It was early June when my daughter Mia decided she was finally going to try pickleball. After her very first visit to the courts, she called me—breathless, laughing, and slightly confused—to report that she had “accidentally entered a pickleball tournament with a bunch of strangers.” She also declared it the best day of her life.
As a parent, those words were music to my ears. My curiosity? Immediately peaked.
What I eventually learned was that this “tournament” Mia spoke of was simply what daily pickup pickleball looks like at Northeast Park in Western Springs—and in countless parks across the country. You show up, put your paddle in the rotation, and when it’s your turn…you play. That’s it. No sign-ups, no pressure, no expectations. Just community, movement, and a whole lot of fun.
Since Mia’s enthusiastic introduction to the sport, my entire family has caught the pickleball bug. Ryan and Will are only mildly obsessed. I, on the other hand, have a full-blown case of pickleball fever, and the temperature keeps rising.
It took just a couple of days after my own first game for me to begin seeking out my local pickleball community. I had heard whispers of courts and groups all over town, so I started digging. I downloaded the Picklehead app, followed nearby courts, and—poof—the rest is history.
Fast forward three months, and I am officially a daily pickler. I’m improving with every game, and I’ve found my people at Memorial Park. They contribute to my joy and my well-being in ways I didn’t anticipate. Seeing steady gains in my game certainly doesn’t hurt either.
These days, if I don’t start my morning with pickleball, I feel a little off. I’m more energized, I’m happier, and I always have something to look forward to. At some point, I started wondering: What is it about this game that feels so addicting? Why are so many of us drawn to it?
Naturally, I did a little research.
According to Health.com, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with more than 50 million adults playing every year—and the health benefits are incredible.
Let’s break some of them down.
Pickleball is low-impact, which means it’s accessible to people of all ages and abilities. If you’re middle-aged like me and thinking more about bone and joint health, flexibility, and overall well-being, pickleball is a must-try. One study—The Acute and Chronic Physiological Responses to Pickleball in Middle-Aged and Older Adults—found that people who played three times a week for an hour over six weeks saw improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.
I’m loving this research…but wait, there’s more.
Pickleball is also incredibly social. At a time when loneliness and isolation are becoming more prevalent, this kind of built-in community matters. Studies show that people who play pickleball report feeling more connected, more cognitively sharp, and overall, more joyful.
Grab your friends, grab your family, and get ready to marvel at your improved memory, mood, and focus.
What’s the score again?
My own experience fully supports the science. Pickleball has brought more togetherness to my family, and it has introduced me to new friendships and connections that enrich my life in meaningful ways. I feel purpose, excitement, and joy every single time I step onto the court. And truly—I want that for you.
This healthy little obsession of mine has made a profound impact on my well-being. I hope my enthusiasm inspires you to give pickleball a whirl if you haven’t already. You won’t have trouble finding a court or some friendly people to play with—but if you do, you know exactly where to find me.
I’ll be on the pickleball court.
As always, thank you so much for reading.
Stay cozy,
Michelle
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