Life Lessons from Pickleball™
Life Lessons from Pickleball™
Shelley Maurer and Sher Emerick
E77: Riley “Smiley Riley” Palmer: The Floating Court That Went Viral
38 minutes Posted Oct 14, 2025 at 7:00 am.
Welcome, Brace, and Guest Intro
Pickleball After Divorce: Finding Healing
The Love Story: From Classmates to Partners
Becoming a Coach and Entrepreneur
Croatia Connections and Early Events
The Floating Court Idea Takes Shape
First Plays, Safety, and Real-World Tests
Gen 3 Design: What’s Improved
How It Plays on Water vs Land
Virality, Demand, and Business Model
Logistics, Permits, and Noise Benefits
Global Interest and Build Quality
Life Lessons from the Court
Where to Play, Book, and What’s Next
Links, Trips, and Closing Thanks
Follow, Subscribe, and Stay Connected
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How can pickleball help heal heartbreak, spark new love, and even inspire a floating court in the middle of the water? In this episode, Riley Palmer, better known as Smiley Riley, shares her incredible pickleball journey from rebuilding her life after divorce to becoming a coach, mentor, USA Pickleball ambassador, and entrepreneur with a passion for growing the game. Riley opens up about how pickleball helped her heal, refocus, and rediscover herself, and how the court became a place of joy, ...