Rising Stars: Meet Shawn Paul

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shawn Paul.

Hi Shawn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have been down many many roads in my life time. Some positive and some negative but everything played a part on getting me to where I am today. I have been doing photography and promotions for quite some time now. Since about 2003. In 2015 I was passing through Jackson Ohio on business and the local YMCA was right across the street from my hotel. They had tennis courts outside. I love playing tennis but no matter when I went there, I couldn’t find anyone to play. I went in to work out and I met this guy Pat. He ran the pickleball program at the YMCA. he kept telling me that if I’m a tennis player I should try pickleball. I have never heard of this game before and it sounded so dumb. Lol!!! I kept telling him no. Finally, a few months pass, and I gave in. I finally said “ok, show me this pickleball thing.” Lol!! He took me in and introduced me to his group and handed me this wooden paddle. He started going over the rules and dynamics of the game. Being a tennis player originally I had a big advantage over someone who had never played a racquet sport before, but the strategies in this were definitely different than tennis. I would always stand at the baseline and just drill the ball. Pat would always yell at me “Move Up!” Lol!!! Right away I fell in love with this game. Everyday while we were playing he would always have to yell “Move up, Move up!” Lol!!! This went on for a few months. In 2017 I won my first pickleball tournament and I sent him the medal. In the 90’s I was a fighter in Baltimore Maryland and I gave my Sifu/coach my first trophy. I did that because without him I would have never gotten to where I was. It was the same with Pat. If it wasn’t for him I would not have found this amazing sport. He deserved that medal for pushing me to move up. Now about 7 years later I’m close to a 4.0 player and traveling around the United States meeting and playing with different groups helping others the way Pat helped me. He didn’t just teach me how to play pickleball, he taught me that there is a part of the world that is compassionate and helpful towards others. I grew up in Baltimore dealing with violence and fighting a lot even outside of the ring so I wasn’t use to see this. Before we parted ways, he told me something that I will never forget. He said “Shawn, your gonna meet some great people while playing this sport,” I gotta say, he was absolutely right. I never knew that people like these pickleballers really existed.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. The road to get here was definitely not smooth. I have been through so many challenging life challenging obstacles. I often think about some of them because I wonder if any of them would had ended differently in any way would I still be the same person I am today? Would I be better or worse. For instance, I was homeless for awhile. A lot of people don’t know that. Not because of drugs or alcohol but because of bad decisions and a bit of depression. That’s something that I don’t discuss with anyone. Anyway, as a homeless person I met all kinds of different people and everyone had unique stories of why they were in this situation. I met families, single moms, single dads living on the street. I met some who were pretty much ok with where they were and just wanted to play the system. Meaning they had no ambitions of getting away from that life and I met those who just simply gave up on life. I was not gonna end up like any of them and definitely not gonna stand on a corner with a sign… Hell no! I had some friends and some family that knew about my situation and helped me with certain things like money for food, money for cell phone minutes and a place to sleep and shower every so often. They would have given more but I had to figure out how to get out of this myself. All of that help was and is still greatly appreciated but ultimately it was me who had to fight my way out of that life. So I did. The point I was getting at is If I hadn’t gone through that would I be the man I am today or Would I be a better or a worse person? Even though that was a bad part of my life I think it was good for me to see that side of life because it definitely makes me appreciate what I have even more. Now I’m a homeowner, have a beautiful supportive wife even tho at times she gives me a hard time about how much I play pickleball. Lol!!! Maybe one day she’ll come over to the dark side. Lmao!!! Thing is I’ll never forget where I came from and what I’ve been through. So many others do. I even find that it the pickleball world that’s why it’s so important for me to make sure everyone has a great fun playing experience with me.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work? Well, my photography and promotions business is very small but I use it to promote pickleball and help the sport grow. I have done photography for pickleball, volleyball, skateboarding and even for aspiring models. I have also done photography and promotion events for bars and nightclubs and even Harley Davidson motorcycles. I’m still looking to upgrade my portfolio so if anyone out there wants to shoot let me know.

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
How can they support me? I think that SP fans and pickleball community already does a great job in supporting me. They purchase and wear clothing with my name on it, they host me in their homes, feed me, welcome me into their groups when I travel. I feel like a celebrity at times. Like I said in the beginning, I never knew that people like these pickleballers really existed. They have been supporting me ever since my pickleball teacher Pat sent me out into the world. How can they support me you ask? They’ve been supporting me all along. I think the question should be how much more can I support? them. I cant wait for my next adventure. Where will it be. 🤔

Contact Info:

• Email: sppickleballer@yahoo.com
• Instagram: @sppickleballer
• Facebook: Shawn Paul Sports adventures

Image Credits
Natasha vollendorf