Still using that paddle? Your coach wouldn’t.

Real advice, real players, and the one zone you really shouldn’t linger in.

Author

Empower Pickleball
July 24, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

Apparently, we’ve reached the era where your pickleball rating might land you a date. A new app is making the rounds that helps players meet through shared court time before anyone talks about “green flags” or favorite podcasts. Honestly? Not the worst way to vet someone.

I’ll be putting that theory to the test (minus the romance part) while I’m on vacation for the next couple of weeks—lots of pickleball with my in-laws on their new court. It’s great, except I’m somehow the designated ref and rule explainer. Again. And again.

Now let’s get into what’s new this week.

TIPS & TRICKS

How to Survive (and Win) in the Transition Zone

The dreaded middle zone is where points go to die, but they don’t have to. This guide breaks down how to move through the transition zone with strategy and control. From when to drive vs. drop to how to keep your positioning sharp, here’s the no-BS blueprint for playing smarter in the game’s trickiest spot.

Key reminders:

  • Don’t camp there—move with purpose.

  • Drive when the ball’s high and you’ve got a target.

  • Drop when you need time and they’re waiting at the net.

  • Stay low, paddle up, and be ready to react.

  • The kitchen is the goal. Always.


💡 Why It Matters: Because floating a ball mid-transition is how regret is born.

INSIGHTS

What Your Coach’s Paddle Says About Yours

Pro players get the spotlight, but coaches are the real gear testers—playing for hours, drilling with students, and recommending paddles that actually perform. We asked Gina Cilento and Lee Whitwell what they use and why. Their answer? Forget the flash. Trust the feel.

So, What Should You Look For?

  • Power vs. control: What’s your game missing?

  • Shape and weight: Elongated for reach, widebody for forgiveness.

  • Grip feel: If it’s not comfortable, it’s not right.

  • Consistency > hype: Ignore surface noise—focus on what works.

The right paddle helps you play smarter and more confidently. Not louder.


💡 Why It Matters: Because the right paddle isn’t about trends—it’s about trust.

COMMUNITY

72 and Unstoppable

Most people would slow down after 16 surgeries. But not Judy Nielsen, she picked up a paddle—and hasn’t put it down since. At 72, she’s battling chronic pain, arthritis, and fibromyalgia, yet plays six days a week and just notched a golden pickle.

The secret? Purpose, persistence, and a deep love for the game—and the women who’ve become her second family.


💡 Why It Matters: Because resilience looks a lot like Judy.

COMMUNITY

Ref. Creator. Disruptor. Meet Maddie Toren.

She didn’t just find pickleball—she built a career around it. Maddie Toren started in her garage, became the youngest certified referee in the game, and now runs a digital agency repping the sport’s top players and brands. Her path wasn’t traditional (and that’s the point). She’s making moves, breaking molds, and proving that in pickleball (and life), you don’t need permission to lead.


💡 Why It Matters: Because playing it safe doesn’t build anything new.

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 has 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

In this week’s episode of Keeping it Real with Gina and Neil, they welcome their first guest—Empower Pickleball co-founder Kim Bastien—for a convo on burnout, reinvention, and why everyday players deserve a spotlight. You’ll also hear why she started Empower Pickleball, what drives her, and what she hopes to build for the pickleball community.

📺 Watch it on YouTube
🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Speaking of recovery…

These were everywhere a few years ago, but I finally gave in—and honestly? Worth it.

The Chirp Wheel+ 4-Pack is a back pain game-changer. With four different sizes (from gentle stretch to deep-tissue dig), it hits spots no foam roller ever could. I’ve been using the 10” and 12” on rotation for post-pickleball soreness, mid-day posture resets, and that one mystery knot that won’t quit. If your back’s been hinting at revenge, this set might be your new best friend.