What happens when a simple introduction to a “silly game with a plastic ball” transforms into a lifelong passion that builds community and transforms health? In this energetic conversation, host Bryan Bibbo sits down with Verna Griffin, a Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR) certified instructor, affectionately known as the “Pickleball Queen of Neptune Beach,” who has been teaching and promoting pickleball since 2009—long before most of us knew it existed.
Verna shares her remarkable journey from that first hour of play that got her “hooked” to building a local community that grew from four players to 45 people within just one month. Through candid stories about chalk-lining courts every Saturday morning, teaching players from age 5 to 92, and witnessing the sport explode in popularity nationwide, Verna reveals how pickleball offers something no other sport does: a perfect combination of physical fitness, mental engagement, and genuine social connection that welcomes “all walks of life.”
Key Topics:
- The Social Revolution: Discover why pickleball’s unique protocol of introducing yourself at the net creates lasting friendships and supportive communities unlike any other sport.
- Health Benefits at Any Age: Learn how this low-impact sport provides excellent cardiovascular exercise, muscle engagement, and mobility improvement for players from children to seniors in their 90s.
- From Tennis to Pickleball: Understand the key differences and why former tennis players need to “stop playing tennis on the pickleball court” to truly excel at this growing sport.
- Practical Playing Tips: Get professional advice on paddle grip techniques, the differences between indoor and outdoor balls, and strategic moves like “playing dodgeball” to improve your game.
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