Pickleball Therapy

In this special episode, Tony sits down with Neely Sullivan and Natasha Linton, the co-hosts of the Real Housewives of Pickleball podcast, for a conversation on how they each came to pickleball, what Neely and Natasha took away from their recent interview with Anna Bright (especially her use of the word "conscious"), and why focusing on one or two things per rec session is more useful than trying to fix everything at once....

The better your body feels, the better you play. And the better you live. In this episode we discuss the idea of nutritious movement (the same way you need a variety of foods, you need a variety of ways your body moves and loads), and why walking outside does more for you than almost anything else you can do. Rediscover movement patterns you may have lost because there is no shame in needing to relearn how to jump, or walk...

In this special episode, I sit down with Nick Dawson at Rally House in Carlsbad, California, to talk about the other side of the house. The side most of us never see. You will hear how Nick went from a backyard court during Covid to an 11-court club, why the permitting took 11 months and not the 5 he expected, and what it actually takes to turn an empty warehouse into a place a community calls home. 

Show Notes: https://bet...

In this episode, Tony breaks down the kinds of mental noise that quietly wreck your play: a disputed score, an out call you cannot let go of, a missed shot that follows you into the next rally, and the low-grade pressure you put on yourself just to play well. None of it has anything to do with your stroke, but all of it shows up in your strokes. Free up the bandwidth. Use it on pickleball.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleba...

A healthier and more productive way to measure progress on the pickleball court is to evaluate growth through points earned, rallies extended, and resilience shown under pressure. If you’ve ever felt discouraged by results that don’t reflect your effort or improvement, this episode offers a mindset shift that can transform how you approach your development as a player. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/295-measure-b...

Pickleball strengthens far more than your game —it is a pathway toward a stronger body, a sharper mind, and a fuller life. In this episode, we draw on reflections at the PPA Tour and a powerful article on pickleball and Parkinson’s disease to examine the connection between movement, balance, cognitive growth, and emotional well-being because pickleball is more than just better shots.

Show Notes:  https://betterpickleball.co...

In this episode, we explore the powerful mental framework of “self-one” and “self-two” so you, as a pickleball player, can become more intentional about which internal voice you choose to follow. Drawing from both classic sports psychology and real-world competition, we highlight how leaning into the supportive voice—rather than the critical one—can transform performance and enjoyment on the court. Listen in to learn how t...

If you’ve ever felt your love for pickleball slipping under pressure, this conversation with Kayla Teape of Pickled Minds offers a meaningful reset. We explore a critical challenge facing pickleball players: how to pursue improvement without losing the joy that drew you to the game. We also examine intention, community, and the power of creating supportive playing environments. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/1538...

Anchoring to your “why” can shift your mindset and elevate both your performance and fulfillment. In this episode, I want to challenge you to define your true “why” for playing pickleball and explore how that clarity transforms your on-court experience. Move beyond wins and losses to focus on the deeper reasons—connection, growth, and enjoyment—that sustain your passion for the game. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.co...

Managing intensity on the pickleball court helps players find their personal “Goldilocks zone” between overexertion and disengagement. In this episode, we draw on real examples and mental performance principles to explain how both excessive emotional release and low focus can hinder performance. Listen in for practical strategies to maintain steady, effective intensity throughout play and elevate your consistency. 

Show Not...

There's an often-overlooked superpower of recognition and it directly impacts your performance on the court. On this episode, we break recognition into three practical levels, from tracking your own shot execution to identifying opponent patterns and uncovering what’s holding your game back. Learn how strengthening this mental skill can guide smarter decisions and help you play with greater clarity and purpose.

If you want ...

What if failure wasn't the thing to avoid — but the fastest path to getting better? In this special episode of Pickleball Therapy, I sit down with Alec Martone,  host of the Fail First Project podcast, for a conversation that goes well beyond pickleball. Alec shares his personal journey — from getting the yips as a baseball catcher, to navigating fear and regret, to building a platform where neuroscientists,  pro athletes,...

Unrealistic expectations quietly fuel frustration on the court. In this special episode, we examine the “win or bust” mindset many players adopt to rethink how we define success in our sessions. Drawing insights from Pickleball Therapy, The Book, this episode offers a more grounded approach—one that accepts both wins and losses as part of the game. Listen in to reset your expectations and elevate your mental performance. 

S...

What does it mean to fight to be seen as an athlete — not once, but across an entire lifetime? In this episode of Pickleball Therapy, guest host CJ Johnson — co-head coach at Better Pickleball and a professional skier and PGA golf professional — shares her personal story of navigating life as a woman athlete over five decades. From being called "son" on the ski lift as a child, to being redirected to the women's tees as a ...

In this special episode of Pickleball Therapy, I sit down with Nikki Maldonado of Pickleball Nikki to explore a powerful mindset challenge: how players can rediscover joy as competition and expectations increase. Nikki shares how pickleball helped her reconnect with herself during a difficult time and explains the inspiration behind the Pickleball Joy Pledge—a commitment to keep the game uplifting, supportive, and fun.

Sho...