I thought about this topic quite a bit. What part of my life does pickleball serve? Well, my life revolves around it in multiple areas and has for some time, but it started a long time ago. Just like the court and the match, everyone’s life is different. Pickleball might play a significant role to a pro, but what about the professional teacher? Are they using pickleball to come down from a day of wild first graders? My guess is yes!

Pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, but for me, it’s much more than a game. It’s a source of joy, balance, connection, and purpose. It’s the place I go to reset my mind, move my body, challenge myself, and share something meaningful with others. Pickleball has woven itself into every corner of my life—my friendships, my work, my health, my family, and my personal growth—and I am grateful every day for the unexpected ways it continues to shape me.

Neil and his dad Mark ‘Yoda’ Friedenberg

A big part of that gratitude comes from how deeply this sport is rooted in my family. My father, a first-year inductee into the Pickleball Hall of Fame, was instrumental in the sport’s early growth and helped shape its future when he created the USAPA (now known as USA Pickleball), the governing body of pickleball. His dedication set a foundation that millions of players now stand on, including me.

A Daily Dose of Stress Relief

Life can be loud. The demands, the deadlines, the worries—they build. But when a pickleball hits the sweet spot of a paddle, when I feel my feet settle into a rhythm, when I’m locked in a rally that quiets everything else in the world, that’s where stress melts away. Pickleball gives me an outlet to reset, breathe, and find a sense of calm.

It doesn’t matter if I’m drilling with a high-level player, helping a beginner connect with their first clean shot, or playing on the courts with my kids—who now bring their friends along too. Sharing the sport with them reminds me that presence is a gift, and this sport gives it to me daily.

Strengthening My Social World

If you want to see what community looks like, spend an afternoon at a pickleball court. This sport has introduced me to people I never would have met otherwise—people who make me laugh, challenge me, pick me up after a frustrating day, and who feel more like family than friends.

Through Pickleball Kingdom, where I coach players of all levels, I get to build relationships rooted not just in sport, but in trust.

And through Vibe Getaways, where I coach at pickleball destination retreats, I’ve experienced the magic of pickleball on vacation—where strangers arrive with their paddles and leave with memories, confidence, and friendships they never expected. Pickleball doesn’t just gather people; it bonds them.

Supporting Mental and Physical Health

Pickleball is often described as “easy to start, hard to master,” but somewhere in that balance lies its beauty. Physically, it keeps me moving—quick sprints, sharp reflexes, balance, coordination, and all the small muscles that don’t get attention elsewhere. I feel 25 years old on the court!

Mentally, it keeps me sharp. Every point is a puzzle, every opponent a new lesson, every game an opportunity to grow. The sport gives me a healthy way to push myself against all sizes and shapes of competition.

Neil with a large group of pickleball players

Coaching From First Swing to Championship Court

One of the greatest privileges of my life is coaching at Pickleball Kingdom. I have the honor of guiding players through every phase of their journey—from the brand-new beginner holding a paddle for the first time to the seasoned competitor refining small details that make a massive difference.

Coaching is where I get to merge passion with purpose. It’s where I watch people discover confidence they didn’t know they had. Where I witness breakthroughs—physical, mental, and emotional. Where I get to help others love the game as deeply as I do.

Sharing the Sport Through Our Podcast

Another unexpected gift of pickleball is my friendship and partnership with Top 10 Senior Pro Gina Cilento. Together, we co-host Keeping It Real with Gina and Neil—The Good, the Bad, and the Pickleball. What started as conversations between friends turned into a platform where we talk candidly about the sport we love: the fun, the drama, the heartfelt moments, and the stories the pickleball world needs to hear. Our podcast is another avenue where pickleball lets me connect, reflect, and laugh—a reminder that authenticity is powerful.

Building the Future of Equipment at Prolite Pickleball

As a co-owner of Prolite Pickleball, I’ve stepped into a role that lets me help shape the future of the sport. Working in product development, consulting, and designing new paddles is a dream I never saw coming.

Over the years, I’ve created over 50 different paddle models, many of which found their way into players’ hands all across the country. The chance to innovate—to create paddles that elevate a player’s experience—feels like giving back to a sport that has given me everything. Every paddle we design is built with intention, testing, and a deep understanding of what players of all ages and abilities truly need.

More Than a Game

When I look at all the ways pickleball has influenced my life—my health, my friendships, my family, my career, and my sense of purpose—I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. This sport has carried me through stressful times, connected me with incredible people, allowed me to teach and learn, created business opportunities, strengthened my relationship with my kids, and given me a platform to share stories and joy.

Pickleball isn’t just something I do.
It’s something that continually shapes who I am.

And if the sport has taught me anything, it’s this: every serve, every laugh, every moment shared on the court carries with it the potential to change someone’s life, just like it changed mine.

About the Author: Neil Friedenberg is a certified pickleball coach and Head of Education for Empower Pickleball. He is passionate about helping players of all levels grow their skills and confidence on the court. A lifelong player with deep roots in the sport, Neil also brings experience as a paddle company owner, blending technical expertise with a love for the game.

Pickleball: The Sport That Found Me and Shapes My Life