In Part Two of Esther Daniels’ conversation with Bill Pavlec, inventor of the VersaFit 360 Board, they turn their attention to one of the most important topics for pickleball players over 50: staying healthy and reducing the risk of injury.

Bill breaks down some of the physical risks associated with pickleball, including overuse, repetitive stress, strains, falls, and the injuries that can ultimately take players off the court. A major focus is tripping and falling, which Bill describes as accounting for roughly half of pickleball injuries. Pasted text

Esther also shares the story of “Tommy Never Say No to a Pickleball Game”—a player who loved the game so much that he continued playing through pain, eventually facing shoulder surgery and a knee injury. It opens an important conversation about listening to your body and recognizing that playing through pain at 50+ can have very different consequences than it did at 22. Pasted text

In this episode:

• Why injury prevention should be part of your pickleball strategy
• The risks of overplaying and repetitive movement
• Why falls can be particularly significant for pickleball players
• Listening to pain instead of simply playing through it
• How an injury can affect your game—and your everyday life
• Returning to play without pushing yourself into another injury
• Training your body for the demands of pickleball
• Building habits that support longevity on and off the court

Bill emphasizes that no player—even a professional—is immune to injury. The goal is to intentionally train and play in ways that support longevity, enjoyment and continued access to everything we love about pickleball. Pasted text

The SmartStart 50 Challenge

Esther closes Part Two with three questions for listeners:

1. Are you designing your habits with purpose?
Take an honest look at how often and how intensely you play. Are those habits helping you reach your goal of playing better and longer—or could you be unintentionally overplaying?

2. What unproductive routine could be holding you back?
This isn’t about perfecting another shot. It’s about your body: keeping it strong, healthy and capable of competing with confidence.

3. What can you do to make positive change stick?
Find strategies you can realistically incorporate into your routine and sustain over the long term.

Connect & Subscribe

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share this with a fellow player over 50 who wants to keep playing smarter and competing longer!

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