Synopsis (from the authors):
"Pickleball. Is it the ultimate therapy or a fast track to the counselor's couch? While couples flock to the courts with dreams of shared joy, they are often quickly confronted by criticism and frustration, in other words, the reality of playing pickleball together. It's no wonder both marriage counseling and divorce are on the rise.
Dr. Stormy Hill and Teri Citterman know the struggle. They've witnessed countless couples transform from sweethearts to sparring partners in the blink of an eye.
With a blend of humor and expertise, they offer couples playful and powerful strategies to master the court, have more fun, and win more points. Because, at the end of the day, it's just pickleball. And no one wants to end up on an episode of Dateline."
Author bios:
Stormy Hill is a mental health therapist and relationship coach from Salt Lake City, where
you can ski some of the best peaks and play pickleball all in the same day.
Teri Citterman is an executive coach from Seattle, the birthplace of pickleball, who now resides in Austin, Texas, home to some of the top pro pickleball players in the world.
We are doubles partners at the 3.5 - 4.0 level. We met in Costa Rica and found we shared a love for pickleball and for our respective partners. We realized that, sometimes, the combination of the two ignites a chemical explosion that teeters on the edge of amazement, before it plummets into a cesspool of disappointment.
We've experienced the pickleball highs and lows with our partners. Some days we rock the court as a relational unit to be reckoned with. Other days, our looks can kill, words can wound, and it's not just us. We've witnessed this dynamic between couples at rec play, drill practice, and at camps, clinics, and tournaments. We've seen couples – husbands, wives, spouses, significant others, life partners, soulmates, and lovers – in conflict and losing points and faith in each other because of it.
We know the anguish and the addiction firsthand.
Website: http://loveandpickleball.net
Facebook: @love.and.pickleball
Instagram: @love_and_pickleball
TikTok: @loveandpickleball
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Amazon: https://amzn.to/3V6hzkr
Praise:
“A must-read for any pickleball-playing couple. It's a hilarious and insightful look at the challenges and rewards of playing with your spouse.” – Tim Klitch, General Manager and part-owner of Major League Pickleball Team Texas Ranchers. Founder & Chief Fun Officer at Austin Pickle Ranch
“Teri and Stormy share personal stories of frustrations (and growth) while playing with their spouses, allowing readers to see themselves in the variety of personalities reflected. Teri's direct, CEO-advising style complements Stormy's therapy-based approach to enhance communication between partners. – Dr. Joel Bell PhD, LMHC, Son of Pickleball Co-Inventor Bill Bell
“In A Pickle is a game-changer for couples. I laughed, I cried! This book perfectly captures the chaos and joy of playing pickleball with your partner.” – Pickleball Pro Dave ‘the Badger’ Weinbach, 10-time National Champion, 15-time US Open Champion, and winner of 210 Gold Medals
“This book is dynamite for couples, blending hilarious insights with genuinely useful tips on keeping love alive while smashing it on the pickleball court. I can’t recommend it enough for anyone who wants to score big in both their relationship and their pickleball game!”
– Dr. Sharon Noble, PhD, Couples Therapist, School Psychologist, Somatic Embodiment Coach
"In this delightful and humorous book, couples are taken on a journey of learning how to play pickleball together without driving each other crazy. The author's witty and relatable anecdotes make this a must-read for any couple looking to strengthen their relationship while mastering a new sport." – Kevin Beeson, KB Pickleball, Senior Pro Player, 3-time National Champion, Touring Teaching Professional, and Author of Pickleball Metaphors: The fast track to better pickleball
"This book is a delightful blend of beauty and humor. By reading it, not only will you enhance your game, but you will also strengthen your connection with your better half on the court. Enjoy the journey!" – Fernanda Aragon, Pickleball Pro, COPA LATAM PICKLEBALL National Women's Doubles Champion for Costa Rica
On writing:
How did you do research for your book?
We lived the research as we learned to play better with our significant others. In all seriousness, we talked to countless couples at rec play and tournaments about the dynamics of playing together. We witnessed couples struggling on the court and losing points in the game and in love because of it.
In your book you make a reference to....Kitchen Knife Moments. How did you come up with this idea?
On the pickleball court, the non-volley zone is called the kitchen. A friend Teri plays with showed up one day and mentioned she nearly had a ‘kitchen knife moment’ with her husband the night before. She was referring to the actual kitchen, but Teri and Raj adopted this endearing term to describe the feeling you have on the pickleball court when you just want to clock your partner with your paddle. (Not that you would.)
Where do you get inspiration for your stories?
Our own lives and pickleball careers. Our friends who play. And anyone who plays with their significant other.
There are many books out there about pickleball....What makes yours different?
While there are books on how to play pickleball, strategy, the rules etc.… In A Pickle, How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other is the first book of its kind that combines both sports and relationships. While it’s a book about how to play pickleball with your significant other, it’s really a book about relationships and how to thrive together.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
Teri is an executive coach, ghostwriter for books by CEOs and entrepreneur.
Stormy is a mental health therapist, relationship coach, and entrepreneur.
Fun stuff:
Favorite dessert?
Stormy – all things chocolate. She even has a tattoo on her forearm of a chocolate benefit.
Teri – Loves cheese cake and raw cookie dough. Yes, raw.
If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?
Stormy: You are never too much. Women often shrink themselves to be smaller to accommodate what the media often feeds us about being too much. But the world needs your bigness now more than ever.
Teri: Just play. Pickleball is a fun game that will keep you healthy, keep your brain engaged and keep you coming back for more.
What is your go-to breakfast item?
Stormy – all things eggs.
Teri – Vanilla pancakes made from scratch
What is the strangest way you've become friends with someone?
Stormy: Meeting Teri all sweaty and hot on the pickleball court in Costa Rica is up there and I am so glad I did
Teri: I couldn’t agree more.
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