Serving Up Connection: A Conversation with Carolyn Leonard and Coach Suzanne Cox

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How Their Pickleball Stories Began

What began as a casual conversation quickly unfolded into a deeply personal and inspiring dialogue about their journeys into pickleball, their connection to RT.12, and the meaningful ways the sport has shaped their lives both on and off the court.

Meet Carolyn and Coach Suzanne

Though they’ve been playing for different lengths of time, their passion matches perfectly. Carolyn discovered pickleball just a year ago and instantly felt at home at RT.12. “I came here and never left,” she shared. “I love the facility. I love the environment Ben has created. I’ve made friends I’ll have for the rest of my life.”

Suzanne, who started playing five years ago, soon found her calling as a coach. “I love getting people excited about this game,” she said. “It’s the one addiction you can share and feel good about sharing.”

Why Pickleball Welcomes Everyone

For Suzanne, one of the sport’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. From seniors to players with neurodevelopmental challenges, the pickleball community finds ways to include everyone. She’s taught young adults with Down syndrome and autism, and older adults who rely more on strategy than speed—proof that there’s room for every kind of player.

Coaching from the Heart

Suzanne’s experience as a parent shaped her approach to coaching. With one child on the spectrum and another who grew up with physical limitations, she learned that progress looks different for everyone. Her “no excuses” attitude focuses on making the most of what each player can do—always with humor, empathy, and positivity.

Cues That Click

Throughout the conversation, one theme kept popping up: the power of easy-to-grasp teaching moments. Carolyn recalled a simple Frisbee analogy that helped her understand a tricky motion. Suzanne treasures those moments when players repeat back a funny cue and she knows it stuck. For both, the learning process feels playful, connected, and deeply rewarding.

The Community Difference

Pickleball, they agreed, stands out for its friendliness. “In so many sports, it’s insular—you stick to your team,” Suzanne said. “But pickleball players always say, ‘Come join us.’” The relationships built here go beyond games—into dinners, gatherings, and lifelong friendships that make the RT.12 community special.

Finding Strength on the Court

When asked about moments that revealed their inner strength, both shared powerful reflections. Suzanne helped organize a tournament for suicide prevention after a friend’s loss, turning grief into purpose through the sport they love. Carolyn spoke about how pickleball guided her through breast cancer recovery—mentally and physically. After surgery, she mentioned her doctors were baffled by how quickly she asked, “When can I play pickleball again?” “You can let it make you feel weak,” she said, “or you can say, ‘I can still play.’”

Healing That Happens Through Play

For many, pickleball is therapy with a paddle. The focus and pace demand full presence, helping players shake off the day’s worries. “It’s different from running or yoga,” Suzanne explained. “It demands immediacy—and that’s what makes it so healing.” The sport provides a two-hour window where life’s burdens lift just enough to breathe. Problems don’t vanish, but they lose some of their weight. Players return to daily life feeling a little lighter, a little clearer, and far more connected.

More Than Just a Game

Together, Carolyn and Suzanne show what RT.12 is all about: belonging, resilience, laughter, and growth. Pickleball may start as a fun hobby, but for so many here, it becomes something deeper—a community where everyone’s story matters.