Has pickleball basically taken over your life? đź‘€

Pickleball identities, courts that change communities, and stories you’ll want to read between matches.

Author

Empower Pickleball
August 21, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

I still remember my first Major League Pickleball event in Columbus back in 2022. The league was brand new, the energy was electric, and you could feel something big starting. A year later in Atlanta, it was even better—closer games, nonstop fan energy, and activations that made it feel like a real sports event.

People say pickleball isn’t a spectator sport. After MLP, I’d argue the opposite. Fans aren’t just there for the score—they’re there for the connection, the atmosphere, and the chance to be part of something. And as we head into another big weekend in New York City, it’s wild to see those same breakout players from 2022 still crushing it… plus, a few fresh faces.

Which brings me to a question I should probably stop asking out loud: has pickleball fully taken over my life? (Yeah… more on that below.)

TIPS & TRICKS

Playing With a Partner Who Drains You?

Sometimes the hardest part of pickleball isn’t your opponents—it’s the person on your own side of the net. Eye rolls, muttered comments, or constant blame can take the fun out of any game fast.

The good news: you’ve got options. Small shifts in how you respond can protect your energy and even flip the vibe. Think:

  • Stay calm instead of feeding the drama

  • Use quick encouragements to reset the mood

  • Set boundaries when the negativity goes too far


đź’ˇ Why It Matters: Protecting your energy keeps the game fun—even when your partner isn’t.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Are You Pickleball, or Do You Just Play It?

Maybe you’ve noticed it in yourself—or your playing group. Matches become the anchor of the week. Every free moment gets spent on court, streaming pro matches, or shopping for new gear. Psychologists call it “identity fusion,” where the sport and the self become nearly inseparable.

That level of commitment can drive growth and community, but it also leaves players more vulnerable when things go wrong. A bad match feels personal. Skipping open play feels impossible. And the burnout? It sneaks up fast.


đź’ˇ Why It Matters: Understanding your identity in the game is the first step to keeping it healthy.

GEAR

Why Everyone’s Hanging Out at Your House

Forget the fire pit and patio furniture. A multi-use court is the kind of upgrade that actually changes how people spend time together. Pickleball, basketball, shuffleboard—you name it, and it happens right outside your door.

VersaCourt’s performance tiles are built to stay cool, bounce true, and outlast every other option. Translation: more games, fewer sour knees, and a backyard that becomes the neighborhood hotspot overnight.


đź’ˇ Why It Matters: Community starts where people gather—sometimes that’s your driveway.

COMMUNITY

“Aged Out?” Not Even Close.

Carol Ann DeMarco had the classic struggling-actress story—waiting tables, chasing auditions, and grabbing bit parts—until life pulled her in another direction. Years later, the pandemic dropped her in Cape May, where a backyard court introduced her to pickleball and a brand-new passion.

That spark turned into a two-year creative project: writing, producing, and starring in Pickleball is Life: Dill With It, a mockumentary now winning awards at film festivals across the world. And the community that rallied behind her? Still courtside, cheering every step.


đź’ˇ Why It Matters: Pickleball doesn’t just create players—it creates second acts.

  • “Pickleball Obsession” — Fallon Edition 🎯 The Tonight Show brought on a pickleball player to speak on Florida’s proposed ban, and it hits a little too close to home.

  • Mad Drops Make a Splash đź’° Major League Pickleball’s L.A. franchise just sold a controlling stake at a $13M valuation—a new league record.

  • College Pickleball Gets a Boost 🎓 APP, Selkirk, USA Pickleball, and NIRSA are teaming up to launch a full collegiate series with qualifiers, big prize money, and national championships.

Pickleball Recovery, Upgraded.

Let’s be honest—pickleball doesn’t hurt while you’re playing. It hurts later. When your knees start talking back, your elbow had Opinions™, or the post-court headache kicks in, TheraICE® is the low-effort fix we’re obsessed with right now.

Their cold therapy sleeves and head wrap are made for real-life recovery: slide one on after you play, feel the chill and compression do their thing, and get back to moving like yourself again. No messy ice packs. No straps. Just relief.

This Week on Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil

You’ve met them: the 3.5 who swears they’re pro material, decked out in flashy gear and serving side-eye along with their third shots. In this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina and Neil, they’re talking ego, reality checks, and what it really takes to improve.

đź“ş Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Stop Standing Around Looking Miserable đź‘€

Cooler weather doesn’t mean short days—fall play still comes with hours of waiting around. And nothing kills your energy faster than leaning against a fence wishing you could sit down.

This collapsible stool folds flat, weighs almost nothing, and sets up in seconds. It actually holds up (400 lbs, no joke), and it’s way comfier than it looks. Court days are tiring enough; this little seat keeps you fresh so your legs aren't toast before the match even starts.