This Is Where Pickleball Is Growing

Less pressure, better habits, and a smarter way to approach the game.

Author

Empower Pickleball
January 08, 2026

So yes, it’s been a minute. The holidays pulled us offline for a bit—but pickleball never really left the conversation.

Between time with family, a lot of snow, and sneaking in a few games where we could, it was hard not to reflect on how much this sport has changed. Six years ago, dedicated indoor courts barely existed. Now they’re shaping how, where, and when we play.

We’re easing into the new year with intention. Less noise. Better information. Smarter habits—on and off the court. No reinvention required. Just a calmer approach and clearer thinking.

If you’re setting goals, great. If you’re refining instead, that counts too. Either way, this feels like the right kind of reset.

TIPS & TRICKS

The Most Overlooked Skill Isn’t Physical

Senior Pros Gina Cilento and Jennifer Dawson

If you get our Tuesday newsletter, you saw Neil argue that the most overlooked skill in pickleball is the brain. Smart shot selection. Emotional control. Playing the long game.

Senior Pro Gina Cilento agrees that mindset matters—but she’s calling out a different blind spot entirely. One that shows up most when games get tight, ratings feel personal, and winning starts to matter a little too much.

It’s not a shot. It’s not strategy. But, it might be the difference between being a good player—and someone people actually want to play with.


💡 Why It Matters: Because sportsmanship isn’t “extra.” It shapes how games feel, how partners perform, and how long people stick with the sport.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Why More Women Are Training Differently in 2026

January loves to tell us it’s time for a full reset. New goals. New habits. New pressure.

But more women are pushing back on that narrative—and it’s changing how they train, recover, and show up on the court. Instead of grinding harder, the focus is shifting toward intention, sustainability, and confidence that lasts beyond a few motivated weeks.

Women are getting more intentional with how they train—and it’s changing how they perform.


💡 Why It Matters: Because burnout isn’t a badge of honor—and smarter training leads to better, longer-lasting performance.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Where Pickleball Is Actually Growing Right Now

If you want to understand where pickleball is headed, stop watching the pro rumor mill and look at what’s happening on local courts.

In Atlanta, Pickleball Latino has turned open play into a full-on community experience—music on, paddles up, and turnout most facilities would kill for. No rankings. No pressure. Just people showing up because it finally feels like it’s for them.

This is pickleball con un ritmo Latino—and it’s working.


💡 Why It Matters: Because the sport doesn’t grow by getting louder at the top. It grows when more people feel comfortable stepping onto the court.

A Pickleball Shoe Built for Pickleball

Running shoes and tennis shoes weren’t made for this sport. The Winners Edge P-38 Lightning was—tested by pros, reviewed by a podiatrist, and already showing up on podiums.

Players who’ve made the switch mention the same things: better grip, noticeably more stability, and more cushioning that’s easier on knees and joints during long sessions.

If you’ve been playing in the wrong shoes, this is an easy upgrade.

Use code EMPOWER for 15% off at checkout.

This Week on Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil

Gina and Neil will be back next week with fresh episodes to kick off the year. But before they return, we’re resurfacing the most-watched episode of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil—and for a good reason.

This one digs into the uncomfortable reality of open play: gatekeeping, cliques, and the subtle ways new players can feel pushed out before they ever get a fair shot. Gina and Neil share real stories, real moments, and what open play should look like when it’s actually working.

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

The Tournament Booth Purchase I Still Don’t Regret

If you attended any pickleball tournament between 2019-2022, you may be entitled to financial compensa— Just kidding. But seriously, if you went to one, you probably walked past a HiDow booth at least five times… and eventually gave in.

That was me. The HiDow reps were always so nice, I was sore, and suddenly I owned a TENS unit.

Fast forward to now: I don’t see them at tournaments much anymore, but I still use mine regularly. It’s one of those things you forget about until something tweaks, flares up, or just feels off—and then it earns its keep real fast.

For pickleball players, TENS units are clutch for managing nagging pain, speeding up recovery, and staying loose without reaching for meds. I use mine on tight quads, cranky shoulders, and the occasional “why do my feet hate me?” moment.

You can still grab HiDow units online, and if you play a lot, it’s worth having one in your recovery rotation.