What happens when you survive the unimaginable? They say “life goes on,” but for those who’ve been through something traumatic, the question becomes, “how does it go on?”

A 21-year-old shooting survivor is using pickleball to answer that question. More on that below.

“Now, I can do more than just stand”

In 2023, a bullet passed through Ben Bliek’s brain, leaving him unable to walk, stand, or speak. Even after two weeks in the ICU, his recovery was slow.

But recognizing his athletic background and desire to regain mobility, Bliek's doctors introduced pickleball into his rehab program, identifying several advantages:

• It’s gentle on the body

• It’s effective for improving balance, coordination, and flexibility

• It’s social and encourages Ben to continue speaking

The sport also provided a sense of normalcy during his recovery, helping Bliek focus on fun rather than the challenges of his injury.

As he progressed, his mobility improved, and he became more independent, moving more freely and playing pickleball with increasing skill.

Ben’s next goals? Dunk a basketball and leg-press 450 pounds.

Do This Right Before Hitting the Court

BRING THIS TO THE COURT: We know you don’t stretch before playing. But you really, really should.

Here’s a 3-minute stretching routine you can do right before stepping onto the court. No more excuses!

Arm Circles & Shoulder Rolls (⏱️30 sec)

• Forward Circles (10 sec): Small to big circles, increasing range.

• Backward Circles (10 sec): Reverse direction, keeping motion controlled.

• Shoulder Rolls (10 sec): Roll shoulders forward and backward.

Torso Twists & Side Stretches (⏱️30 sec)

• Torso Twists (20 sec): Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, twist left and right in a controlled motion.

• Side Stretches (10 sec): Reach one arm overhead and stretch to the side, switching sides after 5 sec.

Leg Swings & Hamstring Reach (⏱️30 sec)

• Front-to-Back Leg Swings (10 sec per leg): Hold onto a fence or paddle for balance and swing one leg back and forth.

• Hamstring Reach (10 sec): Stand with feet hip-width apart, reach toward your toes with a slight bend in the knees.

Quad Stretch & Calf Raises (⏱️30 sec)

• Quad Stretch (10 sec per leg): Grab your ankle behind you and pull it toward your glutes while keeping your knee in line.

• Calf Raises (10 sec): Stand on your toes, raise up, hold briefly, and lower back down.

Wrist & Ankle Rotations (⏱️30 sec)

• Wrist Circles (15 sec): Rotate wrists in both directions to loosen them up.

• Ankle Circles (15 sec): Balance on one foot and rotate the ankle in each direction, then switch.

Play Better—for FREE.

Activate your game with AIM7's personalized dynamic warmups. Start fast, improve mobility, and prevent injuries before you step onto the court.

When the match ends, recover faster in less than 5 minutes with AIM7’s guided cooldowns—step-by-step routines to boost flexibility and keep you ready for your next win.

Plus, connect your wearables, track fitness stats like calories burned, and share your journey with friends—because every win deserves to be celebrated.

Download AIM7 today. It’s FREE (no credit card required) & ready to elevate your pickleball game.

Pickleball’s TV Era

Traditional TV is flailing in the age of streaming, but certain features are guaranteed to be watched in American homes: the American sitcom & The Super Bowl (and Super Bowl ads).

Naturally, pickleball was tapped for both this year:

The Neighborhood tackles pickleball’s noise epidemic in its two-part winter premiere episodes, “Welcome to Pickleball” and “Welcome to the Pickle,” airing January 29 and February 3.

📺️ Calvin Butler (Cedric the Entertainer) and his neighbor Dave (Max Greenfield) confront a noisy new pickleball-loving neighbors.

Meanwhile, Michelob ULTRA is bringing pickleball to Super Bowl LIX in a star-studded commercial.

🏈 Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe face off on the court alongside Olympian Ryan Crouser, WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, NFL legend Randy Moss, and prof pickleball players.

TAKE ACTION

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