Pickleball & Partnership: On Transformation, Growth & the Game of Becoming

Charlotte Jukes

Welcome to Pickleball & Partnership, the podcast about Transformation, Growth, and Becoming...both on the pickleball court and in life. I'm Charlotte—Registered Nurse of 37 years, now Life Coach, Podcast Host, and lifelong student of what it means to evolve. Each week, I share honest reflections on the messy, courageous work of personal growth: how we heal, pivot, release old identities, and step into more authentic versions of ourselves. The pickleball court is where I see everything clearly. My triggers. My patterns. My resistance to change. Every rally becomes a mirror—showing me where I'm gripping too tightly, where I need to trust more, where I'm still playing small. And what I learn on the court applies to everything off it! This podcast explores: Nervous system healing and regulationIdentity shifts and career transitionsRelationship dynamics and emotional patternsThe cost of transformation (and why it's worth it)How to go all in when you're terrifiedWhat it means to integrate who you were with who you're becomingThis isn't motivational fluff. It's real talk about growth...the kind that honours the grief, the discomfort, and the beauty of becoming. If you're navigating transition, doing inner work, or just trying to understand why change feels so hard — this podcast is for you. Hit subscribe and join me every week for stories, insights, and the lessons the court keeps teaching me about life.

  1. May 14

    The Sacred Journey of Grief: Love, Loss, and Presence

    Send us Fan Mail Charlotte reflects on the overwhelming response to a prior episode featuring a conversation with her mother, who died nearly 30 years ago, and explores grief as a profound expression of love rather than a problem to fix.  Charlotte shares her experience of losing her mum to renal cancer in 1996 at age 27, the disorientation and physical impact of grief, the pressure to support family, starting a new job, and learning she was pregnant days after her mum’s death, later experiencing postnatal depression amid many life changes.  She challenges common messages like “be strong” and “time heals,” explains that Kübler-Ross stages are non-linear, and emphasises that support can be simple presence without advice.  Using a pickleball analogy, Charlotte notes there’s no going back, only integrating change, and affirms there is no right way or timeline to grieve; joy and grief can coexist, and ongoing grief reflects enduring love and connection. 00:00 Welcome And Why Grief 02:54 Mum's Death Story 06:14 Funeral And Family Weight 08:37 Pregnancy Amid Loss 09:50 When Help Hurts 13:07 Remembering Her Love 14:42 What Grief Really Is 16:28 Stages Are Not Linear 19:42 Support Doesnt Need Perfect 20:48 Grief As Sacred Love 23:11 Pickleball Reset Lesson 25:27 No Right Way To Grieve 27:21 Love Continues After Death 29:28 Doorway Moments And Meaning 30:34 Closing Thanks Pickleball & Partnership Facebook Page Please jump on over and say "Hi" - I would love to hear from you... email: cejukes@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/conejukes https://www.facebook.com/groups/848118700833703 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pickleball-partnership/id1775742795 Get your FREE Top 10 Tips for Playing Pickleball with Your Partner subscribepage.io/Top-10-Tips-Partner-Pickleball Music: Purple Planet Music Thanks to Purple Planet Music for Pickleball & Partnership Intro and Outro music Purple Planet Music is a collection of music written and performed by Chris Martyn and Geoff Harvey.

    31 min
  2. May 5

    A Conversation With My Mum… What She Still Teaches Me About Love, Loss, and Becoming

    Send us Fan Mail Charlotte shares an unplanned, deeply personal episode of Pickleball and Partnership reflecting on her mother, who died in 1996 nearly 30 years ago, and the lasting feeling she associates with her—“soft, warm, and brown.”  She leads a quiet, connected conversation with her Mum about what she misunderstood when younger, including the complexity of love and her mother staying after betrayal, and explores how Charlotte still “hides in strength” instead of showing vulnerability in relationships. The conversation addresses the fear of outgrowing others, growth through discomfort, and making space for grief as “love that still has somewhere to go.”  Charlotte connects these lessons to pickleball—playing with joy rather than perfection—shares a treasured cross stitch and note from her Mum, reads “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” by Mary Elizabeth Fry, and invites listeners to reach out and have the conversations they’ve been longing for. 00:00 Unexpected Episode Shift 01:34 Remembering Mum’s Presence 02:58 Breath and Begin the Dialogue 03:16 Strength Softness and Staying 05:31 Hiding Behind Capability 07:56 Outgrowing and Becoming 09:50 Walk Through Discomfort 10:52 Play Joy and Pickleball Lessons 11:58 Making Space for Grief 13:46 You Are Doing More Than Okay 14:47 Cross Stitch and Lasting Love 15:55 Have the Conversation Now 17:02 Poem Do Not Stand at My Grave 18:07 Closing Thanks and Invitation Pickleball & Partnership Facebook Page Please jump on over and say "Hi" - I would love to hear from you... email: cejukes@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/conejukes https://www.facebook.com/groups/848118700833703 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pickleball-partnership/id1775742795 Get your FREE Top 10 Tips for Playing Pickleball with Your Partner subscribepage.io/Top-10-Tips-Partner-Pickleball Music: Purple Planet Music Thanks to Purple Planet Music for Pickleball & Partnership Intro and Outro music Purple Planet Music is a collection of music written and performed by Chris Martyn and Geoff Harvey.

    19 min
  3. Mar 31

    The Path to Transformation: Letting Go to Grow

    Send us Fan Mail Charlotte Jukes shares the uncomfortable cost of going all in on her podcast and new coaching work: the identity loss and grief of stepping away from nursing after 37 years. She describes how being a nurse provided instant respect, external validation, competence, certainty, and the comfort of being known, and how leaving forced her to become a beginner again, tolerate uncertainty, and release the need to be liked, understood, or agreed with.  Charlotte connects this to nervous system safety, explaining how the unfamiliar can trigger fear and resistance, like a pickleball player resisting a coach’s changes. She emphasises integrating—not discarding—past identities, offers a brief guided reflection on releasing and integrating, and reframes grief as a sign of real transformation, inviting listeners in transition to seek support and keep becoming. 00:00 All In Transformation 02:47 Leaving Nursing Identity 04:48 Losing Validation 05:39 Beginner Again 09:25 Becoming Unrecognized 11:17 Integrating Past Self 13:39 Podcast Vulnerability 14:49 Voice And Perfectionism 18:32 Pickleball Change Lesson 21:13 Nervous System And Grief 24:07 Six Things To Release 28:05 Guided Release Practice 31:09 Grief Means Growth 33:08 Loose Grip Metaphor 35:15 Closing And Support Pickleball & Partnership Facebook Page Please jump on over and say "Hi" - I would love to hear from you... email: cejukes@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/conejukes https://www.facebook.com/groups/848118700833703 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pickleball-partnership/id1775742795 Get your FREE Top 10 Tips for Playing Pickleball with Your Partner subscribepage.io/Top-10-Tips-Partner-Pickleball Music: Purple Planet Music Thanks to Purple Planet Music for Pickleball & Partnership Intro and Outro music Purple Planet Music is a collection of music written and performed by Chris Martyn and Geoff Harvey.

    37 min
  4. Feb 3

    Stop Dabbling: The Power of Consistent Commitment

    Send us Fan Mail In this milestone episode of 'Pickleball and Partnership,' Charlotte reflects on a year-long commitment to recording a podcast every week. Despite doubts, fears, and challenges, the journey reveals the power of consistent effort and how it can transform one's identity.  The episode delves into the universal principle that true change comes from going all in on one thing and explores how this commitment has not only grown the podcast but also improved relationships, business, and self-confidence.  Tune in to discover key takeaways on building consistency, handling criticism, and the importance of sustained action over sporadic effort. 00:00 The Promise: A Year of Commitment 01:33 Welcome to Pickleball and Partnership 02:25 Facing the Fear of Starting 06:30 The Power of Consistency 08:04 Overcoming Challenges and Doubts 10:02 The Transformation Through Commitment 13:43 The Science Behind Commitment 15:33 Choosing Your One Thing 18:39 The Magic of Consistency 21:55 Reflecting on the Journey 26:32 Key Takeaways Pickleball & Partnership Facebook Page Please jump on over and say "Hi" - I would love to hear from you... email: cejukes@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/conejukes https://www.facebook.com/groups/848118700833703 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pickleball-partnership/id1775742795 Get your FREE Top 10 Tips for Playing Pickleball with Your Partner subscribepage.io/Top-10-Tips-Partner-Pickleball Music: Purple Planet Music Thanks to Purple Planet Music for Pickleball & Partnership Intro and Outro music Purple Planet Music is a collection of music written and performed by Chris Martyn and Geoff Harvey.

    29 min
  5. Why You Can't Rest: Overcoming the Invisible Load and Nervous System Dysregulation

    Jan 27

    Why You Can't Rest: Overcoming the Invisible Load and Nervous System Dysregulation

    Send us Fan Mail Happy Happy 1st Birthday Pickleball & Partnership 🥳 🎉 In this episode of Pickleball in Partnership, host Charlotte Jukes delves into the often overlooked Invisible Load that many carry, which makes true rest feel unattainable. She explains how our nervous systems are conditioned to remain in a state of hypervigilance, which impacts our ability to truly relax. Charlotte shares personal anecdotes, the science behind nervous system states, and practical steps to signal to your body that it's safe to rest.  She also celebrates a year of the podcast and encourages listeners to prioritise self-care and rest for sustainable well-being. Follow along for actionable advice on how to rewire your nervous system for true relaxation. 00:00 Introduction: The Struggle with Rest 00:57 The Invisible Load: Why Rest Feels Impossible 04:42 Understanding Your Nervous System 05:48 Personal Story: Hypervigilance and Its Impact 07:22 The Importance of Resetting: Lessons from Pickleball 11:52 Practical Steps to Teach Your Body to Rest 18:10 The Necessity of Rest: Final Thoughts 20:11 Conclusion: Embracing Rest and Moving Forward Pickleball & Partnership Facebook Page Please jump on over and say "Hi" - I would love to hear from you... email: cejukes@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/conejukes https://www.facebook.com/groups/848118700833703 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pickleball-partnership/id1775742795 Get your FREE Top 10 Tips for Playing Pickleball with Your Partner subscribepage.io/Top-10-Tips-Partner-Pickleball Music: Purple Planet Music Thanks to Purple Planet Music for Pickleball & Partnership Intro and Outro music Purple Planet Music is a collection of music written and performed by Chris Martyn and Geoff Harvey.

    22 min
  6. Jan 21

    Ditch the Approval Game: Love Yourself Like a Pro

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Pickleball and Partnership, host Charlotte Jukes unpacks a common stumbling block: the desperate need for approval from others.  Charlotte explores the evolutionary basis of approval seeking, its modern-day pitfalls, and offers actionable insights on shifting focus from external validation to self-compassion.  Through practical examples and insightful anecdotes, listeners will learn how to genuinely appreciate others, practice self-compassion, and ultimately find freedom in liking themselves.  Key takeaways include understanding the neuroscience of approval seeking, the benefits of appreciating others, and concrete steps to develop a healthier relationship with oneself. 00:00 Introduction: The Approval Paradox 01:46 The Lie: We Need Others to Like Us 07:36 The Alternative: Liking Others to Feel Good 15:01 The Deeper Truth: Liking Yourself to Be Free 25:54 Practical Steps to Self-Compassion 28:17 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Pickleball & Partnership Facebook Page Please jump on over and say "Hi" - I would love to hear from you... email: cejukes@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/conejukes https://www.facebook.com/groups/848118700833703 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pickleball-partnership/id1775742795 Get your FREE Top 10 Tips for Playing Pickleball with Your Partner subscribepage.io/Top-10-Tips-Partner-Pickleball Music: Purple Planet Music Thanks to Purple Planet Music for Pickleball & Partnership Intro and Outro music Purple Planet Music is a collection of music written and performed by Chris Martyn and Geoff Harvey.

    31 min
  7. Jan 6

    Break Free from the Chains of Resolutions: Become Who You're Meant to Be

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the concept of identity-based change and how it trumps traditional resolutions that often set us up for failure. Starting with the excitement of a new day, we delve into why resolutions frequently fail and how focusing on who we want to become rather than what we want to achieve can lead to sustainable transformation.  Using powerful examples and metaphors like pickleball training, Charlotte Jukes emphasises the importance of small, consistent actions in rewiring our nervous system for lasting change.  Key takeaways include understanding that slip-ups are not failures but information, focusing on repetition over perfection, and setting intentions based on identity.  Whether you're feeling the weight of broken promises or just need a fresh approach, this episode offers actionable insights to help you become more of who you truly are. 00:00 A Fresh Start: Embracing New Beginnings 01:05 Understanding the Weight of Resolutions 02:24 The Broken System: Why Effort Isn't Enough 03:21 Introducing Identity-Based Change 05:25 The Power of Identity Over Resolutions 08:59 Practical Steps for Lasting Change 18:41 Visualization and Setting Intentions 24:27 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts Pickleball & Partnership Facebook Page Please jump on over and say "Hi" - I would love to hear from you... email: cejukes@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/conejukes https://www.facebook.com/groups/848118700833703 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pickleball-partnership/id1775742795 Get your FREE Top 10 Tips for Playing Pickleball with Your Partner subscribepage.io/Top-10-Tips-Partner-Pickleball Music: Purple Planet Music Thanks to Purple Planet Music for Pickleball & Partnership Intro and Outro music Purple Planet Music is a collection of music written and performed by Chris Martyn and Geoff Harvey.

    26 min
  8. 12/19/2025

    "Finding Peace: Grounding Meditation for Holiday Stress Relief"

    Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Pickleball and Partnership, host Charlotte Jukes offers a guided meditation to help listeners manage the unique mix of joy and stress that comes with the holiday season.  Charlotte acknowledges the challenges of family dynamics, travel, and global events, providing listeners with a grounding meditation practice to support nervous system regulation.  Anchoring the session are five practical tips for maintaining calm and balance, making this episode a timely resource for anyone feeling overwhelmed. Tune in for a soothing experience that teaches how small moments of self-kindness and presence can make a big difference. 00:00 Introduction to a Special Episode 00:08 Setting the Scene: Embracing the Season 01:00 Guided Meditation: Finding Your Centre 03:30 Body Awareness and Relaxation Techniques 06:47 Emotional Acceptance and Regulation 11:09 Practical Tips for Nervous System Support 12:42 Closing Thoughts and Connection Watch more 8-minute meditations here... https://www.youtube.com/@ConnectionCoachingCommunity Pickleball & Partnership Facebook Page Please jump on over and say "Hi" - I would love to hear from you... email: cejukes@gmail.com  https://www.facebook.com/conejukes https://www.facebook.com/groups/848118700833703 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pickleball-partnership/id1775742795 Get your FREE Top 10 Tips for Playing Pickleball with Your Partner subscribepage.io/Top-10-Tips-Partner-Pickleball Music: Purple Planet Music Thanks to Purple Planet Music for Pickleball & Partnership Intro and Outro music Purple Planet Music is a collection of music written and performed by Chris Martyn and Geoff Harvey.

    14 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to Pickleball & Partnership, the podcast about Transformation, Growth, and Becoming...both on the pickleball court and in life. I'm Charlotte—Registered Nurse of 37 years, now Life Coach, Podcast Host, and lifelong student of what it means to evolve. Each week, I share honest reflections on the messy, courageous work of personal growth: how we heal, pivot, release old identities, and step into more authentic versions of ourselves. The pickleball court is where I see everything clearly. My triggers. My patterns. My resistance to change. Every rally becomes a mirror—showing me where I'm gripping too tightly, where I need to trust more, where I'm still playing small. And what I learn on the court applies to everything off it! This podcast explores: Nervous system healing and regulationIdentity shifts and career transitionsRelationship dynamics and emotional patternsThe cost of transformation (and why it's worth it)How to go all in when you're terrifiedWhat it means to integrate who you were with who you're becomingThis isn't motivational fluff. It's real talk about growth...the kind that honours the grief, the discomfort, and the beauty of becoming. If you're navigating transition, doing inner work, or just trying to understand why change feels so hard — this podcast is for you. Hit subscribe and join me every week for stories, insights, and the lessons the court keeps teaching me about life.

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