Why Pickleball Feels So Good Right Now

A lighter Thursday edition with new research, global growth, and a look at what women are building next.

Author

Empower Pickleball
December 04, 2025

We missed you. Hopefully all the Black Friday → Small Business Saturday → Cyber Week marathon treated you well and didn’t completely hijack your sanity. We also picked up a ton of new faces after attending the Massachusetts Conference for Women—welcome, truly. It was wild how many women told us they’ve been wanting to play but didn’t know where to start. That’s the exact reason Empower Pickleball exists.

This edition is a little shorter than usual while we catch our breath from the event, but the good stuff’s still here. No Tips & Tricks this time, but if you’re itching to work on your game, you can binge every past drill and breakdown right here. Cheers to all of us women for keeping things moving during the holiday chaos.

QUICK RECAP

Where Women Gathered, Pickleball Showed Up

Yesterday, Empower Pickleball had an incredible opportunity to be a part of the Massachusetts Conference for Women. Over 11,000 women from all walks of life gathered for inspiration, community, growth, and connection. The day was filled with electric energy and powerful keynote speakers like Simone Biles and Martha Stewart—the perfect backdrop for sharing our mission and spreading the joy of the sport we love.

Partnering with Franklin Pickleball, Ice Shaker, and Holey Hydration, we were able to connect with incredible women—some lifelong pickleball fans, others brand-new and curious about the sport that’s sweeping the nation. We met attendees whose stories inspired us, fueled our passion, and reminded us why pickleball is so much more than a game. 

From uplifting conversations to standout vendors who share our commitment to empowering their communities, the entire day was a reminder that when women lift each other up, we all win. We’re grateful for every woman who stopped by, shared their story, or let us introduce them to the sport. The momentum is growing, and we can’t wait to keep building this community—together.


💡 Why It Matters: Because this is what “community-first” looks like in real life.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Why Pickleball Makes You Feel So Good

The holidays overload your nervous system, and pickleball cuts through that faster than anything else. You show up frazzled, play a few points, and somehow your body flips into a calmer gear. That is a chemical shift.

Pickleball hits dopamine, progress, novelty, and connection all at once, and that combo is why you leave the court feeling clearer than when you arrived. If you’ve ever wondered why this sport feels like a reset button, this breakdown explains exactly what your brain is doing.


💡 Why It Matters: Because the “pickleball high” is real—and stronger than you think.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Why Asia’s Pickleball Boom Matters for Women in U.S.

Pickleball is exploding across Asia, and the way the sport is growing there looks a lot like how women built the game here—through community, connection, and showing up exactly as you are. The rise is happening in Manila, Bangkok, and Mumbai isn’t just exciting… it’s a preview of what’s coming next for women in America.

From travel opportunities to new stories, new leaders, and a much bigger global community, Asia’s momentum is opening doors most players don’t realize exist yet. If you want a glimpse of the future, this is the article to check out.


💡 Why It Matters: Because global growth means more opportunities, more visibility, and more ways for women to shape the sport.

  • Twin Takeover in West Virginia 👯 Thirteen-year-old sisters Ziva and Zoey Lawson jumped into the women’s 3.5 division at the West Virginia State Championships and won the whole thing, sweeping eight matches after no juniors signed up. They’ve been playing just a year and already want the Junior Tour.

  • Houston’s New Pickleball Social Spot 📍 Eighteen-year-old Johnny Dang Jr. just launched Diamond Boyz Pickleball Social Club, a new Houston hangout mixing pickleball, indoor golf, entertainment, and community. The grand opening pulled in crowds and marks his first step into the family’s entrepreneurial legacy.

  • Pickleball’s First Reality Competition Show 📺 Pickleball Kingdom is launching Paddle Battle, the first-ever pickleball competition reality series, premiering January 2026. Sixteen players compete for pro contracts and even franchise ownership, with viewers voting on two of the winners.

For Players Who Never Say No to One More Game

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This Week on Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil

Gina and Neil went live in Menomonee Falls to talk facility culture, why these places are blowing up, and what keeps people coming back. They pulled players and instructors into the mix, swapped stories with surprise guests, and ended on why pickleball trips are becoming everyone’s new obsession.

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

Why These Waffles Keep Showing Up at Tournaments

My first real run-in with Honey Stinger waffles was watching a pro crush these things between matches like they were oxygen. He ate them all weekend, and it was the first time I saw someone in pickleball actually fuel instead of just survive on bananas and vibes.

They’re light, easy to digest, and hit fast without that gross energy-gel feeling. If you’ve got a long day on court, these little honey-filled stroopwafels give you steady energy without the crash. I keep a few in my bag now because they never miss.