15d • General discussion
From Rock Bottom to the Service Line:” Overcoming Parkinson’s” How Racquetball Saved My Life By Jk
My journey with racquetball began in Philadelphia, as a young boy following my father to the local courts. He taught me more than just a game; he taught me a language of movement and discipline. He used to say, "If you love what you do for work, it’s not work—it’s progress." It took me forty years and a harrowing journey through addiction and illness to truly understand what he meant.
The Sanctuary in South Florida
Years ago, I found myself in Delray Beach, Florida, living in a halfway house at Royal Recovery. I was clean, but I was fragile. Part of the program required me to be out of the house during the workday, but I wasn't yet permitted to hold a job. While many of my peers struggled with the void of empty time—and tragically, nearly two dozen lost their lives to relapses during that period—I found my sanctuary.
I was living just a stone's throw from a racquetball court. While others scattered, I retreated to the glass walls. I became a student of the game all over again. In the quiet of those courts, I found the "good quiet." I practiced until my lungs burned and my mind cleared.
One day, I noticed a man watching me from the cardio equipment. He was also in recovery, and I could see the spark of interest in his eyes. Eventually, he approached me and asked, "Do you have an extra racquet?" I did. Teaching him didn’t just help his game; it solidified my own recovery. I realized then that racquetball wasn't just a hobby—it was a lifeline.
A New Challenge: The Parkinson’s Pivot
Life eventually led me to Montreal, where I settled down with my wife’s family and worked as a property manager. But recently, life threw a new curveball: a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease.
The stress of a 9-to-5 job made my tremors unbearable. In our high-speed world, I found I could barely type; my left hand would jump across the keyboard, a constant reminder of a body I could no longer fully control. I felt lost, until one afternoon when I happened to have my gear with me at work.
During a particularly bad tremor episode, I picked up my racquet. The moment my hand closed around the grip, the shaking stopped. Whether it is the muscle memory, the focus, or a sign from a higher power, racquetball is the only place where the tremors subside. Even the act of squeezing the ball brings me a peace that medicine cannot replicate. It was a clear message: I was meant to be on the court.
JK’s Racquetball Academy: Purpose in Every Swing
I decided to stop fighting the 9-to-5 grind and start fighting for my passion. I have launched JK’s Racquetball Academy to share forty years of knowledge with those who feel "stuck" at their current level.
Most players spend 100% of their time playing games, but they never master the mechanics. An old mentor once told me you should practice 80% of the time and play 20%. That is the philosophy I bring to my coaching. At 50 years old, I’ve been told I move like "Yoda with a lightsaber"—short, perhaps a bit overweight, but precise and effective.
Why I Do This
This Academy isn't just about winning points; it’s about winning your life back.
• For the Recovery Community: I know the darkness you are fighting. I know the need for a healthy obsession to replace a deadly one.
• For the Hobbyist: I have the patience and the drills to take you from intermediate to advanced.
• For the Struggling: I offer a basic service to get you started, including weekly guidance and one-on-one virtual coaching and also offer 1 on 1 training while you’re on the court.
Racquetball demands that you eat well, stay clean, and stay sharp. It is the greatest game on Earth, and I have all the time and patience in the world to help you learn it.
If you are struggling, looking for a new passion, or ready to level up your game, I am here. Let’s make some progress together.
Godspeed, and see you on the court.
Jk
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From Rock Bottom to the Service Line:” Overcoming Parkinson’s” How Racquetball Saved My Life By Jk
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“40-year racquetball veteran helping beginners & intermediates improve skills, strategy, and love for the game at JK’s Racquetball Academy.”
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