

There's a powerful principle that limits many players without them realizing it: doing too much. From overly complicated mechanics and layered strategies to mental overload on the court, excess complexity creates inconsistency and stress. Listen in to discover why simplifying your shots, game plans, and focus can unlock better performance, calmer decision-making, and a more confident pickleball ex...

The win-loss metric tells you nothing about how well you actually played. In this episode, I break down how process-driven metrics lead to more meaningful improvement and I'll also offer a personal lesson in body awareness after a preventable back flare-up. Listen in to reshape your mindset and strengthen your pickleball journey.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/ep-274-winloss-tells-you-n...

Your improvement as a pickleball player naturally includes steep climbs, plateaus, and moments of ease—and each stage is essential to your growth as a player. I like to compare the mental journey of improvement in pickleball to climbing mountains because that’s exactly how it should be. Listen in to this episode to reconnect with your progress as a player and deepen your mindset for the road ahead...

In this Thanksgiving episode of Pickleball Therapy , I invite you to pause, acknowledge the people and places that make your play possible, and carry this gratitude into your game. There are often-overlooked gifts pickleball provides—from community and health to travel, learning, and personal growth. Listen to the full episode for a guide through a reflective thankfulness practice to strengthen yo...

It’s natural to admire players who succeed. But trying to become them—rather than learning from them—can derail your progression. Your personal identity shapes your decisions, style, and your on-court experience as a pickleball player. Listen to this episode to develop greater clarity and confidence in your game that honors your natural tendencies.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/271-do-...

One of the most common challenges players face is mental overwhelm. I'm going to break down how too many thoughts on mechanics, strategy, and performance can short-circuit your game, drawing from real tournament experiences. Listen in and learn how to let go, breathe, and reset between rallies to bring your best self to every point using three powerful ways. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.co...

In this special on-site episode, I share reflections from the Major League Pickleball event in Dallas, drawing out lessons that apply directly to your journey as a player. From the mindset of Ben Johns to the mental fortitude of Christian Alshon, and even a reflection from the World Series, these lessons all point toward one truth: growth in pickleball is growth in life. Show Notes: https://better...

In this special episode, I sit down with longtime friend and fellow coach, Scott Golden, to explore The Tao of Pickleball , his new book co-authored with Jeff Morris. We uncover how Eastern philosophy and mindful practice can transform your approach to the game. Join us as we discuss patience, trust, and the process of growth on and off the court.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/1535-spe...

Are you anchored to a clear, guiding framework—or drifting from one random tip to another? In this episode I share with you why a tethered approach brings deeper understanding, steadier growth, and greater fulfillment on the court. Tune in to learn how to anchor your learning and mindset for lasting improvement in your pickleball game.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/268-are-you-tethered...

One of the most common yet destructive ideas in sports is that “a good loser is still a loser.” The language we use around winning and losing shapes our pickleball mindset. Listen in and learn how to replace harmful narratives with a healthier, more balanced approach to competition—one that strengthens both your game and your joy.   Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/267-a-good-loser-is-stil...

The often-overlooked art of strategic awareness refers to the mental readiness that helps you anticipate what’s unfolding on the court. In this episode, I'll explain how strategic awareness sharpens your decisions and calms your mind under pressure through three key scenarios—the stay-back returner, the lobing opponent, and the stack-unwind formation.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/266-...

In this episode of Pickleball Therapy , I introduce an excerpt from my new book Pickleball Therapy: The Book , read by longtime listener Jeff Renshaw. We explore the “Short Lens Spiral”—a mindset trap that keeps players fixated on a single mistake instead of the full joy of the game and how shifting from the short lens to the long lens can restore perspective and confidence. Listen in to reconnect...

Ever missed a shot and immediately thought, “I just need to fix my stroke” ? What if the real problem wasn’t your stroke at all, but something deeper—something hidden? In this episode, I share practical insights into diagnosing these hidden flaws so you can play with clarity and confidence. Show Notes:  https://betterpickleball.com/264-fix-your-latent-errors/

In this episode, we explore the deeper philosophy behind how we approach our sport. Contrasting Nike’s “Just Do It” mentality with ASICS’ guiding principle of “a sound mind in a sound body,” I challenge you to reflect on the mindset we bring to the pickleball court because long-term joy in pickleball is found in calm, comfort, and the journey—not just domination. Show Notes: https://betterpickleba...

With so much information flooding in from courts and YouTube, players can feel overwhelmed. In this episode, I help you cut through the noise, showing how simplicity and sound mechanics lead to true consistency. Listen in to shift your mindset and discover how embracing the basics can unlock confidence and success on the court.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/1534-special-episode-basic-c...

Pickleball is one of the most complex activities you can engage in, and that complexity is exactly what makes the game both beautiful and, at times, frustrating. The complexities demand patience, step-by-step growth, and realistic expectations. Listen in for guidance on how to face the hidden frustration many players feel when they chase quick-fix identities like becoming a “blank player.” Show No...