In this episode of Pickleball Talks, host Mark Cerezin sits down with Michelle Verde — founder of the Wise Mind Project, former ballet dancer, juvenile justice social worker, and actor — to explore the mental game behind pickleball, sports performance, and everyday stress management.
If you've ever wondered how to stay calm on the pickleball court, manage nerves during competitive play, or build a more positive pickleball community at your local courts, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed tools you can use today.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why mental training matters as much as physical skill in pickleball and other sports
- How the amygdala triggers fight-flight-freeze responses — and how to interrupt them
- Simple breathwork techniques (box breathing, 5-senses check-ins) to reset under pressure
- Why pickleball's sportsmanship culture stands out from other competitive sports
- How mindfulness programs are helping kids and athletes manage anxiety and big emotions
- The story behind Roger Bannister's four-minute mile and what it teaches us about self-imposed limits
- Tips for building a more welcoming, inclusive vibe at your local pickleball courts
Topics covered: pickleball mental game, sports psychology, mindfulness for athletes, breathwork techniques, amygdala and stress response, pickleball community culture, youth mental health, NLP (neuro-linguistic programming), competitive sports mindset
Michelle also shares updates on the Wise Mind Project, her work bringing mindfulness training into schools and sports teams, and her return to the stage in a Fort Lauderdale theater production.
🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get your podcasts.
📺 Coming soon: Pickleball Talks is heading to TV on Apple and Roku!
🔗 Learn more: wisemindproject.org
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