How can pickleball become a new career, a creative brand, and a powerful community that truly changes lives?
In this episode, Dean “Deano” Guyer shares his inspiring journey from playing tennis at age four and competing in collegiate tennis in Indiana to becoming a pro pickleball player, coach, and one of the passionate voices behind the pickleball lifestyle brand VIVUS Pickleball. Deano talks about first seeing pickleball as more of a lawn game than a serious sport, then discovering just how athletic, competitive, and addictive it could be after moving to Bend, Oregon and stumbling upon a professional tournament. From that point on, his pickleball journey took off.
Deano also shares how his love for the sport led him into coaching at the Premier Pickleball Club in Redmond, Oregon, where he now helps players of all levels grow their game by focusing on both their strengths and the areas that need refinement. He explains why pickleball coaching is not about forcing everyone into the same mold, but about helping each player find a style that fits their body, instincts, and confidence. Along the way, he reflects on the huge difference between tennis and pickleball culture, the extraordinary diversity of the pickleball community, and why the sport creates friendships and belonging in a way he has never experienced anywhere else.
He also opens up about co-founding VIVUS Pickleball and the message behind “Pickleball Saves Lives,” a phrase born from the countless stories he and his friend Jessica heard from players whose lives were changed through movement, recovery, friendship, grief, healing, and purpose on the pickleball court. This is a heartfelt and energizing conversation about pickleball, pro pickleball, pickleball coaching, Redmond Oregon, Bend Oregon, VIVUS Pickleball, Pickleball Saves Lives, tennis to pickleball, friendship, community, growth, and the life lessons that remind us the game is never just about winning, but about the people we meet and the lives we build along the way.
📘 Our book Life Lessons from Pickleball™ is now available on Amazon
Order the book here: https://a.co/d/0bHPFYve
A collection of short, true stories from players around the world about community, resilience, and joy through the game of pickleball.
A portion of proceeds supports Operation PaddleLift, through the Global Pickleball Federation, distributing paddles, balls and nets to underserved communities around the world.
Contact us: www.lifelessonsfrompickleball@gmail.com
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Music gifted to us by Ian Pedersen: @ianpedersen
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