Pickleball Therapy

Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.

Carol, a member of our community, posted about a pattern in her weekend group. After almost every point, someone apologizes. She keeps telling them there are no sorries in pickleball. It isn't sinking in.

In this episode, Coach Tony invited Coach Kyleen from the TRP coaching team to join him in the conversation. Kyleen has lived the experience Carol conveyed. She started playing with a group of women who were all new to the game. Same level, same mistakes. They still apologized to each other. We see it at our camps too...

A player I have known for years told me they did not think they could advance in the game. If that player believes it, others do too. So this week I want to be clear. There is no real limit on your growth as a pickleball player. Not age. Not ability. The only limit is your decision not to grow. What actually derails players is trying to do too many things at once. The fix is one thing at a time. Lock it in, let the positive feedback loop build, then move to the next one.

Second...

Doubles pickleball is a team sport just like football or basketball. Two players instead of 5 or 11, but the same dynamics apply: your team plays its best when both players are in sync.

You cannot control your partner. But you can communicate with them, and there's a constructive way to do that. 

The second idea is sonder. Everyone on the court is walking their own path. Your partner included. That matters most in the small moments, like when someone apologizes after a miss. Tony explains why the "sorry" reflex tends to make the dynamic more uncomfortable, a...

A ceramics instructor swapped a ball for a "priceless" vase and watched his class tense up. Nobody forgot how to catch. They just became afraid of what dropping it would mean.

That shift happens in pickleball too. Early on, the game is just fun. Then the expectations arrive, and the same missed shot that meant nothing now feels like a big deal. This week I talk about how expectations change how you interpret what happens on the court, and why setting them before you play protects the enjoyment that makes this sport worth coming back to.

There is a lot going on in a pickleball game. Four players, several rallies inside every rally, the lob, the dink, the banger, the volley you got jammed on. And underneath all of it, a conversation running in your head about the score, your partner, the wind, the shot you should have made.

That's all sound. No silence anywhere.

The week before a live coaching call, Tony visited an art exhibit called "Silence Before Sound." One room, roughly the size of a small house, held three pieces of art. That was intentional. They could have...

Episode 309: Use the Force Luke (and Leia)

A floater comes at you. It's just hanging there in space, waiting. Game point. Everybody on the next court has stopped to watch. You bring the paddle up, you swing, and the ball goes straight into the net.

You have to be kidding me.

So what happened? The natural response of any athlete is to go to mechanics. I mishit it. Something in my swing broke down. Something in my grip, my footwork, my paddle face.

I'm going to suggest to you that more...

Episode 308: The Definitive Guide to Out Ball Disputes

Here's the situation. Score is 10-9-2. Your team is serving. You hit a volley, crisp, and it lands right on the line. A hair in or a hair out.
Your opponent calls it out.

You're sure it was in. What now?

Most of us go straight to the challenge. That instinct makes sense. You saw what you saw, the point mattered, and nobody likes losing a game on a call they don't agree with.

But before you say anything, run through...

Christine Hobson retired at 60. Two days later, she ran her first marathon.

She has run more than 100 since. Every continent. A world record in Antarctica. And when she describes it, she does not lead with the marathons. She leads with what the first one taught her: she had been underestimating herself the whole time.

That is the topic this week.

We do this as humans. We try something, it does not go well, and we file it away as evidence. Enough of those and we start building a case against ourselves. I hear...

You put a filter on your kitchen sink. You don't want debris getting into your plumbing.So here's the question a Buddhist monk asked on a podcast recently: how many of us have a filter for our mind?

This week we look at filtration. Not the sink kind. The kind that decides which pickleball information gets into your head and which information gets blocked at the door. There is a lot of content out there. Some of it is wrong. Some of it is incomplete. Some of it is fine, but not for you, not right now. Without a...

Episode 305: Ridiculously Optimistic

The clip

I open this one with a message from a content creator who goes by Writer's Cramp. The theme: be ridiculously optimistic about your future, aim higher than seems reasonable, and do not let other people talk you out of what you want. Worth the ninety seconds.

These messages always strike me the same way. You hear them and think, well, yes, obviously. So then ask yourself the real question. Why wouldn't you live that way?

What you actually control

Let's be clear...

PICKLEBALL THERAPY  ·  SHOW NOTES

Episode 304 – Tap Your Flow

 What this episode is about

Flow is not something you go out and acquire. It is already in you. This week I make the case for that, and then I show you what the work for finding your flow actually is.

Do you already have flow? Yes.

Picture yourself waiting to return serve. The serve gets hit. What happens next is remarkable, and you do it without thinking about it:

•     Your brain track...

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Check out our new website, join our Community, and get free pickleball coaching and more at https://www.tonyroigpickleball.com/

Take a minute this week to think about your next 10 years.

Not tomorrow. Not next week. Ten years out.

In this episode, Tony walks through a simple exercise. Where are you now, and where do you want to be a decade from now as a pickleball player? It's a kind of audit. A way to check in on your journey...

A special episode. This one's a little different.

I'm sharing something I've been building: Tony Roig Pickleball, the next phase of my coaching journey. In this episode, I walk you through what it is, where it came from, and what it means for you as a player.

If you're a player who wants to genuinely know this sport, this is for you. Mini courses, coaching playbooks, camps, one-on-one coaching, a newsletter. All of it pointed at one thing: helping you grow.

One more thing worth saying. Finances should never be an impediment to...

Thanks for joining us on Pickleball Therapy - the podcast dedicated to your pickleball improvement. If you have not yet subscribed to the podcast ... wait what?? you haven't subscribed? ... you know what to do.

If you can STOP chasing winners, you will win more. What??? Yes. When you chase winners, you make more mistakes. When you make more mistakes, you lose more points. Simple as that.

Stick with the program: make less errors - and you will win more rallies (and games). One powerful way to do this is by going for less winners. Stop...

This week, Tony reads from Pickleball Therapy: The Book — specifically the opening of Part Four, "Our Place with Pickleball."

The framing comes from Copernicus. For a long time, humans believed the Earth sat at the center of the universe. It made sense at the time. Then Copernicus came along and changed the picture.

We do the same thing on the pickleball court. We put ourselves at the center of everything that happens out there. The miss? Must be my fault. The lost rally? I should have done something differently. Tony walks through a scenario most pl...

Episode 300. Hard to believe. 

What are the mosquitoes in your pickleball? Your opponent's shot that trickles over the net. The unlucky bounce. The gust of wind. The wrong call. The lead you watched slip away. Each one is just part of the game, and each one can derail you if you let it. If you can identify your mosquitoes before they show up, you'll be ready when they do. And the better you get at it on the pickleball court, the better you get at it in life.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/300-is-your-mosquito-derailing-you

In this episode, I explore two important ideas that can help you build a healthier and more productive relationship with pickleball. The first is why your pickleball journey belongs to you and how recognizing your own agency can help you navigate challenges, setbacks, and social dynamics on the court. Then we examine why so many players get distracted by so-called "magic bullets" and why lasting improvement comes from focusing on fundamentals rather than shortcuts. 

Show Notes:  https://betterpickleball.com/299-its-your-journey-plus-avoid-distraction

Let's explore this mental performance concept I call the “I Care Beam”—the idea that the significance we assign to pickleball experiences is entirely within our control. By consciously focusing our attention on the aspects of the game that bring us joy, growth, friendship, and health, we can reduce the emotional weight of mistakes and losses. Listen to the full episode for a fresh way to engage with pickleball and protect your enjoyment of the sport. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/298-focus-your-i-care-beam

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. Listen in for these and more on peaks and valleys, and Tony's reframe of what a "valley" really is.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/1540...

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, or anything else your body used to do without thinking. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/297-your-body-your-pickleball/

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://betterpickleball.com/1539-special-episode-rallying-at-the-rally-house-with-nick-dawson/

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://betterpickleball.com/296-avoiding-mental-limiters

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-better-gauging-your-play-the-right-way

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.com/294-body-and-mind/ ‎

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 to strengthen your mental game and stay engaged, even in tough matches. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/293-lean-into-the-good-voice-from-the-ppa-atlanta

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-special-episode-the-pickled-mind-with-kayla-teape

In this episode, I reflect on lessons from the 2026 US Open with a special emphasis on how a calm mind leads to better performance on the court. Whether in competition or rec play, celebrate small victories along the way. Mindset, physical readiness, and perspective can elevate both your enjoyment and your level of play. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/292-lessons-for-all-from-the-2026-us-open

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.com/291-your-why-for-pickleball/ ‎

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 Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/290-find-your-intensity-goldilocks-zone/

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 me to be your Coach and Guide, send me an email at tony@betterpickleball.com and put the words "coach me" in the subject line.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/289-r...

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, and entrepreneurs all converge on one idea: fail first, learn first. Then we bring it home to pickleball.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/1537-special-episode-alec-martone-the-fail-first-podcast

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. 

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/288-setting-realistic-expectations/

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 golf pro who outdrove most men, to receiving unsolicited advice on the pickleball court despite being a widely recognized coach, CJ's experiences paint a vivi...

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.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/special-episode-refinding-the-joy-in-pickleball-with-pickleballnikki

In this episode of Pickleball Therapy, we explore the unique challenges of playing mixed doubles with your spouse or life partner. From creating a communication plan to embracing the reality of missed shots, learn practical strategies to strengthen your on-court partnership by turning “mixed troubles” into growth.

Show Notes:  https://betterpickleball.com/286-mixed-troubles-playing-with-your-significant-other

Everyday comments and assumptions can impact confidence and belonging on the court. In this episode, we reflect on locker room banter, self-awareness, and community responsibility. The episode also includes a coaching reflection on handling conflict and a listener's question about the third-shot drop.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/285-hows-your-sister-doing/ 

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-for-you/

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-converting-your-game/ ‎