Thank you so much for sharing this story! When I saw your post over on the introductions thread, I thought… I’m gonna like this gal! I’m so glad you shared your deeper pickleball story!
My story is quite different, but the one thing we have in common is how this incredible sport has reconnected us with people, and fitness, and progression.
I’m 39 years old and love how I can be playing with some 18-year-olds one minute, and then some of my 60 and 70-year-old friends another minute, and have just as good of a time!
Congrats on winning that first tournament!
When I started it with my buddy Dan, we signed up for The first tournament we found, and we were terrible! We would pick up about two or three points per game that we played. 
it got to the point where we would have a goal to score at least five points! 
and we were so proud when we did!
Since then I’ve been able to bring home a couple metals from other tournaments, but never a gold!
Anyway… I think your story is incredible and it’s so exciting that pickleball has been something that has brought you a new life! 