My pickleball journey began after I played tennis from ages 27 to 30, discovering I had a knack for it. Three years ago, a high school friend and skilled tennis player introduced me to pickleball, and I've been addicted ever since, quickly becoming a strong player. Many players avoid hitting in my direction because I get to almost everything. I'm patient and encouraging with new players and have even offered pointers to a player I consider slightly better than me, which he humbly accepted and used to improve. Now, we're closely matched. I excel in singles and am often a top choice for doubles partners. I participated in the Show-Me State Games (SMSG) and won gold in my first year, marking my third gold medal in a third different sport across three decades, which I'm very proud of. I play multiple times a week and have a true passion for pickleball.