Stop Rushing the Net. Seriously.

Training tips, real talk, and the $225 backpack we actually love.

Author

Empower Pickleball
July 31, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes

Imagine being a professional athlete, but Google only recognizing you as an online personality. That’s a little bit of a gut punch. And the bigger question—does that mean Google still doesn’t consider pickleball a real sport? Because after sweating through hours of games this week with my in-laws (who are somehow not affected by the heat at all??), I can tell you: it’s real. It’s cardio. It’s footwork. It’s strategy. And it’s 100% more intense when you’re the youngest person on the court and still somehow losing.

No internet personality title for me anytime soon—just some deeply humbling rec play and a growing appreciation for hydration tablets.

Here’s what’s happening:

TIPS & TRICKS

Getting to the Kitchen Without Getting Smoked

If you've ever tried to move up to the kitchen line and immediately gotten punished, you're not alone. Rushing in might work at lower levels, but at higher play? It's a trap. We’re breaking down a safer, smarter way to move up—without getting body slammed in the process. Because charging blindly isn’t bravery... it’s a one-way ticket to a body shot.

You’ll learn why slowing down actually speeds you up, how to know when it’s safe to move in, and why fifth and seventh ball drops might be your new best friends.


💡 Why It Matters: Because getting to the kitchen is good—but getting there in one piece is better.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Train for the Game You Actually Play

Pickleball might be fun, but it’s not exactly gentle on your joints. Between quick bursts, awkward twists, and daily doubles matches, your body needs more than casual stretches to keep up. The right cross-training can make a huge difference—think:

  • yoga to improve balance and mental focus

  • strength moves that boost power and protect your joints

  • mobility drills that help you move better, not just stretch farther


💡 Why It Matters: Because you don’t need to fall apart just to play well.

COMMUNITY

What Women’s Clinics Get Right

Kelly and her mixed doubles partner

Clinics are booming—and not just for pros or tournament chasers. For everyday players, especially women, these sessions offer something rec play often doesn’t: focused drills, real-time coaching, and a supportive, confidence-building environment. Women’s clinics create space to learn, connect, and grow your game—without the pressure to prove anything.


💡 Why It Matters: Because there’s more to improving your game than just reps—it’s also about feeling seen.

  • Malaysia Becomes Asia’s Fastest-Growing Pickleball Nation 🌏 The RM100,000 Kingtek International Tournament kicks off this August in Shah Alam, with top Southeast Asian players and serious prize money on the line.

  • Drew Brees Pickleball Fundraiser Delivers 50,000 Meals 🏈 The Del Mar Wine + Food Festival’s celeb-filled tournament raised enough to feed thousands—and this year’s goal is even bigger.

  • Brioti Eyewear Wants You to Stop Flinching 🕶️ This pickleball-specific brand is taking eye protection seriously—with anti-fog tech, sleek frames, and lenses that actually work.

  • Google Labels Pickleball Champs as “Internet Personalities” 🔍 Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns aren’t listed as pro athletes—just influencers. The internet is not thrilled.

Game-Changing Bag Alert

We didn’t think we’d get this excited about a pickleball bag, but here we are. The oktō backpack is the real deal—designed by a mechanical engineer who actually plays, with 16 magnetic side pockets, two fence hooks (so it hangs level), a built-in cooler, and even a fold-out desk. Yes, seriously.

It’s $225, but worth every penny if your current bag is falling apart or driving you nuts.
Use code EMPOWER for 20% off → Grab yours here

This Week on Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil

What happens when your favorite game starts causing real-life drama? On this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, they unpack the rising tension in rec groups—think friendship breakups, marital issues, and players getting iced out for "getting too good." They dig into why it’s happening, who’s most affected, and how to keep your love for the game from wrecking your relationships.

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

It’s 90 Degrees. We’re Not Bending Down.

If you’ve ever questioned your life choices mid-drill while hunched over picking up yet another ball in 90-degree heat… same. The GAMMA Pickleball Tube is here to save your back (and your patience). It scoops up to 12 balls in seconds, hangs neatly on the fence when not in use, and has a strap so you can carry it like the functional queen you are. Less bending, more breathing. Thank us later.