How I Met Blake Renaud
The popularity of Pickleball in my community was extremely evident in the weeks following the release of the episode featuring Blake Renaud. The outpouring of correspondence I received in response to this particular segment staggered the imagination.
Moreover, it made me feel as though I were an outsider in my own community. It seemed as though every person I encountered had already played the sport of Pickleball. It definitely piqued my curiosity seeing the variety of individuals coming forward to recount their affiliation with the hottest activity in America. I needed to try it out for myself.
My dentist, veterinarian, friends, and even my extended family had all gushed about their love for the sport after the episode with Cameron Luhring. In case you’ve not yet taken in the episode, Cam is a PicklePlay sponsored Pickleball player who is working his way through the ranks as a professional player on the national level. After his episode release, and seeing the interest in the sport, it made perfect sense to bring Blake on for an episode.
Sitting across from Blake, and listening to her detail the balancing act of entrepreneurship and motherhood, reiterated the importance of telling these stories. Despite our differences, it was very easy to relate to the reality of the things Blake and I discussed. Her authenticity about the actualities of the daily grind sure hit home.
Chasing your dreams in a world where things don’t go as you had planned is something that everyone can understand. If your dreams matter enough to you, it doesn’t matter what obstacles stand in your way. You will find a way to succeed and these are lessons we can all benefit from hearing.
Special thanks to the people in Manchester, Iowa, who graciously shared their equipment and knowledge with us this past weekend. I definitely understand why people are so enthralled with this game! Players at literally every level of athleticism were able to compete with one another, and we all had a wonderful time.
𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙞𝙙𝙚!
