Let’s talk about the foundation of every great pickleball shot: footwork. Whether you’re dinking, dropping, or driving, your feet set the stage for consistent and controlled contact. Without proper footwork, you’re likely to find yourself jammed or overreaching, which can ruin your spacing and throw off your shot. The Key to Spacing and Control: Move Your Feet Here’s the deal: good pickleball players know that success starts with positioning. Proper footwork allows you to: Set
Your neck and upper back are killing you and you’re 3 inches shorter than you used to be because of your lousy posture! Here are 3 stretches that’ll get rid of that pain and have the NBA taking a second look! #1 – The Chest Opener Stretch #2 – Upper Back Stretch And #3 – An Upper Trap Stretch and here’s how you should do them and why #1 – Chest Opener Stretch: Stand tall
Ever seen athletes (or your super-fit friends) rocking those sleek, tight sleeves on their arms or legs and wondered, “What’s the deal?” Let’s break down the magic behind compression sleeves and see if they’re worth adding to your fitness toolkit! What Are They For? Compression sleeves are designed to improve blood flow, reduce muscle soreness, and speed up recovery. They apply gentle pressure to the muscles, which helps to stabilize them during activity and boost
Because Staying on Your Feet is More Fun Than Hitting the Ground Let’s face it, nobody wants to hobble off the pickleball court before they’ve had their fill of dinks and drives—especially our 50+ players who plan to keep smashing well into their golden years. That’s where squats come in. They’re one of the most effective ways to build bulletproof knees and protect yourself from unwelcome injuries. Why Squats Matter in My “Blueprint” In my
Let’s talk about the ultimate workout plan—one you probably mastered as a kid. It’s simple, fun, and 100% effective. Ready? It’s called: Go outside and play! From the Proactive Aging Blueprint: “Fitness doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Play is about celebrating what your body can do and having fun while staying active. Whether it’s hitting a ball, hiking a trail, or throwing a Frisbee, moving your body with joy keeps you consistent—and consistency is the
When you see a high ball on the court, your instinct might be to attack it as hard as possible without a second thought. But here’s the catch: mindlessly attacking without strategy can backfire—fast. At higher levels of play, aiming for the wrong target can leave you scrambling to defend, making your powerful attack more of a liability than an advantage. Why Smart Targeting Matters in Pickleball From the Proactive Aging Blueprint: “Pickleball isn’t just
STOP saying “I don’t have the energy to work out” and do these 3 things instead… #1. Get up early and catch the worm! – Get up early and stop sleeping in. It’s not making you any less tired… it’s sapping your energy. Get up and move… take a walk… do some stretching… ride your bike… It’ll fire you up and elevate your mood for the rest of the day #2 – Fuel your body’s
Aging isn’t a passive process—it’s something you take control of. If you’re here, you already know that Proactive Aging means taking deliberate action to stay strong, mobile, and independent. But let’s be honest—doing it alone isn’t always easy. That’s where hiring an online trainer changes the game. The Proactive Aging Blueprint is all about having a plan, tracking progress, and staying accountable. And that’s exactly what you get when you work with an online coach.
Let’s talk balance. It’s one of those things you don’t think about—until you’re suddenly grabbing for a railing or feeling that moment of panic mid-stumble. If you’ve ever laughed at those “Help, I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” commercials, listen up: Without good balance, that could be YOU. Here’s the reality—as you age, your balance naturally declines. Muscle loss, slower reflexes, and reduced coordination all play a role. But here’s the good news: Balance
If tennis elbow is keeping you from enjoying your time on the pickleball court, you’re not alone. This common overuse injury doesn’t just affect tennis players; it’s notorious among pickleball enthusiasts too. The good news? With a few simple adjustments and some proactive care, you can reduce pain, protect your arm, and get back to playing at your best. Grip It, Don’t Rip It: Adjusting Your Paddle Grip One of the biggest contributors to tennis
You’ve seen the ads: “Zero sugar! Guilt-free! No calories!” Sounds like a dream, right? You get the sweet, fizzy kick without blowing your diet. But let’s not kid ourselves — just because it says “zero” doesn’t mean it’s a health food. What’s Really in That Can? Diet and zero sugar sodas replace sugar with artificial sweeteners like aspartame, sucralose, or acesulfame potassium. These don’t contain calories, but they still send a powerful sweet signal to
Sometimes, in order to transform yourself into a true badass, you’ve got to break some bad habits and form some new ones. EASIER SAID THAN DONE!! Struggling to make exercise stick? You’re not alone. Most people know they should be working out but find it tough to keep the habit going. That’s where Atomic Habits by James Clear comes in. I loved how this book breaks down how to create small, sustainable changes that eventually turn into
I want to share a little insight into the often underestimated art of breathing during exercise. Here’s the deal: When it comes to working out, some folks might think it’s cool not to breathe hard. Well, let me tell you, that heavy breathing is a sign your muscles are ready to roll. Your muscles crave oxygen to function efficiently. In my boot camps, I often say, “When you start breathing heavy, your muscles are saying,
Mother Nature has the best restaurant in town, so let’s talk about the #1 criteria for what you should eat! Can you go outside and… hunt it, shoot it, trap it, catch it, grow it, gather it, pick it, harvest it? Great! Because if you can it’s probably a healthy choice from Mother Nature’s menu! And I can guarantee you’ve NEVER seen a box of macaroni and cheese or a bag of chips in the
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to live to 100—not just existing, but thriving—Dr. Walter M. Bortz lays it all out in his groundbreaking book, Dare to be 100. This isn’t just a book; it’s a blueprint for longevity, perfectly aligned with my Proactive Aging Blueprint philosophy. Dr. Bortz doesn’t believe in aging passively, and neither do I. His approach focuses on taking deliberate action in key areas of life to build not just years, but quality years.
Let’s get real for a second. Having a plan is great, but you know what separates dreamers from doers? Consistency. It’s not about starting strong or waiting for motivation to strike—it’s about showing up every day, even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or boring. That’s how progress happens. From the Proactive Aging Blueprint: “Consistency isn’t sexy, but it’s the secret sauce to success. It’s the quiet grind that turns small actions into big results. The key isn’t perfection; it’s
One of the biggest mistakes you can make on the pickleball court? Not following the ball. If your feet aren’t moving, you’re giving your opponents wide-open targets—and trust me, they’ll take full advantage. The key to staying competitive is staying in motion, staying in position, and staying ready to attack. But here’s the kicker: learning to follow the ball doesn’t just improve your game—it builds the functional fitness, balance, and agility that benefit you in
Here’s the truth, Badasses: Muscle isn’t just about looking good—it’s the key to your independence, energy, and longevity. Lose it, and you lose your ability to move, play, and live on your terms. Keep it, and you’ll stay strong, confident, and unstoppable. From the Proactive Aging Blueprint: By the time you hit 50, you could be losing 1-2% of your muscle mass per year if you’re not strength training. Think about that—by 70, you could be down 20-30%.
Let’s talk about something most people overlook: Recovery. If you think the magic happens during your workouts, think again. Your muscles grow, repair, and get stronger when you recover—not when you’re banging out reps. Without a recovery plan, you’re spinning your wheels and risking burnout or injury. So, here’s the big question: What’s YOUR recovery plan? Why Recovery Matters From the Proactive Aging Blueprint: “Workouts break your muscles down; recovery is when they rebuild stronger than before. Without proper recovery,
Stop pushing through pain, hoping it’ll magically go away! Your body’s screaming at you saying, ‘Fix me before you wreck me!’ Keep watching and I’ll show you how to fix what’s broken with a quick and simple approach that YOU can do yourself—no pricey physical therapy required. Corrective exercise is the ultimate fix-it toolkit, and it has three parts: Foam Rolling, Stretching, and Strengthening. Let me break it down. Step1 – Foam Rolling (Self-Massage) –