Upcoming Experiences in Support of Autism
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Pickleball Pidge offers three distinct ways to engage: professional pickleball coaching, curated on-court experiences, and signature pickleball events — all rooted in an uplifting community and good vibes!
Thank you for visiting my site. It’s a simple space — a place to share my coaching philosophy, my love for the game, and some positive, connected energy I hope to contribute to the sport we love. The real experience happens on the courts — and I can’t wait to meet you there. I truly enjoy helping beginner and advanced beginner players cultivate calm, confidence, and connection to the game.
I earned my coaching certification through the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) in 2023.
My athletic journey started with basketball at age eight and grew to include soccer, tennis, volleyball, and badminton. Each sport shaped how I approach the game today--from movement and court awareness to touch, timing, and teamwork—and continues to influence how I coach and play. I've also coached various youth sports throughout my life, and for three years right out of college I taught PE to grades 1-6 — an experience I truly loved.
I earned my coaching certification through the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) in 2023.
My athletic journey started with basketball at age eight and grew to include soccer, tennis, volleyball, and badminton. Each sport shaped how I approach the game today--from movement and court awareness to touch, timing, and teamwork—and continues to influence how I coach and play. I've also coached various youth sports throughout my life, and for three years right out of college I taught PE to grades 1-6 — an experience I truly loved.
My coaching philosophy:
If you feel:
Within the first few weeks of starting my pickleball journey, one thing stood out immediately—the game rewards calm. It felt familiar. It’s a principle my grandfather taught me as a child, and one I’ve carried with me through more than 27 years of practicing and teaching yoga. I often say to myself, OM My Pickleball™ — The vibration Om is a state of calm awareness--Om is about breath, presence, and calm—the foundation for clear thinking and confident play. It’s a mindset I’ve carried with me long before pickleball, and one that continues to shape how I approach the game today. Because in pickleball… that place of OM isn’t just nice to have—it’s your advantage.
And I couldn't agree more with my favorite pro pickleball player, Jillian Braverman (Jilly B), who always says, "pickleball is joy." I believe joy is the point of the game because within minutes of stepping on the court, people are laughing with strangers, moving their bodies, learning something new, and feeling included. That combination is powerful.
Joy doesn't mean not competitive. I love the balance between competition and playfulness. The game can be strategic and challenging, but it still leaves room for silliness, laughter, weird points, lucky shots, and celebration --- also what I've noticed especially when coaching is that pickleball gives people permission to be playful again.
Quick story about joy!
Growing up, my grandfather would always say, “Enjoy. Be joyful!” I can still hear his voice as my cousins and I would leave the house to go play outside for hours, "Enjoy! Be Joyful!" There was even a small sign, written in pen in his perfect handwriting, on a piece of binder paper taped above the front door stairwell that read, "Enjoy!"
I so wish I had the sign or even a photo of it.
He would tell us that choosing joy was what carried him through times of adversity, and that it was something he worked on every day. He shared a story about his childhood in the Philippines and how he woke up early each morning to tend to the carabaos. One day, as he watched the sun rise, he felt a deep sense of peace and positivity within him. In that quiet moment, he said to himself, “joy is everything.” I often think about my grandfather during that moment in his life, and it brings me clarity.
A WWII and Korean War veteran, he shared that he had been asked to eat outside on a wooden crate at a diner in the Delano area, while his fellow soldiers were allowed to dine inside. He said it didn’t matter to him—he just wanted to eat. He said he was hungry, and by making him eat out back, didn't take away his joy of eating a much-needed meal. That was him—unshaken, and choosing joy anyway. I love my grandfather for instilling in me this beautiful way to live life.
I know—it’s not as simple as just saying, “be joyful.” But one thing that truly helps is being surrounded by a supportive, uplifting community… and that’s exactly what I hope to offer.
Back to pickleball.... 😉
When I coach, I want people to Show Up.
What I mean by this is:
• Composure before contact
• Community and teamwork over ego
• Performance with presence!
And remember....
If you feel:
- Calm and Centered→ you play with clarity
- Composed → you execute under pressure
- Present → you trust your instincts
Within the first few weeks of starting my pickleball journey, one thing stood out immediately—the game rewards calm. It felt familiar. It’s a principle my grandfather taught me as a child, and one I’ve carried with me through more than 27 years of practicing and teaching yoga. I often say to myself, OM My Pickleball™ — The vibration Om is a state of calm awareness--Om is about breath, presence, and calm—the foundation for clear thinking and confident play. It’s a mindset I’ve carried with me long before pickleball, and one that continues to shape how I approach the game today. Because in pickleball… that place of OM isn’t just nice to have—it’s your advantage.
And I couldn't agree more with my favorite pro pickleball player, Jillian Braverman (Jilly B), who always says, "pickleball is joy." I believe joy is the point of the game because within minutes of stepping on the court, people are laughing with strangers, moving their bodies, learning something new, and feeling included. That combination is powerful.
Joy doesn't mean not competitive. I love the balance between competition and playfulness. The game can be strategic and challenging, but it still leaves room for silliness, laughter, weird points, lucky shots, and celebration --- also what I've noticed especially when coaching is that pickleball gives people permission to be playful again.
Quick story about joy!
Growing up, my grandfather would always say, “Enjoy. Be joyful!” I can still hear his voice as my cousins and I would leave the house to go play outside for hours, "Enjoy! Be Joyful!" There was even a small sign, written in pen in his perfect handwriting, on a piece of binder paper taped above the front door stairwell that read, "Enjoy!"
I so wish I had the sign or even a photo of it.
He would tell us that choosing joy was what carried him through times of adversity, and that it was something he worked on every day. He shared a story about his childhood in the Philippines and how he woke up early each morning to tend to the carabaos. One day, as he watched the sun rise, he felt a deep sense of peace and positivity within him. In that quiet moment, he said to himself, “joy is everything.” I often think about my grandfather during that moment in his life, and it brings me clarity.
A WWII and Korean War veteran, he shared that he had been asked to eat outside on a wooden crate at a diner in the Delano area, while his fellow soldiers were allowed to dine inside. He said it didn’t matter to him—he just wanted to eat. He said he was hungry, and by making him eat out back, didn't take away his joy of eating a much-needed meal. That was him—unshaken, and choosing joy anyway. I love my grandfather for instilling in me this beautiful way to live life.
I know—it’s not as simple as just saying, “be joyful.” But one thing that truly helps is being surrounded by a supportive, uplifting community… and that’s exactly what I hope to offer.
Back to pickleball.... 😉
When I coach, I want people to Show Up.
What I mean by this is:
• Composure before contact
• Community and teamwork over ego
• Performance with presence!
And remember....
- Good shots start with good footwork.
