You miss one dink and suddenly you’re hosting your own sports talk radio show.
“Unbelievable.”
“She’s fallen apart out there.”
“Has she ever held a paddle before?”
If your inner monologue on the pickleball court sounds less like encouragement and more like a roast, this episode is for you.
In this week’s conversation, Coach Mindy Yoder — one of the most respected mental-game coaches in The Villages — talks about something most rec players completely ignore: the way we sabotage ourselves with our own self-talk.
Because here’s the thing:
You can work on your drops.
You can drill your resets.
You can take clinics, watch YouTube, and buy the “right” paddle.
But if your brain is smacking you around mid-rally?
You’re in trouble.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why negative self-talk is often rooted in fear (of failure, disappointing your partner, not being “good enough”)
Why paddle-smacking yourself doesn’t magically improve your third shot drop
How to interrupt a nasty thought in real time
What to say instead of “Don’t do that!”
Why training your brain to notice what went well changes everything
What you can do when your partner is being hard on themselves (because yes, it affects you too)
Mindy offers simple reframes you can use immediately — shifting from “no” language to “yes” language. From punishment to correction. From ego to awareness.
It’s practical.
It’s honest.
And it’s surprisingly freeing.
Short, practical insights for recreational players who want answers.
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