Pickleball Therapy

Professional pickleball player Richard Livornese, Jr., ranked in the APP top 10, shares his inspiring journey from casual play during the COVID pandemic to pro tournaments. He candidly discusses the pressure of rising expectations and his transformative encounter with Stoicism following unexpected losses in 2023. Richard emphasizes the importance of a strong mindset, reframing goals toward personal growth, and practicing self-forgiveness. He also recommends resources for those interested in Stoic philosophy, making this a must-listen for players at any level.

Discover the transformative power of frustration as a vital part of personal growth. Explore the concept of the 'learning space' where ignorance meets knowledge, and frustration becomes a sign of progress. Understand how conquering each challenge in pickleball opens the door to new ones, creating continuous opportunities for improvement. Embrace the dynamic nature of learning, and see how navigating these ups and downs strengthens your resilience both on and off the court.

Open play can be interesting with players of varying skill levels playing and enjoying the game together. But that's not always the case when dynamics of it set in and players advance in skill; exclusivity sneaks in and can lead to less inclusive play. In this episode we discuss the state of play in terms of how players at different levels interact with each other. This arose from our state of play event that we had a couple of weeks back.  Here's the thing, we have more control over things than we may think and we do a couple of things when it comes to social play to help that such as; Trying to keep an open eye for dedicated players in lower-level courts and inviting them to join your group. Nurture a supportive community while working on specific aspects of your game. Step into the shoes of those playing at different levels by playing with them – it’s a great way to foster inclusivity. Become an organizer to mix different levels of players. Online tools and resources can simplify the process of organizing inclusive events and ensure everyone feels welcome and valued.And then I'm going to share with you a personal story about progress and taking a step back in terms of your journey as a pickleball player.  Join our email list to get notified about the March open play event; https://betterpickleball.com/ or check out the event here; https://betterpickleball.com/spring-bootcamp/Find online tools and resources on Pickleheads; https://www.pickleheads.com/Bookmark episode; Mental Warmup: Prepare to Play Your Best; https://betterpickleball.com/1525-mental-warmup-prepare-to-play-your-best-bookmark-episode/

'The good thing about pressure is that it lets you know that you care.' Billy Jean King. The difficulty comes in when you let the pressure build up too much that it spills over into our hobbies and sports, including pickleball. It's perfectly normal for players to start feeling pressure in terms of their performance but not to the point where you're not having fun or can't function anymore. Here are three ways to release pressure and help you stay focused and relaxed on the court;1. Between-Rally Pauses; A simple yet effective way to reset between rallies using brief pauses to take a mental step back. This allows your brain to slow down and it could be in form of paddle tap or removing the paddle from your hand to reduce tension and allow your body and mind to relax.2. Breathing Techniques; Focusing on your breath can help shift attention away from stressful thoughts and bring a sense of calm. In this episode I explain to you two techniques you can try to that bring focus and calmness.3. Change Your Approach Strategically; If a particular strategy or shot isn’t working, it might be time for a tactical change. For instance, if you’re struggling with your third shot drops, try driving the ball instead. This switch not only relieves pressure but can also improve your rhythm.In the RIFF I share with you why sticking to a successful formula during competitive play maximizes your chance of success, using an example of a PPA match that happened during the Mesa Cup.Anna Bright's great framing after the game; https://betterpickleball.com/232-anna-brights-positive-perspective-win-or-lose/Upcoming boot camp in March; https://betterpickleball.com/march-bootcamp/Get on our email list; https://betterpickleball.com/Check out Pickleheads website; https://www.pickleheads.com/Have a feedback? We'd love to hear from you; therapy@betterpickleball.comSee you in the next episode!

In this special episode of Pickleball Therapy we sit down for an insightful and fun conversation with Shelley and Sher, the duo behind Life Lessons from Pickleball.We discuss the genesis of their podcast, their relationship with pickleball,  eye-opening moments from their mental side of playing pickleball and much more!Listen to the full episode as the duo shares with us how they deal with competitive partners, the pressure of improvement and more importantly, enjoying the journey and focusing on personal growth rather than just results.Check out and support Shelley and Sher at https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com/ or you can find them on any podcast platform.If you want to listen to the mentioned podcast episode featuring Tony as the guest, go to https://www.lifelessonsfrompickleballpodcast.com/2311660/episodes/16612545-e43-tony-roig-winning-strategies-for-pickleball-and-beyond

In doing some video review for a project I was working on, I came across some really good interview answer by Anna Bright, a top pickleball player in the world right now. When asked about what happened and despite losing the gold medals match, Anna expressed some thoughts that just reminded me of how we can have a better, a more constructive interaction with the sport that we play. She focused on the bigger picture of enjoying the sport and recognizing the value of competition while maintaining a positive outlook because there's other pieces to the puzzle that are more than just us on the court, more than just ourselves as individuals.That's a classical example of reframing. Instead of worrying so much about the volume of shots you missed, you pivot away from it to the bigger story and bigger picture of the situation.The next time you step onto the court, reframe the challenges, celebrate the competition, and most importantly, enjoy the game. Whether you win or lose, you're always gaining something valuable.Coach Pete's book on mental training; https://betterpickleball.com/resources/Coach Pete's Playbook. Visit: coacheschoice.com and use Code CLH50 at checkout.Note that the Book and Playbook are two separate resources. To get the most out of the experience, recommend ordering the Book from the link in Resources and the Playbook as described here. Please leave Amazon reviews for each of them as it helps Coach Pete reach more players with his powerful message.Bowl of ice cream concept; https://betterpickleball.com/winning-is-a-bowl-of-ice-cream/The Pickleball System class Spring opening; https://betterpickleball.com/system/

At first glance, pickleball might seem simple—just a paddle, a plastic ball, and a court. But as you play more, you'll realize the sport's complexity. It's a puzzle that challenges you, both as a player and as a person, and that's what keeps us coming back. Think of pickleball as an onion, used for many purposes, it's delicious, complex, deep, but can also lead to crying. The onion layers represent various aspects of the sport and personal growth, and each layer you peel back reveals another, deeper layer.Let's explore how this analogy can help you engage with the game more effectively and avoid frustration;i) In Play: Concentrate on specific skills and mastering the current layer of your game during play. This helps you avoid being overwhelmed by every aspect of the game at once.ii) In Improvement: Understand that you can't skip layers, master the basics before moving to more complex strategies. All that requires patience. Work on your current skills and trust that you'll get to those layers in time.iii) In Personal Development and Objective Progress: Recognize that there are layers you can't see yet. This awareness helps you stay positive and motivated, knowing that with time and effort, you'll uncover new aspects of the game. Continually peel back layers of understanding about yourself, your mindset, and how you interact for personal growth.Be part of our email list; https://betterpickleball.com/See you on the next episode!

Get ready to elevate your pickleball experience with mental strategies that prioritize enjoyment over competition. Delve into your relationship with the game by reflecting on what keeps you returning to the court. Embrace mistakes as natural parts of play, categorizing shots as 'Yay' or 'Oops' to ease pressure. Finally, practice gratitude after each game, enhancing your appreciation for the opportunity to play. This approach promises a more fulfilling and enjoyable time on the courts!

 In this weeks podcast we talk about different strokes for different folks. We got a couple of reviews I'm going to read to you here because I thought it was interesting. I'll start with a shout out that's a five-star game-changing review which says 'the podcast really helped me,' and explains why. The second review is one-star, and it's entitled 'Hot Air Nonsense.' Both people listened to the same podcast, yet their takeaways couldn’t have been more different. And that’s perfectly fine. Not every approach resonates with every person. I give them credit for listening to several of the podcasts episodes.That got me thinking about the idea worth reminding ourselves from time to time, that we're not all identical. How we interact with the sport of pickleball will be different depending on who we are. Some of us will interact with it more competitively, some for exercise and others will interact with it more socially. Some are in a place where the understanding of the game is at a level Eight out of 10, others are at a level 5 out of 10 and that's okay in terms of just understanding the game. Additionally, there's different ways of approaching how you want to address pickleball, meaning are you going to play the game? Be mindful of you and what you allow into your ecosystem, and ask questions, challenge it, and make sure that it's something that is going to be additive or positive for you in your journey.Sign up for our email list to get notified of upcoming events and trainings; https://betterpickleball.com/

In this engaging discussion, Ty Woody, a sports performance coach specializing in pickleball, shares his insights on optimizing performance and preventing injuries. He emphasizes the crucial role of strength training and warm-up routines for all players. Ty reveals how professional athletes manage recovery and stress while playing at high levels. He provides practical tips for amateur players on incorporating weight training into their routine, ensuring they enjoy the sport long-term.