Dotti Berry Is Turning Pickleball Into a Movement for Women
When people say pickleball changes lives, Dotti “Coach B” Berry is living proof. Not just because she plays the game—but because she’s using it as a catalyst for something far bigger: transformation, connection, and JOY.
A former women’s basketball coach at the University of Kentucky, Dotti now leads immersive retreats and global give-back experiences under her signature framework: PLAY. SHIFT. RISE!™ These retreats combine physical play with inner work—blending strategy, self-command, and soul.
Whether it’s her high-energy Pickleball Escapades: By Women. For Women.™ retreats or her restorative JOY. Unplugged? experiences, every gathering is rooted in her Mental Edge: The X Factor™ coaching and her deep belief that lasting change starts from the inside out.
Dotti’s wife, Robynne Sapp, joins her for the JOY. Unplugged? retreats, where they combine playful movement—including pickleball—with Dotti’s Positive Intelligence coaching to support women who feel alcohol has become more of a numbing habit than a nourishing reward. These retreats invite participants to rediscover their joy, clarity, and sense of self… one MindShift at a time.
The Rosie the Riveter Pickleball Paddle
Community is the heartbeat of Coach B’s work. She founded the Pickleball Forum for Women, now home to thousands of passionate players around the world. More than just a Facebook group, members call it “a tribe with a vibe”—a space where women lift each other up, laugh, share tips, and embrace the mental side of the game.
Her signature phrase? “Turn MindSh*t into a MindShift.” If that makes you laugh and nod, you’re already in the right headspace.
Coach B also co-authored the heartfelt book EmPOWER: Pickleball Stories That Inspire, a collection that celebrates real women who found strength, community, and growth through the game. And yes, she even has her own paddle: a bold “We Can Do It!” Rosie design that’s become a symbol of confidence, resilience, and the power of women showing up for themselves—and each other.
Her mission goes global through Pickleball Unites, an initiative using pickleball to transcend cultural and economic differences. After coaching in South Africa in late 2024 and early 2025, Dotti will return in December 2026 for a powerful give-back trip. The journey includes community play, Coach and Referee Certification, and a tournament in Memel, home of South Africa’s first dedicated pickleball court. From there, the group heads to Kruger National Park on safari, and ends with an extension trip to Malawi, where Dotti is mentoring young entrepreneurs in building Malawi StoryLab™—a social media storytelling and marketing agency focused on creating impact and income. They’re also spearheading the Malawi Pickleball Association, developing youth programs and expanding opportunities through the game.
Her newest endeavor, the MindShift Equation™ Pickleball Partner Match Analysis, is a breakthrough system that compares players’ mental performance and energetic chemistry. Because, as she puts it: “The real mental edge comes from within… and the X Factor is YOU!”
Through it all, Dotti is showing women that pickleball can be a tool for something much bigger: community, confidence, and connection.
If you want to check it out or get involved, here’s where to start: Pickleball Forum for Women
Because as Dotti would say, “Master Your Mind, Master Your Game.™”
