You can't control every event in your journey, but you can control how you respond. And control goes beyond the physical aspect to include a mental dimension too.

Sometimes when things happen to us in pickleball, we tend to externalize them by blaming external factors. The idea is, you can control how you react to those events to dictate the pace and outcome of the game.

Just like holding the reins of a wagon; it's up to you to steer it in the right direction. This mindset is crucial for maintaining perspective and not letting setbacks derail your progress.

Here are some practical steps to help you cultivate control;

1. Don't let in your mind: Whether it's the outcome of a game or external opinions, choose what you let into your mind. This decision shapes your mental landscape.
2. Constructive Processing: If scores do enter your mind, treat them as data points. They don't define you; they're just numbers.
3. Retrospective Adjustment: If a reaction occurs, apply perspective retrospectively. Recognize negative emotions and consciously steer yourself back to a balanced mindset.

Reflecting on my journey from tennis to pickleball, I've had my share of struggles with frustration and self-criticism. Listen to the full episode as I share with you how confronting my mental approach has transformed my interaction with sports and life in general.

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Will a smile help your pickleball game? While there might not be specific studies on the effect of smiling in sports, research shows that smiling can positively affect our attitude, calm our nerves, and enhance our overall well-being.

On this episode CJ Johnson shares a story from her visit to the BNP Paribas Open in Palm Springs, where she observed a match between Frances Tiafoe, the 17th ranked tennis player in the world, and Yosuke Watanuki, ranked 349th.

Despite the significant ranking gap and missing some shots, Watanuki's demeanor while playing was remarkable. The key highlights being;

1. Staying Positive: Watanuki entered the match with a big smile. Even when he missed a shot, he didn’t let it get to him. Instead, he kept that positive energy flowing, which helped him stay focused.
2. Engaging the Crowd: Normally, Tiafoe is the crowd favorite, but Watanuki’s genuine enjoyment of the game drew some of the crowd to his side. His smile made people appreciate his performance, showing how a good attitude can shift the atmosphere.
3. Enjoying the Game: Watanuki celebrated both his good shots and the ones he missed. This attitude allowed him to stay in the moment, which is crucial in a match.

In sports, maintaining a positive mindset can allow players to stay in the present moment, relaxed and focused.

Try to smile during your pickleball games, regardless of whether you make or miss a shot. Observe how this affects your mindset, you might find that it helps calm your nerves, improve your focus, and ultimately enhance your performance.

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We had the pleasure of featuring a pro pickleball player, Richard Livornese Jr., in this special episode. It will be interesting to listen to the discussion, not just about the mechanics of the sport, but the mental journey that accompanies it.

Richard shares insights about his pickleball journey which began four years ago during the COVID pandemic. Despite his achievements, Richard, like many of us, faced moments of doubt and frustration.

In this episode he discusses the mental challenges he faced, including the pressure of expectations and the pursuit of success in pickleball.

His turning point came in 2023 after a series of unexpected losses. This led him to explore stoicism and mental resilience, which transformed his approach to the game—and life.

Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting your pickleball journey, there are valuable takeaways from Richard’s experience.

If you're curious about exploring Stoicism further, Richard and I discussed a few resources that might interest you:

• Podcast: "Stoicism on Fire" offers digestible insights into Stoic philosophy and how it can be applied to modern life.
• Book: "The Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer, although not strictly Stoic, provides valuable guidance on understanding your inner thoughts and achieving emotional freedom.

Check out Richard Livornese, Jr. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richard_pickleball/ and YouTube