Life Lessons from Pickleball™

E6: Will & Lilly Terry: Finding Joy and Growth on the Pickleball Court

Shelley Maurer and Sher Emerick Episode 6

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0:00 | 37:37

How can pickleball help us discover hidden strength, build confidence, practice grace under pressure, and even inspire stories for children and adults alike?

In this episode, Will and Lilly Terry share their joyful pickleball journey and the creative story behind their beloved Pickleball Paul books. Will, a freelance illustrator for more than 30 years and co-founder of the School of Visual Storytelling, and Lilly, his warm and insightful partner on and off the court, talk about how moving to a retirement community in Arizona led them from tennis into pickleball and into a whole new chapter of friendship, competition, and personal growth. What began as curiosity quickly turned into full-on pickleball addiction, with drilling sessions, open play, league matches, and the challenge of learning how to play together as a couple. 

They also reflect on the deeper lessons the game has taught them, from handling pressure and giving yourself grace to trusting your body, staying positive, and remembering that every new point is a fresh start. Lilly shares how pickleball helped her realize just how strong and capable she really is, while Will opens up about how sports, art, and teaching helped him understand that traditional school systems often miss the gifts of visual and kinesthetic learners. Along the way, they explain how those same ideas of belonging, perseverance, confidence, and growth found their way into the Pickleball Paul children’s books, which are helping introduce a new generation to the game. 

This is a fun, thoughtful, and uplifting conversation about pickleball, Pickleball Paul, children’s books, illustration, creativity, Arizona pickleball, retirement community pickleball, couples pickleball, confidence, sportsmanship, encouragement, learning styles, and the life lessons that remind us to watch the ball, trust our body, stay kind to ourselves, and never stop growing. 

📘 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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