The past two weeks have been a whirlwind time spent training, reflecting, and ultimately competing at the Daytona APP. We set up camp in Fort Myers, staying at a nice RV resort with great amenities, plenty of training opportunities, and, most importantly, quality time with the kids. It was a beautiful stretch of Florida living, filled with sunshine, new connections, and a chance to prepare both for competition.
The Mental Battle of Singles
Going into the tournament, I felt like my training had been on point. My body was getting stronger, my strokes were dialed in but my mind? That was another story. People often overlook the mental side of sports, especially in pickleball, and even more so in singles. Singles is a battle one versus one, just you on an island, facing every moment alone. It’s physically grueling and mentally exhausting. For me, it’s never been easy. I don’t have a huge put-away shot or effortless power. My game is built on grit, determination, and handling every moment as it comes.
On Thursday, I struggled. My body didn't want to be there, and my mind wasn’t in the right space. From the first point, I felt off, like I was fighting against myself just as much as I was playing against my opponent. The negativity crept in, and I couldn’t shake it. It was one of those days where everything feels like an uphill battle. And yet, no excuses, Sophia played an incredible match, and she deserved that gold medal. But I walked off the court knowing that wasn’t me out there.
I needed to reset. I got in the car, found a HOTWORX gym, and let myself sweat it out. Alone time, a good workout, some time in the Bible, and words of encouragement from my village - it was exactly what I needed. Because while Thursday was tough, I had two more days of competition ahead, and I wasn’t going to let my partners down.
Turning It Around: Mixed and Doubles
Friday morning, I wasn’t sure how people would react after I had been so open about my struggles. As a competitor you have to realize that admitting to a weakness, can give your opponents an edge. But instead of feeling like I had to walk on eggshells, I felt relieved. Speaking about it, taking action, and not letting emotions define me, it gave me confidence. I wasn’t a victim of my feelings; I had done the work to move forward.
Mixed doubles with Jack was my first test. Jack shared that his grandfather was in hospice, and he was playing for him this weekend. That put things into perspective. It was no longer about me and whatever mental battle I had been facing it was about supporting my partner, locking in, and playing for something bigger. We prepared, studied film, and went into our gold medal match against Jill and Will knowing it was going to be a battle. They had beaten us two weeks ago, but this time, we made adjustments, played the chess game, and executed. It was a special win, not just for us but for Jack and his grandpa Jack.
Then came women’s doubles with Jill. We’ve been getting better every time we step on the court together, learning more about each other’s games, strengths, and what we need from each other. And it’s not just the two of us, Kristen, Jill’s wife, is an integral part of our team, always checking in, even making sure my caffeine levels were where they needed to be before the final!
By Sunday, we were locked in. We had studied, prepared, and walked into the gold medal match ready to execute. And we did. It wasn’t about talent or skills as much as it was about playing smart, anticipating our opponents, and making the right adjustments at the right time. Another gold, but more importantly, another moment of growth.
The True Measure of Success
Winning gold is great, but this weekend was about more than medals. It was about resilience. It was about recognizing when I needed to step away, reset, and refocus. It was about not letting one bad day spiral into something far worse. And it was about leaning on my village when I needed them most.
At the end of the day, success isn’t just about winning, it’s about how we handle the moments that test us. It’s about choosing to keep pushing forward, even when things feel impossible. And that’s exactly what this weekend was about.
Onward and upward!
The best part of watching you play is not your incredible skill or fantastic athleticism. It's your face. How it reflects the struggle, the pain, the joy during your battles. Most of all the resolve when you are losing a match and you dig deep to turn things around. And that right there, that ability to find in yourself the strength not just to keep going but to overcome, is what makes you different. Makes you better. Makes you a champion.