She almost became an Olympic skier. She became a PGA Professional. Today, she's one of the most respected voices in pickleball.

In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with CJ Johnson, co-founder of Better Pickleball, for one of the most thoughtful conversations we've had on the podcast.

This isn't just another discussion about dinks, drops, and drills.

It's a conversation about lifelong learning, coaching, leadership, sport, and the power of community.

We explore:

🏓 Why most recreational players are improving the wrong parts of their game.

👟 Why your shoes matter far more than your paddle.

🥽 Why every pickleball player should seriously consider eye protection.

🎯 The biggest mistakes players make trying to reach the next level.

💡 Why expensive paddles won't fix your game.

❤️ The incredible culture that makes pickleball unlike any other sport.

We also dive into one of the most important conversations happening in sports today.

CJ shares her experiences as a female athlete and coach, discussing the subtle biases many women still encounter in sport—and why greater awareness makes all of us better players, teammates, coaches, and people.

Connect with CJ at Better Pickleball:

https://betterpickleball.com/

Connect with CJ on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/betterpickleballcom/

Connect with CJ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbPCL77CefNGj90THzXYTnA

It's an honest, thoughtful discussion that inspired me to create an entire upcoming panel discussion on women in sport.

Whether you're new to pickleball or have been playing for years, I think you'll come away seeing the game—and perhaps yourself—a little differently.

If you enjoy conversations that go beyond the score and explore what really makes this sport special, this episode is for you.

👇 I'd love to hear from you in the comments:

What's the best lesson pickleball has taught you—on or off the court?

🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping pickleball.

👍 If you enjoyed this episode, please Like, Comment and Share—it really helps the channel grow.

#Pickleball #BetterPickleball #CJJohnson #KitchenConversations #PickleballTherapy #PickleballCommunity #PickleballTips #SportsPsychology #WomenInSports #Coaching #ActiveAging #LifelongLearning #PickleballLife #PickleballCanada #RecreationalSports

And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations.

If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do.

And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at

https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast

Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast

That’s where these stories really come to life.

You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description.

Until next time…

more than dinks, drops and drives…

these are stories from behind the paddle.