S2EP17: Emma & Colton

S2EP17: Emma & Colton

Head to https://betterhelp.com/skinnysingles for 10% off your first month of therapy with our sponsor, BetterHelp. Make your mental health and growth a positive focus this year. This week on Skinny Singles, we're joined by two of Utah's rising pickleball stars, Colton and Emma! Representing different high schools in the Utah High School Pickleball Association, these two know what it's like to compete at the highest level. One is coming off a state championship, while the other came incredibly close, and both are making names for themselves well beyond high school by competing in adult leagues, moneyballs, Jr. MLP, tournaments, and more. We Talk about what it's like balancing school and competitive pickleball, representing their schools, playing alongside (and against) adults, competing in co-ed events, and where they hope the sport takes them next. From college pickleball and professional aspirations to leadership, teamwork, and the growth of junior pickleball, they share a perspective that's both refreshing and inspiring. And of course, we wrap things up with a rapid-fire round full of laughs, hot-takes, and a few questions that put their pickleball personalities on full display. Whether you're a junior player, a parent, or just love hearing from the next generation of athletes, this is an episode you wont want to miss!

S2EP16: Papa Willy & Chealsey

Head to https://betterhelp.com/skinnysingles for 10% off your first month of therapy with our sponsor, BetterHelp. Make your mental health and growth a positive focus this year. This week on Skinny Singles, we're welcoming a very special first-time guest...Destiny's dad (aka: Papa Willy)! He's joined by Destiny's sister, Chealsey, who's back for her second appearance on the podcast. Papa Willy shares what it's been like experiencing pickleball in three very different communities: Utah, Florida, and Ohio. We talk about the unique culture each area brings to the game, what makes pickleball so much more than just a sport, and why the people you meet along the way are often the best part. He also opens up about recovering from injuries, the frustration of being sidelined, and the intentional ways he stayed connected to the pickleball community even when he couldn't play on the court. His perspective is a great reminder that while injuries may keep you from playing, they don't have to keep you form belonging. Whether you're recovering from an injury, love hearing stories from pickleball communities across the country, or just enjoy a good family conversation, we hope you'll join us for this one!

S2EP15: Dausen Bills & Carson Wilkins

Head to https://betterhelp.com/skinnysingles for 10% off your first month of therapy with our sponsor, BetterHelp. Make your mental health and growth a positive focus this year. In this episode of Skinny Singles, we had a great conversation with local pickleball players Carson Wilkins and Dausen Bills about men's mental health, the challenges they've faced, and the role pickleball had played in their lives. June is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, and Carson and Dausen didn't hold back. We talked about the pressures men face, why its often difficult to ask for help, the importance of having a support system, and how connection, community, and purpose can make a difference. Of course, we also talked plenty of pickleball from competition and friendships to the unique way the sport brings people together both on and off the court. This episode is honest, relatable, and a reminder that strength isn't about carrying everything alone. Whether you're a pickleball player, someone navigating your own mental health journey, or simply looking to better understand the people around you, we hope this conversation resonates with you.

S2E14: Beyond the Court: Recovery Stories: Closing Part 2

Head to https://betterhelp.com/skinnysingles for 10% off your first month of therapy with our sponsor, BetterHelp. Make your mental health and growth a positive focus this year. In Part 2 of our Beyond the Court: Recovery Stories finale, Destiny takes the lead and shares her deeply personal journey with weight, identity, and self-worth. She opens up about how her struggles may have started at a young age, influenced by watching her mother navigate strict weight standards during military service. What began as well-intentioned support through dieting programs ultimately had lasting emotional effects that followed her through her teenage years and into adulthood. Destiny speaks candidly about how those early experiences shaped her relationship with food, body image, and confidence—and how those challenges still show up today. We’re also joined by her sister Chealsey, an aspiring actor in New York City, who provides additional perspective and context, sharing what she witnessed growing up and reflecting on her own experiences. Together, this conversation takes an in-depth look at how family dynamics, societal expectations, and pressure around weight can leave a lasting impact. It’s an honest, vulnerable discussion about self-image, healing, and the long road toward self-acceptance.

S2E13: Dr. Brandee Downes

Head to https://betterhelp.com/skinnysingles for 10% off your first month of therapy with our sponsor, BetterHelp. Make your mental health and growth a positive focus this year. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brandee Downes, PsyD—founder, lead practitioner, retired Military Master Sergeant, Police Sergeant, author, and passionate healer dedicated to helping people reconnect the mind, body, and spirit. With advanced degrees in Psychology, Clinical Psychology, and Marriage & Family Therapy, Dr. Downes brings a rare blend of real-world experience, clinical expertise, and spiritual insight to the mental health space. We dive into her military career, her experiences in law enforcement, and the moments in life that ultimately led her to pursue her doctorate and dedicate herself to helping others heal from trauma and grief. Dr. Downes also shares her work supporting first responders through advanced therapies like ART, EMDR, and Neurotherapy, while explaining how personal struggles throughout her own life helped shape her approach to healing and connection. This is a powerful conversation about service, trauma, resilience, mental health, and the importance of understanding that true healing goes beyond just the mind alone.