All Episodes
Special Episode - The Book Conversations - Part 1
In this special episode I sit down with longtime student and friend Jeff Renshaw for a behind-the-scenes conversation about my upcoming book. We explore core mental pe...
Ep. 257 - My Favorite Episode of 2025: Climbing the Mount of Mudita
In this episode I take you on a climb up the “Mount of Mudita,” a journey through three powerful stages of pickleball mindset growth—from realizing you’re not the cent...
Ep. 256 - Do your Best to Play your Best
"Do your best to play your best" is a deceptively simple idea, but its depth can transform the way you experience the game—and yourself. It reshapes how we approach bo...
Special Episode - The Lions Roar with Dr. Peter Scales
In this special episode, I sit down live at Major League Pickleball with Dr. Peter Scales to explore how players can elevate their mental game through mindful focus an...
Ep. 255 - What do you need to play better pickleball?
Improvement in pickleball, like most things, is cumulative. You can’t skip steps. Instead of chasing trendy shots or quick fixes, in this episode I walk you through a ...
Ep. 254 - Chasing Wins is the Reason you are Stuck or Frustrated
Are you stuck at your current level or feeling frustrated with your progress? In this episode, CJ Johnson dives deep into why chasing wins might be holding you back. S...
Ep. 253 - Is there a Bigger Win for us?
Is there a bigger win available in the way you show up on the court? In this episode I challenge you to look beyond the immediate win to pursue a bigger victory. This ...
Special Episode - Keep Improving Your Body - Interview with Ty Woody
In this special episdoe I have the pleasure of interviewing Ty Woody, a sports performance coach as we explore how strengthening key areas of the body— like the legs a...
Ep. 252 - The Root Cause of A Lot
Theres's an often-overlooked root cause behind much of what we experience on the court: insecurity. From missed shots to disputes over line calls, in this episode I un...
The Best from our Archives Part 6 - Bookmark this Episode - 3 Tips to Help you Play your Best Today - Special Episode
In this week's episode we go back to archives where I'll share three essential mindset tools to help you mentally prepare before stepping onto the court. This will dee...
Ep. 250 - How about your Partner?
As pickleball players, we're constantly assessing our games—technique, shot selection, strategy. But how often do we stop to consider our partner, the fourth player on...
Special Episode - A Chat with Lydia Hirt from Life Time Pickleball
In this special episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Lydia Hirt, Vice President of Marketing at Life Time, to explore the explosive growth of pickleball across...
Ep. 249 - Process Your Results Correctly
Pickleball, like life, is variable. Some days you go 8–0. Others, you walk off the court without a single win. And both outcomes are completely normal. The key is unde...
Ep. 248 - Don't Diminish You
It’s one thing to say, “That was a tough match.” It’s another to say, “I lost that game.” The difference lies in focus. When you focus entirely on your own mistakes, y...
Ep. 247 - Chasing Fairies
"Chasing fairies" or the seductive but unproven strategies can often lead us astray on the court. From spinning dinks to rigid rules like "forehand in the middle," it'...
Ep. 246 - Don't Diminish Your Friends
Ego has a sneaky way of turning every match into a personal story—even when our friends earn the win. In this episode, I challenge you to rethink how you interpret los...
EP. 245 - How Redlining Holds You Back and What To Do About It
Redlining is a hidden obstacle affecting players at every level. This episode breaks down how staying too amped up impacts performance, limits mental flexibility, and ...
Ep. 244 - Stop Chasing Pickleball Distractions
In this episode, C.J. Johnson steps in for Tony Roig and explores the mental trap of chasing flashy pickleball techniques seen online—shots that often harm more than h...