Jorja Johnson’s Mother Balances Parenting: Julie Johnson, mother, and coach to pickleball stars JW Johnson and Jorja Johnson, manages the tough balance of parenting and mentoring her children in America’s fastest-growing sport. Though challenging, she values the experience and finds it incredibly rewarding.
A New Role in Pickleball
Julie never expected to take on the role of coach when she first started playing pickleball. Initially, she played the sport to take a break from her kids, but now she finds herself deeply involved in their training and matches.
“I started playing pickleball to get away from my kids, and here I am, waiting on them hand and foot like nobody’s business,” she joked.
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Demands of Coaching
Coaching two rising pickleball stars is not an easy job. Julie has become highly skilled herself, watching countless matches and analyzing her children’s games. “I’ve watched more film and more live matches than you know,” she said. “There’s just a handful of us who have done as much as I have.” As a result, she became the primary coach for her kids, a role she took on out of necessity.
Despite the hard work, Julie finds the rewards worth it. “It’s exhausting, it’s exhilarating, it’s so much hard work to get there. And then once you’re there, it’s still more hard work,” she said. “But then when you’re sitting on center court on Sunday, you think, ‘This is all worth it.’ It’s the best feeling in the whole world.”
Balancing Parenthood and Pickleball
As a parent and coach, Julie is emotionally invested in every match. “I don’t even know I’m doing it,” she explained. “During a really exciting point, I’ll suddenly find myself with my leg stuck out and I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I don’t remember how I got there.’”
Despite her intense involvement, she also loves to watch pickleball matches when she’s not emotionally tied to the players.
Dynamics of Sibling Partners
Julie also oversees the dynamic of JW and Jorja playing mixed doubles together. While they often team up for tournaments, she believes it’s important for them to play with other partners as well.
“When you’re on these long stretches of tournaments and it’s just the same thing over and over, your mind goes into autopilot,” she said. Julie encouraged her kids to switch things up and play with other people, which they did with excitement.
Looking Ahead
Julie’s journey as a coach and mother shows how much dedication and hard work goes into supporting young athletes.
As JW and Jorja continue to grow in the sport, Julie will likely continue guiding them through the challenges of professional pickleball. Her hands-on approach will play a major role in their development as players.
News in Brief: Jorja Johnson’s Mother Balances Parenting
Julie Johnson, mother and coach of pickleball stars JW and Jorja, balances parenting and coaching while supporting their growth in the sport. Despite the challenges, she finds coaching rewarding and enjoys watching her kids play. Julie also emphasizes the importance of playing with different partners to avoid burnout.
ALSO READ: Inside the Johnson Legacy: Jorja’s Rise and Julie’s Role in Pickleball Success