Behind The Scenes of Being Professional Pickleball Athlete | Ben Johns

Living Life on the Run: A Day in the Life of Star Pickleballer Ben Johns

As the world's top-ranked pickleball player, Ben Johns spends much of his life on the road, traveling from tournament to tournament across the country. Though the glory of victory may look slick from the outside, Johns gives us an inside look at the grittier side of life as a pro in this rapidly growing sport.

Constantly On the Move 0:35 Johns estimates he's traveling to tournaments at least one to three weeks out of every month. He notes that the constant travel takes a sneaky toll, physically and mentally exhausting players over time. To make travel more bearable, Johns shares tips like getting TSA PreCheck and Clear to speed up airport screenings. Still, he emphasizes that fans underestimate the grind of travel. "It's definitely a lot more exhausting than people really know," Johns says.

Sticking to a Balanced Schedule 1:36 Maintaining consistency amidst chaos is key, according to Johns. He stresses hydrating while flying and finding healthy food options to stay at the top of his game. Johns also explains the importance of adjusting sleep schedules to new time zones. With this taxing lifestyle, recovery is crucial. Having a set schedule and routine enables Johns to operate at the highest level tournament after tournament.

Leaning on a Professional Team 2:46 As the sport professionalizes, so too do the players. Johns now travels with a dedicated manager and physical therapist to competitions. He explains that having a team around him makes things feel more serious and helps him focus primarily on performance. The squad helps tend to Johns' body, allowing him to keep competing against the increasingly difficult competition.

Camaraderie Amongst the Pros 3:52 Though the pro player scene continues to intensify, Johns believes much of the fun, social atmosphere remains. He enjoys that the top athletes can all relate to one another in doing this professionally. Johns shares how it's almost funny to be playing pickleball for a living. He also gained insight from pro tennis players who said that over time, pros do become more isolated than social. Still, Johns doesn't foresee pickleball reaching that extreme, predicting that players will likely remain reasonably friendly.

Key Insights for Aspiring Stars 7:14 Finally, Johns imparts some words of wisdom to those looking to go pro. He encourages aspirants to enjoy the journey itself regardless of outcome, keeping a lighthearted perspective. Johns also foresees great potential for many to achieve lofty goals in this burgeoning sport if they put in the hard work. Most importantly, he reminds us not to lose sight of simply having fun playing pickleball along the way.

While glitzy trophies may await at the finish line, Ben Johns gives us the real rundown of professional pickleball. It's a life of airplane mode and knee braces behind the scenes. But at its core, Johns says to remember it's still just about playing a game.

Timestamps 0:00 Intro 0:35 Constantly On the Road 1:36 Sticking to a Schedule 2:46 Hiring a Professional Team 3:52 Camaraderie Amongst the Pros 7:14 Tips for Aspiring Pros