​Leaving behind the stability of a 9-5 job can be daunting, but for Breanna Meertins, it was a step toward living her passion. After years of working as a veterinary assistant, at the age of 29, Breanna made the bold decision to switch careers and build a sustainable coaching business in Queens using TeachMe.To.

Today, Breanna enjoys the freedom and joy of sharing her love for pickleball with students while achieving a great balance between work and personal life...

Meet Breanna Meertins

Breanna’s passion for sports started early, playing tennis at the age of three. Over the years, her natural athletic ability expanded into pickleball, where she not only became an accomplished player but also secured multiple tournament victories.

Before becoming a full-time coach, Breanna worked as a veterinary assistant and technician, balancing grueling 12-hour overnight shifts at an animal hospital in Manhattan. “I’ve been in the animal field since 2016,” Breanna explains, “I even spent time working at an agriculture hospital in Queens.” Although she loved working with animals, the long shifts were exhausting, and she began to dream about a different path.

How Pickleball Changed Everything

Breanna discovered pickleball almost by accident, but it quickly became a new obsession. With her background in tennis, she was hooked by how the sport combined the fast pace of ping-pong with the familiar strokes of tennis. “I was blown away,” she recalls. “I played every day because I couldn’t get enough of it.” What started as playing for fun soon led to informal lessons with friends, which sparked her interest in teaching. “I wanted to make a little extra money, but I also always had this vision of being my own boss.” With that in mind, she started coaching more intentionally. What began as just a handful of lessons a week gradually grew into 8 lessons a day and over 30 clients a week.

TeachMe.To played a key role in Breanna’s transition from side hustle to full-time coach as 80% of her coaching business is with students using TeachMe.To. The platform gave her the ability to turn her turn her passion into a business, making it easier to attract clients and manage her schedule. “TeachMe.To made it easy to grow,” she says. “I love how they showcase my energy and highlight how many lessons I’ve taught. It gives me credibility and allows potential clients to see feedback from others who’ve worked with me.” For Breanna, TeachMe.To has also been empowering as a female coach in a field where there aren’t many women instructors. “It’s inspiring to see my business grow in this space,” she says.

How Breanna Became A Full-Time Coach

Breanna says that building a full-time income from coaching didn’t happen overnight. “It took me about five months to go all-in,” Breanna explains. “There were tough weeks with cancellations and no clients, but I stayed dedicated, kept a positive attitude, and made sure my lessons were fun, relatable, and engaging.” Her hard work paid off—Breanna now earns between $5,000 to $6,000 each month, with her highest month reaching $8,000, a big jump from the $3,500 she made in her previous job. She currently teaches around 30-44 lessons per week with a total of about 120 coaching sessions each month and charges $67 for a one-hour weekly coaching lesson.

Breanna's student base is as diverse as her lesson schedule. “I work with everyone,” Breanna says. “From 3-year-olds to 80-year-olds, and from total beginners to advanced players preparing for tournaments.” No matter the skill level, Breanna brings the same enthusiasm to every session, making sure each student leaves feeling more confident and motivated to improve.

What Does The Future Hold For Breanna?

Looking ahead, Breanna plans to keep expanding her coaching business with the help of TeachMe.To. She’s excited about the possibility of teaching even more students, hosting workshops, and continuing to inspire others through the sport she loves. “The future is bright,” she says. “I’m grateful every day that I get to do what I love.”

Breanna’s advice to anyone thinking about joining TeachMe.To as a coach is simple: “Go for it! Put yourself out there and tell your story. Show people what makes you unique as a coach and why they should learn from you.” She believes that the key to success lies in building genuine connections with students and embracing the joy of teaching. “It’s the most rewarding feeling to help someone grow and learn a new skill.”

Breanna Meertins’ story is proof that with passion, hard work, and TeachMe.To, you can turn your dream into a sustainable career. Her journey from veterinary technician to full-time coach shows what’s possible when you take a leap of faith. For anyone considering a similar path, TeachMe.To offers a way to get started. Whether you want to teach part-time or build a full-time career, Breanna’s experience is a reminder that pursuing what you love can lead to incredible rewards. Ready to follow in Breanna’s footsteps? Sign up to now to be a part-time coach on TeachMe.To, or schedule a call with the platform to learn how you can launch your own coaching business today.