Anna Bright: From Tennis Star to Pickleball Phenom
The Journey of a Trailblazer Who's Changing the Game One Paddle at a Time
In the rapidly evolving world of pickleball, few names resonate as powerfully as Anna Bright's. Known for her sharp mind, relentless drive, and an infectious sense of humor, Bright has transitioned from a standout tennis player at Cal Berkeley to one of the top competitors in the pickleball arena. In this engaging episode of "Talk Pickle To Me," hosted by Kaitlyn Kerr, we dive into Bright's fascinating life journey, from her academic achievements and solo hike of the Pacific Crest Trail to her meteoric rise in professional pickleball. Here, we unpack the stories and insights that make Anna Bright not just a player to watch, but a personality to celebrate.
1. 0:00, Intro
Kaitlyn introduces Anna Bright, highlighting her as the seventh guest in the series of the most influential women in pickleball.
2. 1:10, Anna Cuts Her Own Hair?
Anna shares her unique haircare routine, revealing she cut her own hair from age 17 until recently, showcasing her unconventional side.
3. 4:40, Growing Up // Oldest of 3 Daughters, Chinese Immigrant Mother
Discussion on Anna's upbringing, including her mother's influence and the dynamics of being the oldest of three sisters.
4. 6:30, Li Ping is Queen.
A tribute to Anna's mother, Li Ping, whose vibrant personality and humor have made her a beloved figure in the pickleball community.
5. 9:00, High School Valedictorian to Cal Berkeley Tennis
Anna discusses her academic and athletic journey, including her valedictorian status and her time playing tennis at Cal Berkeley.
6. 14:30, Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail- 2600 Miles Solo?
Insights into Anna's solo trek on the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2600-mile journey that shaped her resilience and self-discovery.
Kaitlyn: Okay, so in our previous interview (See above: Instagram September 2022), you said that life was pretty easy growing up, you wanted to challenge yourself and you wanted to do hard things. So, after college graduation, you went on to complete the Pacific Crest Trail, hiking over 2600 miles solo. What was the motivation behind completing such an adventure, and just talk about the experience?
Anna: Yeah, so, kind of like I said in the previous interview, the large motivation, I think, during the COVID time, like everyone's home, and I think a lot of people had a lot of time to reflect. And I kind of decided that I wanted to do something kind of beyond the typical mold. I felt like, like my whole life, the next step had been pretty, pretty obvious, like it is for, you know, a lot of people when they're younger. You know, like you finish high school, you go to college, then you get a job or whatever. But for me, I just felt like it had kind of been a little bit on easy mode to an extent because of tennis. Like, I was going to go D1 to a good school; it was just kind of like which school I was going to have, like a full ride scholarship. It's just like where am I going to go, like what am I going to major in? And then kind of, I had everything; I had done the internships, so I was ready to get, you know, a decent job after college. But I just kind of felt like everything had been a little easy, and I wanted to do something to break the mold, to really challenge myself and just to kind of, I don't know about proving to myself I could do like something hard, but kind of that was kind of the sentiment.
Also, in that time during COVID, like, I did a few things that I was really proud of, and kind of, and also like my parents weren't very into outdoorsy things, so I didn't have much experience. Like a lot of people ask, like, have you done this, have you done that? And I'll be like, no, like, I've never gone skiing; I've never done, like, water sports; there's a lot of things I have not done. And like hiking and dabbling in that was one of them. So my best friend Sophia and I, I'm actually at her house right now, like, we went backpacking in the Smokies, and we did like a 4-day, like 22 or 23-mile trip in the Smoky Mountains. So it is tough hiking, but we thought we were so sick, like going like six or seven miles a day, like we thought we were like hardcore, you know?
And for a first-time experience like that, that is that is sick, you know, but it's just, just it's just kind of cute to think back on everything.
So we did that, and then I did a 50k trail run in Zion, actually, the same place, like the same city as where the Red Rock tournament is. So it's kind of, kind of funny now whenever I go back. And it's funny, actually, I'm not playing Red Rock this year, but that race coincides with the tournament this year, so I was thinking about going and just not playing women's doubles and doing like the 60k or something, but then I was like, ah, but then like what if I like do well in mix? I was like, that's bad. But then Joola has a trip to Asia planned that week, so I didn't have to make that decision.
But yeah, and then I also did, like, to kind of prove to myself I could do the PCT, I knew I needed to be able to endure a little misery and kind of prove to myself that I could. So Florida has, like, pretty close to my house, like a 62-mile trail, and it's flat, so it's not too hard, but at the time of year I did it, like in December, it was watery; like, I walked through like 42 miles of water. And I, it was so, and I did it; it was tough. I actually finished on Christmas Day, and I was so emotionally drained that I think I, I was vegan at the time, and my little sister had finished all my vegan butter when I got home, and I cried about it. Like, I was so emotionally drained, but I got through it. So then I was like, okay, I can do the PCT because with my start date being late because of NCAA, I had to be able to move pretty fast, like 20 miles a day from the jump, with how water sources work out there; there's a lot of nitty-gritty to it. But yeah, I just wanted to do something hard; I wanted to challenge myself.
I definitely did not love hiking as much as most people on the trail, and that came with some extra challenges. Like, I think I faced burnout earlier to an extent. Everyone deals with a sense of burnout, and like, a lot of people were really sad about finishing, and that's great; I'm happy for them, like that's awesome that they loved it so much and they were sad. I did have a great time, but I was like, get me off this trail. I was like, I was actually in a terrible mood on the last day for, like, the first half of the day because I was so annoyed because how it works with it being kind of still COVID restrictions, to an extent, it's like you couldn't normally finish the trail at the Canadian border; you can go five more miles into Canada and then you can get out from there, you can kind of find civilization. But the way it worked, because of COVID, Canada would not let you cross into the border, so you got to the Canadian border, and you have to hike 30 miles back to the Canadian border. You have to come back out 30 miles, so I was in a rotten mood that I was going to finish and not be done.
I was in a terrible mood; I was such a Debbie Downer that day, but once I got close to the finish, like, I was happy, and then, you know, you have to turn around and do 30 more miles. But it was funny, I was actually in such a rotten mood the last day because I was like, I have to do 30 more miles; I'm not even done; this is so BS. So it was fun; it was a good time; it feels like a different life, like a different person kind of who did that. That's what my tattoo is about; I get asked a lot about my tattoo. It's the symbol of the trail.
Kaitlyn: Yeah, your tattoo for anyone that doesn't know, I think it's on your thigh?
Anna: Yeah, I'll show it; I'll just, it's a little, it's a little baby tree.
Kaitlyn: I love it. Such a good reminder of it because that is, I don't know, that's just such an amazing life experience, and when you get older like me, time starts to dwindle. Like, you don't have those that ability to have three-month blocks to just do it.
Anna: Yeah, it was a convenient time in life, and everything. I think I've generally been a very, very lucky person, not that hard work doesn't lend itself to luck, but I definitely acknowledge that I'm a very lucky person, so everything worked out really well for me.
7. 20:15, Becoming Pickleball Obsessed
Anna explains her rapid transition from hiking back to sports, finding her new passion in pickleball.
8. 23:45, One-of-a-kind Competitor
Highlighting what makes Anna a unique competitor in pickleball, emphasizing her strategic play over raw athleticism.
9. 26:00, Changes in Pro Pickleball from 2022 to Now
Reflections on how the professional landscape of pickleball has evolved, offering an insider's view on the sport's professionalization.
10. 29:45, Off-Court Training- Conquering Pull Ups
Anna talks about her commitment to fitness, particularly her pride in mastering pull-ups, an area not traditionally focused on by women in pickleball.
11. 32:20, The Girlies Inception
The story behind the creation of "The Girlies Pickleball Club," Anna's venture into community building within the sport.
12. 37:45, Mixed Partners?
Discussion on Anna's mixed doubles partnerships, exploring chemistry and strategy in choosing her male partners.
13. 41:11, Would Anna Leave Rachel for ALW?
A playful yet insightful conversation about loyalty, performance, and the dynamics of playing with top players like Anna Leigh Waters.
14. 44:10, What Makes Anna Leigh Waters So Good at Pickleball?
Anna breaks down the skills that make Anna Leigh Waters exceptional, providing an analysis from a competitor's perspective.
15. 49:50, What Rules Would You Change?
Critique on current pickleball rules and suggestions for changes from someone who lives the game daily.
16. 55:30, Up and Coming Pros
Anna's eye for talent, discussing players she believes will soon make waves in pickleball.
17. 58:50, Big Girl Purchase - Homeowner
A personal milestone as Anna discusses her recent home purchase, blending her professional success with personal growth.
18. 1:02:30, Goals
Looking forward, Anna shares her aspirations in pickleball and beyond, including personal and community-oriented goals.
19. 1:04:45, Proudest Moment
Anna reflects on what she's most proud of, offering a glimpse into her values and what success means to her.
20. 1:06:00, Should Anna Be the Next Bachelorette? 🌹// What She Looks For in a Guy👀
A light-hearted yet revealing segment where Anna discusses her recent single status, her approach to dating, and what she looks for in a partner.
This episode not only captures the essence of Anna Bright's journey but also encapsulates the spirit of a sport that's as much about community and personality as it is about athletic prowess. As pickleball continues to grow, figures like Anna are not just players; they're the heartbeats of a burgeoning sports culture.
- 0:00 Intro
- 1:10 Anna Cuts Her Own Hair??
- 4:40 Growing Up // Oldest of 3 Daughters, Chinese Immigrant Mother
- 6:30 Li Ping is Queen.
- 9:00 High School Valedictorian to Cal Berkeley tennis
- 14:30 Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail- 2600 Miles Solo?
- 20:15 Becoming Pickleball Obsessed
- 23:45 One-of-a-kind Competitor
- 26:00 Changes in Pro Pickleball from 2022 to Now
- 29:45 Off-Court Training- Conquering Pull Ups
- 32:20 The Girlies Inception
- 37:45 Mixed Partners?
- 41:11 Would Anna Leave Rachel for ALW?
- 44:10 What Makes Anna Leigh Waters So Good at Pickleball?
- 49:50 What Rules Would You Chang?
- 55:30 Up and Coming Pros
- 58:50 Big Girl Purchase - Homeowner
- 1:02:30 Goals
- 1:04:45 Proudest Moment
- 1:06:00 Should Anna Be the Next Bachelorette? 🌹// What She Looks For in a Guy👀
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