S2 Ep. 14 — Flashlights, crushes, and finding her people on the pickleball court

Shireen was just looking for a tennis court when pickleball found her — and nothing has been the same since. In this episode, she shares how the sport reignited a childlike joy she didn't know she was missing, and how showing up to open play led to friendships that now extend far beyond the courts. As a dentist, Shireen brings a fascinating lens to the game, drawing unexpected parallels between the focus required in her work and the mental presence pickleball demands. Highlights How stumbling onto a pickleball court while searching for tennis completely redirected her relationship with sport and play The vulnerability of showing up to open play as a total beginner — and why it was worth it The unexpected joy of playing outside again like a kid, and why that feeling matters What dentistry taught her about focus — and how it shows up in her pickleball game Using her phone flashlight to light up the courts for early morning sessions How being an outdoorsy person from New Mexico has influenced her love for the game Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:40 Stumbling upon pickleball when looking for tennis courts 05:04 Th first time at open play and not being able to play 09:07 Rediscovering the joy of playing outside again like a kid 12:21 Sizing people up to play 17:47 Finding community and connection during life ups and downs 20:27 Friendships that have moved beyond the courts 22:14 The thrill of a pickleball crush 23:45 Using her phone flashlight to light up the courts for early morning play 25:14 Blasting Sarah Landry on the courts 27:41 Pet Peeves in Pickleball 30:52 The Dentist on the Court 35:36 Lessons on focus from dentistry on the courts 36:58 How pickleball makes her feel so different than tennis