Pickle with Mickle Interview Series : Craig Bobo’s Journey to Pickleball and The Importance of Mental Toughness in Sports

Summary

Craig Bobo joins Mickle on the virtual court for an interview. They discuss various topics including their technical difficulties, the weather in Austin and Houston, Craig's background in tennis, his writing experience, and his love for college football. They also talk about Craig's involvement in the National Pickleball League (NPL) and the success of his team, the Hammers. Craig shares his thoughts on the upcoming NPL event in Cincinnati and the challenges they may face. The conversation with Craig Bobo covered various topics, including the National Pickleball League (NPL), the growth of pickleball, and the importance of mental toughness in sports. Bobo praised the NPL and its progress from year one to year two, highlighting the expansion of teams and the opportunities it provides for players. He also discussed his own journey in pickleball, transitioning from tennis and the challenges he faced in adapting his game. Bobo emphasized the multi-generational and social aspects of pickleball that contribute to its rapid growth.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background
03:45 Transition from Tennis to Pickleball
06:43 Writing and Authoring
10:49 Personal Anecdotes
13:38 Mindset and Transitioning between Tennis and Pickleball
16:05 Craig Bobo: A Fan of College Football
29:50 Team Dynamics and Challenges in the NPL
30:29 Introduction to the National Pickleball League (NPL)
31:32 The Growth and Opportunities of NPL
33:34 The Importance of Identity and Adjustments in Pickleball
35:32 The Impact of NPL on the Pickleball Community
38:59 Pickleball: A Multi-Generational and Social Sport
46:24 Favorite Band: Bon Jovi and Charcoal Grills
46:49 Admiration for Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone