How can pickleball and travel come together to create deeper connection, purpose, joy, and meaningful impact around the world?
In this episode, Melinda Alcosser shares her unique journey from educator and co-founder of the Connecticut Experiential Learning Center to certified IPTPA coach, USA Pickleball ambassador, and travel expert creating intentional pickleball experiences through Carpe Dinkum Pickleball and With Heart Travel. Melinda talks about first discovering pickleball on Frye Island in Maine, the surprising family connection her husband had to the game’s early roots near Whidbey Island, and how the sport gradually became more than recreation and turned into a vehicle for connection, service, and transformation.
Melinda also shares how she began leading pickleball trips that combine coaching, community, and cultural exchange, including her work in Punta Cana where travelers connect with local students through pickleball and support schools with equipment and encouragement. She explains why travel can be far more than tourism, how “transformational travel” and “regenerative travel” can open hearts and minds, and why she believes pickleball can help people connect across generations, cultures, and experiences in deeply meaningful ways.
Along the way, Melinda opens up about her fundraising work connected to Uganda, her vision for the Carpe Dinkum Giving Club, and the life lessons pickleball continues to teach her about joy, patience, presence, curiosity, and slowing down enough to truly experience life. This is an uplifting conversation about pickleball, pickleball travel, transformational travel, regenerative travel, Punta Cana, Uganda, community impact, joy, mindfulness, and the life lessons that remind us to be present, stay curious, and seize the dink.
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CnymmY1u9/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.withhearttravel.com/
https://travelandpickleball.com/
📘 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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