Mike Branon’s The Joy of Pickleball

Pickleball & The Art of Living written by Mike Branon dives into a human’s intrinsic love of play, noting how we play, pursue and perceive our passions that make our days memorable and enjoyable. Likewise, his most recent release, The Joy of Pickleball uses pickleball as a means of living better, happier, and healthier lives overall.

Mike is a structural steel engineer and with the help of a little passive income, was able to retire by the ripe age of 40 years old. The rest of his life has been dedicated to following his life passions such as travel, nonprofits, volunteering and now, pickleball! Pickleball has become a huge part of Mike’s later life and the sole reason he was inspired to write his books.

While on a cruise during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mike found the inspiration for his pickleball books while floating through the pacific ocean. He took the downtime of the lockdown to start writing, and his first book eventually came out of a lockdown well spent.

Pickleball in the Sun’s Laura Gainor had the joy of talking with Mike this summer to discuss his two notable writings, Pickleball & The Art of Living and The Joy of Pickleball. Pickleball in the Sun has found great inspiration in Mike and his work. Specifically, the branding for Pickleball in the Sun was created with inspiration from Pickleball & The Art of Living in mind. Undoubtedly, Mike has had a greatly positive influence on both the pickleball community far and wide and his own community as well.

Mike’s first book, Pickleball & The Art of Living is a cumulation of his thoughts on how to live well and how to approach life with a growth mindset. According to Mike, everyday is an opportunity to grow as a pickleball player, yet grow as a collective member of society and make a lasting and positive impact on those around you as well.

This book helps to re-orient pickleball players to learn how to say yes to life, how to say no when you need to say no, and to look at certain things a little differently. Themes of discipline, motivation, determination, and perfectionism are mentioned throughout the read. Mike discusses how to navigate relationships both on and off the court, how to not stay in toxic situations, and to not fear change.

His second read, The Joy of Pickleball, is a book dedicated to the core demographic of the sport, the senior pickleball player. The book helps the senior player to play better, learn techniques, instructional material, play healthier, but above all, play happy. It’s not all about just getting to 11, he reminds in the book, and encourages senior players to play within their means and stay happy and healthy while doing so.

This book is geared towards helping senior players reimagine their athletic life. The read aims to helping seniors find their tribe; those near their playing level, fitness level, but above all, make you laugh! The goal is to showcase pickleball as an accessible sport for all and remind help senior players that they are just as capable as anyone else.

To listen to the full interview between Pickleball in the Sun and author Mike Branon, click on the video below.

To get your hands on both titles, head to www.mikebranon.com/.

Special shoutout to Mike Branon for taking the time to discuss his pickleball career and contributions to the sport and to The Pickle Garden at The Yards for hosting us at their beautiful courts!