From crutches to court, how I staged my comeback with PickleBall.
Meet Diane DeSantis
Aloha. I am the founder of GameOn Pickleball and GameON Longevity Coaching. I believe in every person’s inherent right to exercise, socialize, and Live Life to its fullest… without injury or age-related problems.
June 2021 after my third Total Knee Replacement surgery. 5 TKA (Total Knee Replacement) surgeries in <30 mths.
I GOT A GLIMPSE OF MY FUTURE ~ AND DIDN’T LIKE IT ONE BIT!
Today Diane remains out of Doctors’ offices by following Longevity Science specialists like Peter Attia, Peter Diamandis, Andrew Huberman, and many more. She uses professional playing techniques learned through PPR, along with monitoring sleep, optimizing mitochondrial and metabolic health, efficient stressless exercise, and eating right. She plays Pickleball on public and private courts on Oahu, plays tennis at Kailua Racquet Club, Beach Tennis, and various other fun activities. And.. plays Padel and Pickleball in Sicily, Italy!
In 2022-2023 Diane was fortunate to train with top PPR coaches in Oahu, Arizona, and California. She received additional Community Development Program Training with Jason W. Jamison, Exec Dir, Covering the Court, LLC. This inspired Diane to grow the sport of Pickleball for various community needs on Oahu.
Members of PTR Italia: David Botti, Adrian Nitu, Peda Annuziato
My Story
After decades of a highly competitive, active lifestyle I found myself immobile for the most part of 3 years, often incapable of standing, let alone walking, biking, or running. Repeated surgeries and painful recoveries were horrific.
But the WORST was the relentless voice in my head:
“HOW DID I GET HERE?”
And
“OMG, THIS IS HOW OUR AGING POPULATION FEELS.”
I experienced being housebound, loss of social interaction, loss of physical activity, and loss of self-care ability (unable to shop, prep meals, bathe, houseclean, etc.) And… endless medical appointments and endless physical and emotional Pain.
Ben Johns on Margaritaville Championship Court
What I Aim To Do
I found my way back to Purpose, Joy, Socializing, and Fun with resiliency, research, and training certifications through the International Coaching Foundation (ICF) + the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), for both Longevity Studies as well as Pickleball coaching.
I abide by ICF’s + PPR's stringent certification processes, as well as adhere to their Code of Ethics.