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Nicole ChristinaBringing Pickleball to Maximum Security Prisons

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1. Bringing Pickleball to Maximum Security Prisons Nicole Christina 44:19

Today’s subject checks all of the boxes I care about: helping those less fortunate, racket sports and finding purpose in our third chapter.

Roger BelAir was a successful businessman (and was even on the cover of Money Magazine!) who was an avid pickleball player. One night, the show 60 Minutes aired a segment on Chicago’s Cook County Jail. Roger noticed that many of the inmates were playing cards or watching TV. Being an avid pickleball player, he commented to his wife, “They should be playing pickleball. They’d not only get Exercise but learn valuable “life skills” like learning from mistakes and how to be a good teammate.” And so, “Pickleball in Prison(™)” was born. The success of his program in Chicago led Roger to prisons from coast to coast, from Rikers Island in New York to San Quentin in California. A documentary is currently in the works. Find out more at https://www.picleague.org/ .

Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com

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Nicole Christina Podcaster

Nicole Christina is the host of the multi-award winning Zestful Aging Podcast, an interview show heard in 103 countries. It's approaching its fifth year, with more than 300 interviews. She is also the author of “Not Just Chatting; How to Become a Master Podcast Interviewer”. Nicole’s guests are change makers from a variety of disciplines; filmmakers, writers, advocates, poets, musicians, scientists, athletes and entrepreneurs, many of whom are top experts in their fields. The Show has a humanitarian focus, and looks at the importance of leaving your own legacy. Leaving a legacy is a way of contributing to the common good, which has shown to have a significant impact on aging well.