Behind the Paddle #13 - Navigating Life (and Pickleball) with Chronic Illness

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Behind the Paddle pickleball podcast! In this episode, Rob Nunnery welcomes Jordan Wick and Michele Spahr, hosts of the "Mom, You're Embarrassing Me" podcast. Rob shares his experiences of being a pro pickleball player after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease and Michele shares her experiences after an MS diagnosis. They both share how important community support is to maintaining your mental health during a difficult situation. Rob also shares the challenges of competing at a high level while managing health issues — and the significance of advocacy for those facing similar struggles. He is looking to the future and is excited about upcoming partnerships and tournaments in the APP tour. Rob, Jordan, and Michele discuss the challenges of handling criticism when you are playing at a high level, the transition from tennis to pickleball, and the strategic shifts in gameplay, particularly the trend of players stepping back from the kitchen line.