Pickleball | Faith | Fatherhood

Spins, Serves + Faith: A Weekly Pickleball Playbook

Hey there! Welcome back to this week’s newsletter. Grab a cup of coffee (decaf if it’s nighttime when you are reading this!), kick back, and let’s dive into what’s been going on. It’s been a whirlwind of a week—San Francisco weddings, pickleball content, and of course, the usual 9-5 grind. I’m running on fumes but it was all worth it. Here’s the scoop.

The Wedding Craze

I just returned from San Francisco after being in a good friend’s wedding. Let me tell you, weddings hit different as you get older. It was a beautiful day filled with love, laughter, and some questionable dance moves on my part LOL. But hey, we enjoyed! The celebration was fantastic, but now I’m back to the real world—parenting, work, and pickleball, of course.

Faith Thread: Choosing Faith Over Feelings

Amidst the chaos, I needed a faith refresher. Life has been so busy lately, and it’s been too easy to put off time with the Lord. If you’re feeling the same, you’re not alone! I posted a thread this week on X about faith, and I hope it resonates with you. Here’s a quick summary:

🧵 Faith isn’t a feeling; it’s a choice. You can’t wait for faith to find you—you have to build it. Here’s how:

Stop waiting for a sign—start taking action. Don’t wait for the stars to align; faith grows when you decide to believe, even when you don’t feel like it.

Make prayer a non-negotiable habit. Think of prayer like your morning coffee. It gets you going, and your day just doesn’t feel right without it.

Get into the Word—no exceptions. Start small, one verse a day. The more you read, the more you understand God’s game plan for your life.

Surround yourself with believers. Remember, iron sharpens iron. Be around people who lift you up, not tear you down.

Faith is a muscle—work it daily. Push yourself out of your comfort zone. You can’t grow if you don’t stretch!

Face your doubts head-on. It’s okay to question your faith. Use those doubts to dig deeper and find stronger answers.

Cut out the noise—focus on what matters. Set some boundaries with social media and news. Give God some room to speak to you without the extra static.

Practice gratitude—every day. Gratitude is the best defense against doubt. Start your day with thankfulness, and watch how your perspective changes.

Trust the process—faith takes time. Be patient with yourself. Growth is a journey, not a race.

Your past doesn’t define your future—God does. Wherever you’re starting from, God’s grace is more than enough. Step into your new story with confidence.

So, what step are you taking today? I’d love to hear what’s working for you or if you’ve got a favorite verse that’s been speaking to you lately!

Pickleball Tip of the Week: The Forehand Topspin Speed-Up 🚀

Let’s switch gears and talk some pickleball! This week, we’re dialing in on the forehand topspin speed-up off the bounce. It’s a game-changer if you can nail it down. Here’s the rundown:

  1. Paddle Tip Down. You’re going to brush up on the ball with a quick motion.

  2. Right Leg Behind the Ball. Balance is key. Get that right leg behind the ball so you’re balanced.

  3. Contact in Front. Hit the ball in front of your body to get maximum control and spin.

  4. Stay Disguised. Your take-back should look just like your dink setup. Keep ‘em guessing!

  5. Aim for the Middle. Usually, the best place to put this shot is through the middle of the court or straight ahead.

Give it a try in your next game and let me know how it goes! I want to hear what you’re working on in your game. What’s been your biggest challenge lately? I’m all ears, and if you’ve got ideas for future content, shoot them my way—I’m always looking for new inspiration.

Wrapping It Up

Thanks for hanging out with me this week! I hope something here resonated with you, whether it was the faith thread, the pickleball tip, or just knowing we’re all juggling a million things. To any new readers, welcome! I hope you found something valuable, and if you did, I’d be grateful if you shared this with friends and family who might enjoy it too.

Remember, whether it’s faith, fatherhood, or forehands, we’re all on this journey together. Keep striving, keep believing, and keep having fun out there. Wishing you an amazing week ahead filled with clarity, great pickleball shots, and some quality time with loved ones.

Catch you next time!

—Bryant