“How many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free?” – Dylan
55:08 | 10K | New PR
12 minutes faster than December.
I didn’t just run. I broke loose. From the weight I used to carry. From the me that thought this wasn’t possible.
With every step, I remembered: I’m allowed to fly. The cage was never locked.
Freedom in motion. Not just a mantra— a reckoning.
I’m not finding myself. I’m freeing myself.
I’m free to move without asking for permission. I’m free to chase what lights me up instead of what weighs me down. I’m free to live within my own cadence, not someone else’s expectation. I’m free to take up space. Fully. Unapologetically. I’m free to run toward myself, not away from doubt. I’m free to speak my truth. Stand in my fire. Never shrinking back. I’m free to become more me with every step forward. I’m free to define my own finish line and to crush it on my own terms.
“How many roads must a man walk down?” “How many years must a mountain exist?” “How many deaths will it take till he knows?” The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.
Existence can be fleeting. But it doesn’t have to be.
Nothing changes if nothing changes. Change is the key to unlock destiny.
A fork in the road. Rain on the mountain. Sudden and unexpected loss.
Some bring bliss. Some bring heartache. All bring change.
And it’s up to the traveler to decide the road. It’s up to the climber to choose the path. It’s up to the survivor to keep moving forward.
It’s up to the soul to rise on the zephyr, embracing what was always within reach.
Pickleball has a way of testing you—not just your skills, but your mindset. It rewards patience, resilience, and the ability to adapt under pressure. In February, I put that to the test in a four-week 3.5 Men’s Doubles Ladder League, and let me tell you, it was a ride.
Rising & Sliding Down The Ladder
When I signed up for this league, I knew it was going to push me. I came out strong in the opening week winning almost 90% of possible points. But I slid down the ladder in week 2 only winning two out of four games. Week 3 was even worse, not capitalizing on the points I needed to set myself up for a push for the podium. Heading into the final week, I found myself sitting three places from last. Not exactly where you want to be when medals are on the line.
But that’s the thing about competition—it’s not over until it’s over.
Flipping the Switch
Going into the final week, I knew I had to play differently. Not just better, but smarter. More intentional. This wasn’t about coasting or hoping for a lucky break. If I wanted a shot at medaling, I had to lock in. 🔐
Trust the work. Trust the instincts.
I focused on my footwork, my shot selection, and most importantly, my mental game. Instead of playing not to lose, I played to win. No hesitation. No second-guessing.
And when it mattered most? I swept the field.
Every game. Every rally. Every point. I played with a level of confidence and intensity I hadn’t fully tapped into before. By the end of the day, I went from sitting near the bottom of the rankings to standing on the podium with a silver medal around my neck.
Doug, Gold medalist (on left) alongside Brent, Silver medalist (on right); Not pictured: Steve, Bronze medalist.
The Takeaway: Trust & Adjust
This wasn’t just about winning matches. It was about proving something to myself—that when the pressure is high and the odds are against me, I have another gear. I can adjust. I can fight.
Sure, I’ve had good games before. But this was different. This was a breakthrough.
Shoutouts & What’s Next
Silver medal and the Gearbox Pro Ultimate Elongated pickleball paddle
The fire is lit, and I’m already thinking about the next challenge. More tournaments. More leagues. More chances to level up. I’ve already booked a Spring outdoor ladder league coming up at the end of April.
In pickleball—just like in life—you grind, you come back, and you medal. 🥈
No one ever told me that doing hard things could coexist with so much joy.
A couple of weeks ago I ran my first half marathon in Myrtle Beach. With it being my first ever half, I came into race weekend expecting it to fully suck. And honestly, I was ready to embrace it. I was prepared to ride the wave and push through the pain, knowing it was part of the process.
But then something surprising happened. Just past the halfway point, as I was steadily pacing with the 2:30 group, I felt good. Not just “hanging in there” good, but genuinely strong, present, and capable. And in that moment, it hit me—the wave had already been ridden. The past 30 days of 100 miles, plus the 60+ miles in January, that was the real work. That was the true test. The day-in, day-out, feet-on-the-ground consistency, even when I didn’t feel like it, was so much harder than my 2:19 finish in MB.
That realization changed everything for me.
The Journey to Race Day
Training for a half marathon is not just about running 13.1 miles on race day. It’s about every single run leading up to it. It’s about lacing up your shoes when your legs are tired. It’s about getting out there in the cold, the rain, or when motivation is at its lowest. The true test wasn’t the race—it was every single run before it. The half marathon itself? That was the victory lap.
And let me be clear—it wasn’t a walk in the park. Running for over two hours straight is hard. Mile 12 tested me. My mind was filled with questions and doubt, my legs burned, and I wondered if I had enough left in the tank. But then I reminded myself: I had done enough. I had put in the work. I had already won before I even stepped onto that course.
The Finish Line
As I neared the end, I knew I would easily beat my goal. That gave me the push to ramp it up even more. The crowd’s cheers carried me forward, and when I crossed that finish line, it was like a floodgate opened. I broke down in tears. Not out of exhaustion, but from an overwhelming rush of joy.
I had done it.
Not only had I accomplished my longest distance yet, but I had also kept a promise to myself from 60 days ago. And I had done it in a way that filled me with joy. The medal around my neck was a great symbol of achievement, but the real reward? The person I became in the process.
Reflection: It’s All About the Grind
The Myrtle Beach Half Marathon gave me more than just a medal—it gave me perspective. It reminded me that the real victory isn’t in the race itself but in the months of preparation leading up to it. The real win is in the discipline, the grit, and the consistency.
To everyone out there pushing themselves toward a goal—whether it’s running, fitness, or any personal challenge—know this: the reward isn’t just at the finish line. It’s in every step along the way.
Thank you, MB Half. You were too good to me. I do not deserve you. But I’m sure glad I have you.
Special thanks to my wife, Kellie, for the best support I could ever ask for. I wouldn’t be here without you. 🫶
In Atlas of the Heart, Brené Brown takes us on a transformative journey into the complex world of human emotions and experiences. This book serves as both a guide and a map, offering readers a fresh perspective on how to navigate life’s most pivotal emotional landscapes.
What Atlas of the Heart Is About
The book categorizes and explores 87 emotions and experiences, providing research-based insights to help readers understand what we feel, why we feel it, and how to communicate these emotions with clarity and empathy. Brown, known for her groundbreaking work on vulnerability, courage, and shame, delivers this resource with her signature mix of storytelling, research, and humor.
Through vivid metaphors, real-life examples, and reflective questions, Brown empowers us to recognize emotions that often go unnamed. She emphasizes that our ability to articulate feelings isn’t just a soft skill but a critical component of connection, both with ourselves and others.
Themes That Stood Out to Me
1. Naming Emotions Is a Form of Power
One of Brown’s most profound insights is that expanding our emotional vocabulary enables greater emotional resilience. In her research, she discovered that most people can only name three emotions: happy, sad, and angry. Atlas of the Heart invites us to explore the complexity beyond these basics. Words like anguish, awe, and nostalgia take on new significance, as Brown provides not only definitions but the contexts in which these feelings arise.
For me, this reframing felt like a revelation. Learning to name my emotions more precisely has already influenced how I approach difficult conversations, both personally and professionally. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I find myself better equipped to express what I’m truly experiencing.
2. Connection Requires Emotional Literacy
Brown’s work reinforces that connection is rooted in understanding ourselves and communicating that understanding to others. Atlas of the Heart bridges the gap between feeling and expressing. It also challenges the idea that being vulnerable is a weakness. Rather, vulnerability is what makes courage possible. The book offers practical language to express vulnerability in ways that foster trust, respect, and connection.
How Atlas of the Heart Relates to Pickleball and Athletic Performance
As I read, I couldn’t help but think of the parallels between emotional intelligence and athletic performance, especially in pickleball. In a sport where split-second decisions and mental toughness are key, understanding and regulating emotions is vital. Whether it’s managing the frustration of a tough loss or the anxiety of a high-stakes tournament, emotional literacy can change the game—literally and figuratively.
Mastering the game is as much about mindset as mechanics, and the lessons from Atlas of the Heart remind me that effective play requires empathy and clarity. Naming and working through emotions can unlock breakthroughs in performance, confidence, and joy on the court.
Takeaways and Recommendations
Atlas of the Heart is an essential read for anyone seeking deeper self-awareness and more meaningful relationships. Brown’s research-backed insights are practical and profound, making this book an invaluable resource for coaches, leaders, and anyone committed to personal growth.
If you’re looking to explore emotional complexity in a digestible, actionable way, Atlas of the Heart belongs on your shelf. The insights you’ll gain about yourself and others are as transformative as they are affirming.
When I first picked up a pickleball paddle in 2021, all I knew about it came from friends and the internet. Back in 2021, the sport didn’t have the country in the chokehold it does today. Despite its historically low profile, all of the stereotypes rang true in my mind: Isn’t that a silly game for retired geriatrics? It’s not an athletic sport! And it certainly wouldn’t be any fun… right? Right?
The Rising Popularity of Pickleball and The Evolution of the Game
Boy, was I wrong. And I certainly didn’t expect it to hook me the way it did. The sport has changed dramatically since its rise in popularity just in a few short years. Today the sport is played by a greater variety of demographics; it’s faster, more competitive, and more exciting than ever.
This is partly due to improved paddle and ball technology, but it’s also an inevitable adaptation of athletic playing style and the human pursuit of peak performance: Faster + Stronger = Better!
Mental Resilience Reigns Supreme
But accomplishment on the court is not dominated by speed and power. It’s much more dimensional than that. At its core, pickleball is a game of nuance and variety. The heart of any racquet sport is precision, strategy, and adaptability. The soft game, the ability to read your opponent’s positioning, and the mastery of placement over raw strength all come together to create a dynamic and layered experience. It’s not just about who can hit the hardest or fastest; it’s about making smart decisions, controlling the pace, and adjusting to the ever-changing rhythm of the match. Most of all, mental resilience—the ability to reset after a mistake.
Mistakes are unavoidable in every sport. The key isn’t in eliminating them, but in the ability to reset quickly after they happen.
My early days were full of mishits, smashes into the net, and the frustrating habit of trying to speed up every ball. I didn’t understand the idea of point construction. I forced every shot, attempting to win the point with every ball I hit. I certainly didn’t have an inkling about partner strategy or communication.
I was impatient.
But I was determined.
The path from 3.0 to 3.5 wasn’t a straight line. It was a mix of humbling experiences, small victories, and a helluva lot of repetition. Today, I want to share what got me here — and how I’m working to take my game even further.
The Early Struggles: Consistency and Control
In the beginning, consistency was my biggest challenge. I would string together a few good shots only to lose momentum with unforced errors. The mistakes would pile up quickly, and before I knew it, my partner and I would be down by multiple points and counting. I lost count of the shutouts. It didn’t matter how good my partner was. I would always find a way to screw up the point and lose the match for both of us.
It was devastating.
If I wanted to keep playing this game, I needed to get better. So I focused on mastering the soft game — dinks and drop shots — which forced me to slow things down. Drilling these skills was tedious at first, but it gave me more control over rallies. Developing touch and feel transformed how I approached each shot, and it’s what moved me solidly into the 3.5 category.
Lessons That Made the Biggest Difference
Here’s what I believe had the greatest impact on my skill level:
1. Learning Patience & Positioning at the Kitchen Line
Patience in the point doesn’t come naturally. I tried to win from anywhere BUT the kitchen line. Once I committed to winning “at the line“, and softening my play, my consistency improved. I began to see the value of waiting for the right opportunity rather than forcing the point.
2. Footwork, Footwork, Footwork
Good footwork is underrated. I started focusing on my positioning, making sure I was balanced before hitting shots. Moving into the correct spot instead of reaching was a game-changer for both my power and accuracy.
3. Better Court Awareness
Pickleball isn’t just about hitting the ball; it’s about strategy. I worked on recognizing patterns, anticipating my opponents’ moves, and playing smarter rather than harder. It’s amazing how much difference a simple adjustment in placement can make.
4. Embracing Drill Work
I won’t lie — like most players, I enjoy games more than drills. But drilling serves, returns, drops, and dinks gave me the muscle memory I needed to get out of my head and play more confidently. I learned that practice without pressure is essential if you want to improve.
What I’m Working on Now
While I feel confident in my skill level as a 3.5+ player, I’m far from satisfied. Here’s where my focus is as I improve to 4.0+:
• Speed and Reaction Time
At 4.0, points move faster, and players hit harder. I’m working on reacting quicker at the net, especially in fast-paced hand battles. Speed-up and reset drills are a consistent part of my routine now.
• Doubles Strategy
If you’ve ever been matched with an unequally skilled partner (who hasn’t?), you understand partnership strategy can win or lose the match. Communication with a partner is key to winning at this level. I’m studying positioning, court coverage, and shot selection to play smarter doubles.
• Mental Toughness
Pickleball is a mental game as much as a physical one. Staying calm under pressure and staying positive after mistakes are skills I’m actively developing. It’s a work in progress, but it makes a big difference. This is where I see the greatest area for improvement.
The Journey Ahead
Pickleball has been an incredible teacher. It’s shown me how to be patient, how to adapt to things out of my control, think strategically, and keep pushing my limits. As I work toward 4.0, I’m reminded that improvement comes from consistent effort, a willingness to learn, and, of course, a love of the game.
If you are an introvert like me and don’t go to the courts with a consistent group of friends, then finding players can be difficult. Check out social media, specifically groups on Facebook. Most local communities use a combination of social media and mobile apps for coordinating play and communication. In my region of the Upstate of South Carolina, we use a Facebook group (currently 9k members and growing) and most parks are on the TeamReach app.
Wherever you are in your pickleball journey, I hope my story reminds you that progress is possible with the right mindset. Be adaptable, stay coachable, and never stop drilling.
55:08 | 10K | New PR
