From the Court to the Heart: Building Community Through Pickleball

In this episode of Getting to the Heart, I sit down with Shelley Maurer and Sher Emerick, co-hosts of Life Lessons from Pickleball (On and Off the Court), to dive into how this wildly popular sport is changing lives in ways you’d never expect. What started as a simple game has become a powerful force for building community, fostering connection, and even transforming lives across the globe. We explore how pickleball isn’t just about the sport—it’s about showing up, stepping into something new, and saying “yes” to the unexpected. Shelley and Sher share remarkable stories from the court, from playing pickleball in prisons to introducing the game to amputees, wheelchair players, and children in Ghana. They open up about their own journeys—how they met, why they started their podcast, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. We also get personal. Sher shares her experience of embracing singlehood and staying friends with her exes, while Shelley reflects on how the game continues to bring unexpected joy into her life. And, of course, we talk about the bigger picture—how we can all support one another, lean into uncomfortable conversations, and find connection in places we never imagined. If you’ve ever felt hesitant to try something new, if you’re craving community, or if you’re just curious about why pickleball is taking the world by storm, this conversation is for you.

Getting to the Heart - Life, Relationships, Divorce · Shelley Maurer, Sher Emerick, Michele Heffron