From Stress Relief to Smash Hits: Coach Michael Nguyen’s Pickleball Journey

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For Michael Nguyen, pickleball began as something simple — a way to unwind after long workdays. He’d grown up playing racquet sports and kept that passion alive through college, but it was discovering the courts at Chauncy Lake that changed everything. “I played a tournament and I won in the tournament — and that was in just a three‑month time frame,” Michael recalled. “The coach who taught me, inspired me. That’s when I realized I really wanted to continue my journey and carry the torch.”

What started as a hobby quickly became a calling. Inspired by his own coach, Michael decided to get certified through the PPR program so he could help others the same way he’d been helped. “I told myself, ‘I’m not a 4.5+ player, but I can still help people,’” he said with a smile. When RT.12 Pickle finally expanded their coaching program, he jumped at the chance.

Finding Purpose Through Coaching

Even before officially earning his spot at RT.12, Michael had already begun teaching his wife, her friends, and their families. “I’ve been coaching for a little over a year now,” he said. It started small — just helping people in the community — “but once I saw their progress, I knew I wanted to do more.”

He also credits friends and doubles partners Chuck and Janet for motivating him along the way. “We’re good friends but also competitors,” he said. “We played three tournaments against each other. Chuck and Janet became coaches before me, and I thought, why not? If my friends can do it, I want to too.”

His Coaching Philosophy

Michael is unapologetically passionate about drilling. He believes that technique must come first: “If players don’t have good form from day one, they’ll develop bad habits that are hard to fix later. Drilling gives you repetition, consistency and muscle memory.”

To him, gameplay complements drills by bringing strategy, communication, and positioning to life. “During gameplay, that’s when we explain the ‘why’ — how to position, how to talk to your partner. Both are important — drilling and gameplay — they go hand in hand.”

Memorable Milestones

Michael’s pickleball adventures have already taken him far from home — and given him priceless memories. “I’ve been fortunate,” he shared. “I had a great coach, good friends, and found amazing partners to play with.” Over the last few years, he’s medaled in multiple tournaments, winning gold, silver, and bronze along the way.

One of his proudest moments was getting an invitation to travel to Dallas, Texas, to play in the Amateur Championship with his mixed doubles partner Marilyn, along with Chuck and Janet. “We didn’t win gold that time, but it was such a meaningful experience,” he said. “Then last year, we played in the U.S. Open in Florida — a lifetime experience. My wife was there, cheering me on like always. You even need to win a lottery just to enter, so I felt lucky just to be there.”

As a coach, though, nothing tops watching his students improve. “At the end of each session, seeing the smiles on their faces — that really means something to me,” Michael said.

The Evolving Player

Despite coming from a tennis background, Michael has evolved into a true pickleball technician. “When I first started, I used power and drives, but then experienced players would ‘kill me softly,’” he laughed. “Now I focus on the third shot drop — that’s my favorite. It’s not about power; it’s about touch, control, and setting up the dinking game.”

Watching professionals like Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters also fuels his inspiration. “At the U.S. Open, we were only about 20 feet from watching Anna play — that was incredible,” he said.

A Touch of Wisdom

“Be patient. Believe in yourself. Don’t give up,” he said. “Continue to develop, and don’t rush — when you’re ready, you’ll get there.”

After six months as part of the RT.12 family, Michael feels right at home. “I still work full‑time, but I make time to play and to coach here,” he said. “My goal is to keep myself active, be happy, and continue to grow — both as a player and as a coach.”