Finding Balance: Life at The Fort

Back at Home Base

Since the Chicago APP, it’s been great to be back at our base in Fort Lauderdale — The Fort — with Frank the Tank, our RV. Having a home base gives our family a sense of stability and routine that we don’t often get on the road. After almost three years of traveling and rarely staying in one place for longer than two weeks, it feels refreshing to have a rhythm again.

The kids are thriving with their daily training at the APP Academy. Sometimes they’re even logging more hours than I am, which makes me proud. Watching them grow, chase their own dreams, and share in this passion for pickleball fills me with joy. It also allows me to train, run errands, and keep life moving without feeling guilty — because I know they’re exactly where they want to be.

Training, Coaching, and Community

Alongside my own training, I’ve been busy giving lessons and running clinics. Coaching remains one of my favorite parts of this journey — not just because I love teaching the game, but because of the connections and stories that come from sharing the court with others.

Tomorrow I’ll head to Sarasota. It’ll be a full day, but those are the moments that remind me why I love being part of this community.

One of my favorite events at The Fort is my ladies’ clinic series, affectionately named “Fudge & Fuzzies” — where pickleball meets champagne and connection. These women bring so much passion and life to the court, and I treasure the laughter, stories, and celebration we share together.

The Multitasking Reality

A typical day here isn’t just training. It’s laundry, meal prep, weight sessions, stretching, content creation, social media management — and yes, blogging. It’s a full-time job to keep everything moving, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

When I talk to young players aspiring to become professionals, I try to emphasize this side of the life. It’s not just drilling, playing matches, and lifting weights. It’s also the brand-building, the conversations with partners, the strategy talks with coaches, and the behind-the-scenes work that no one sees.

Beyond the Court

To make a lasting career in pickleball, you have to be more than your last match or medal. For me, it often feels like running a startup: testing, failing, learning, and adapting. Creating reels, editing videos, debating font choices with designers — things I never imagined myself doing — now matter because they reflect who I am and the brand I stand for.

Through it all, I’ve stayed committed to authenticity. Who you see on my social media is who I am. I don’t put on a mask. I want to share not only the victories, but also the fatigue, the imbalance, the constant juggling act, and the realities of doors closing and opening in this evolving sport.

Gratitude for the Journey

Some days I wake up full of clarity about the future, and other days I feel completely unsure. That’s life on this path. What grounds me is my family by my side, the support of the pickleball community, and the countless messages from people who share how my journey has touched them — just as their stories inspire me in return.

This life isn’t easy. It takes time, effort, and constant adjustment. But when I look back, I see the rewards: I’ve stayed true to myself, I’ve supported my family, and I’ve embraced this journey of pickleball around the world.

Thanks for reading — and for being part of this adventure with me.