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-recognition-superpower/

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. I challenge you to rethink how you define success in your 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 vivid picture of the toll that constantly being underestimated can take.

Show Notes: https://betterpickleball.com/287-guest-host-cj-johnson-navigating-the-obstacles-to-being-a-women-athlete

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/