Pickleball Therapy

There's power in “seeing the story” of the game as it unfolds. Moving beyond strokes and strategies, in this podcast episode I want to challenge you as a pickleball player to deepen your awareness—recognize mechanics, anticipate play, and diagnose both strengths and flaws. Consider how much you really want to know about what’s happening under pickleball’s hood.  Show Notes: https://betterpicklebal...

In this episode, I challenge us to see wins and losses through a new lens—one of gratitude and perspective. Treat each moment both on and off the court as a singular experience. Listen in and discover how adopting “It’s amazing, why not?” can transform not only your pickleball game but also your daily life.  Show Notes:  https://betterpickleball.com/261-its-amazing-why-not/

So many players feel stuck and unable to play to their true potential. The problem isn’t you—it’s the noise. From well-meaning court advice to endless online tips, distractions cloud your clarity and keep the pickleball player inside you caged. In this episode, I explain how to cut through the noise, embrace the three pillars of pickleball, and unlock your best game.  Show Notes: https://betterpic...

Setting the right expectations can transform your mindset on the court and open the door to stronger, calmer, and more resilient play. In this episode, I'll share personal reflections and practical strategies to help you expand the “acceptable band” of behavior rather than striving for perfection. Listen now for insights you can bring directly to your play to prepare mentally, use your agency, and...

There's a challenge many players face: dealing with “the critic” on the court. Whether it’s subtle comments, unsolicited advice, or outright negativity. In this episode, I explore real community stories and offer strategies to protect your pickleball mind, keep your confidence strong and your love for the game intact.  Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/259-not-so-nice-pickleball-interaction...

In this week's episode we go back to archives where I'll share five essential steps to help you prepare mentally and physically before stepping onto the court. From clarifying why you play to setting focused intentions, warming up your body, and resetting your mindset when challenges arise. Listen in, bookmark this episode, and carry these tools into every pickleball session.  Show Notes: https://...

In this special episode I sit down with longtime student and friend Jeff Renshaw for a behind-the-scenes conversation about my upcoming book. We explore core mental performance themes—like balancing self-importance on the court, rethinking mistakes such as pop-ups, and how these concepts have shaped my journey. Listen to the full episode for a first look at the insights driving the new book.  Show...

In this episode I take you on a climb up the “Mount of Mudita,” a journey through three powerful stages of pickleball mindset growth—from realizing you’re not the center of the court, to respecting others’ paths, to celebrating your opponents’ successes. Join me and start your own climb toward pickleball enlightenment that can transform not only your game but your enjoyment of it. Show Notes: http...

"Do your best to play your best" is a deceptively simple idea, but its depth can transform the way you experience the game—and yourself. It reshapes how we approach both coaching and personal growth because the key to unlocking the best pickleball is not found in your strokes, but in how you speak to yourself after a tough game. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/256-do-your-best-to-play-you...

In this special episode, I sit down live at Major League Pickleball with Dr. Peter Scales to explore how players can elevate their mental game through mindful focus and between-point routines. We dive into powerful mindset techniques for recovering after mistakes, managing high-pressure moments, and embracing personal growth through competition. Be sure to give the episode a listen. Show Notes: ht...

Improvement in pickleball, like most things, is cumulative. You can’t skip steps. Instead of chasing trendy shots or quick fixes, in this episode I walk you through a mindset shift on how to assess your current level with clarity—and how to focus your efforts on the “must-have” shots that matter most right now.    Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/255-what-do-you-need-to-play-better-pickleb...

Are you stuck at your current level or feeling frustrated with your progress? In this episode, CJ Johnson dives deep into why chasing wins might be holding you back. She shares insights from elite athletes and practical steps that you can take right now and shift to process-based improvement. Tune in and learn to focus on what you can control—because that’s where real growth begins. Show Notes:  h...

Is there a bigger win available in the way you show up on the court? In this episode I challenge you to look beyond the immediate win to pursue a bigger victory. This could be through practical scenarios like line calls, serve legality, and rec play dynamics because empathy, patience, and intention can lead to greater growth as a pickleball player. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/253-is-t...

In this special episdoe I have the pleasure of interviewing Ty Woody, a sports performance coach as we explore how strengthening key areas of the body— like the legs and glutes — can elevate your pickleball game. We discuss common causes of elbow pain and how to address them effectively. Listen in as we break down practical steps to better body performance, no matter your playing level.  Show Note...

Theres's an often-overlooked root cause behind much of what we experience on the court: insecurity. From missed shots to disputes over line calls, in this episode I unpack how insecurity affects our mindset, behavior, and relationships in pickleball. Tune in to discover how recognizing it can transform your game to respond with empathy. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/252-the-root-cause-o...

In this week's episode we go back to archives where I'll share three essential mindset tools to help you mentally prepare before stepping onto the court. This will deepen your reason for playing, and create a positive feedback loop through intentional gratitude and clarity. Listen before your next match to elevate your mental game and play with purpose. Show Notes:  https://betterpickleball.com/25...

As pickleball players, we're constantly assessing our games—technique, shot selection, strategy. But how often do we stop to consider our partner, the fourth player on the court?  Drawing from our upcoming book and a revealing real-world encounter, I'll show you how awareness and empathy toward our partner can reshape our entire experience. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/250-how-about-yo...

In this special episode I had the pleasure of speaking with  Lydia Hirt, Vice President of Marketing at Life Time, to explore the explosive growth of pickleball across the country. Lydia shares her personal journey with the sport and highlights Life Time’s (LT) groundbreaking contributions—from building hundreds of courts nationwide to launching the innovative LT ball.  Show Notes: https://betterp...

Pickleball, like life, is variable. Some days you go 8–0. Others, you walk off the court without a single win. And both outcomes are completely normal. The key is understanding what’s expected—not in the sense of what you hope will happen, but in terms of what statistically does happen. In this episode we explore a topic that hits close to home for any serious player: how to correctly process your...

It’s one thing to say, “That was a tough match.” It’s another to say, “I lost that game.” The difference lies in focus. When you focus entirely on your own mistakes, you erase the resilience your opponents showed, the quality of the rallies, and the spirit of the contest.  In this episode we explore how our post-game reactions can either elevate or diminish not only our opponents—but ourselves.  S...

"Chasing fairies" or the seductive but unproven strategies can often lead us astray on the court. From spinning dinks to rigid rules like "forehand in the middle," it's important to understand the why behind what we do on the courts. Listen to this full episode for more clarity and a grounded conversation that strengthens your mental approach to improvement. Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.co...

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....

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://betterpicklebal...

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/