Most fitness plans fizzle out. Pickleball doesn’t. It’s easy to start, fun to play, and powerful for your health. As a Certified Level II Pickleball Coach, I’ll help you build strength, reduce stress, improve longevity, and find joy in moving again.
A fun way to move, play, and stay healthy.
Pickleball Coaching in Jacksonville, Florida
You want to get in shape. You even tell yourself, “I’d love to…but how? I’m tired. I’ve got no time. And honestly, working out isn’t fun.” After 40-50 hours of work each week, the last thing you want is to do anything with the word “work” in it.
But...even with sleep, you wake up dragging. The mirror isn’t kind. Stairs feel harder. Playing with your kids or grandkids wears you out. Outings? Forget it.
Most of us sign up for the gym, put the headphones on, and grind away on a treadmill because the doctor said we should. It feels more like punishment than joy. You get limited results and even less connection.
That missing piece, that sense of fun and community, is why most people fall off.
Is This Your Story?
Millions of people at every age and fitness level are discovering Pickleball for the first time. They’re finding joy again in movement. They’re finding community on and off the court. And yes, they’re seeing the health benefits too.
You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s huddle up and talk about what works best for your journey.
You’re not the only one.
“My friends love it, but I’m scared to try something new.”
“I don’t know how to play. It looks hard.”
“I’ll get in shape first…then maybe I’ll try.”
“Where would I even play? And with whom?”
“I don’t have the equipment or the time.”
“It looks too social, and I’m peopled out after work.”
You might be thinking, HMM… Pickleball??
You’ll get a couple of focused adjustments, the chance to practice until it clicks, and the encouragement to keep going. Most players discover the real competition isn’t across the net at all. It’s in their own head. Once that shifts, the whole game opens up.
Every session is designed around you.
Step by step, your confidence will grow until you notice the difference not just on the court but in the rest of your life. Wins and losses aren’t the measure. The real win is when you can say, “I feel better. I’m more confident. I’m having fun again.”
On the court, you’ll learn the game at your pace.
Pickleball gives you more than exercise. It brings back health, energy, and connection.
The goal is simple: keep you moving and keep you enjoying it. Coaching with me feels steady and personal, built on patience, encouragement, and progress that matters beyond the scoreboard.
Private and Group Options in Jacksonville, Florida
Introducing The POWER of Pickleball!
Rich, Coach and Club President, North Carolina
"I cannot express the admiration I have for Mark and his qualities with regard to how he handles his pickleball instruction. His passion for the games is evident and the students easily pick up on it. Mark’s demeanor on the court is always pleasant and with his sense of humor makes the lessons fun, but at the same time sets clear goals for his students."
You’ve got experience under your belt, and you’re chasing that edge. Coaching for advanced players pushes you toward peak performance with strength building and precision skills, deeper tactics, and the mental toughness needed for competition.
Advanced Players
You know the basics and you’re ready for more. Maybe you’ve hit a wall or want to sharpen your game. Coaching at this level is focused on refining your technique, improving strategy, and breaking through plateaus.
Intermediate Players
You’re curious but new to the game. Maybe you’ve never picked up a paddle. That’s okay. Coaching for beginners is about simple skills, steady encouragement, and learning in a way that feels fun.
Beginners
In Jacksonville, every player has a place on the court. Beginners, intermediates, or advanced, it doesn’t matter. The coaching meets your level and helps you grow from there.
From First Paddle to Tournament Play
Coaching with me is personal. The goal is simple: joy in the game, better health, and connections that carry beyond the court.
What’s Next. Before you leave, we’ll set the next date and make sure you know your next step forward. You will also receive a personal coach’s note prior to our next lesson.
Step 8:
Wrap Up & Homework. We’ll cool down, talk through what you learned, and set one or two things to practice before we meet again.
Step 7:
Practice & Feedback. You’ll run it a few times, ask questions, and I’ll give you direct feedback right there.
Step 6:
Demonstrate & Adjust. I’ll show you the skill, walk you through the adjustment, and then hand it back to you.
Step 5:
Talk It Through. We’ll huddle up, review what I saw, and agree on the focus for the day.
Step 4:
Observe in Play. I’ll watch you move and play. That’s where the real story shows up. Your strengths, your opportunities, and how you handle the flow of the game.
Step 3:
Warm Up & Safety. We’ll ease in with a quick warm-up and make sure the court feels safe for your body.
Step 2:
Before We Start. You’ll tell me what you want to work on. It might be your first time holding a paddle or a skill that’s been giving you trouble. I’ll shape the plan around you.
Step 1:
Every lesson has a rhythm. Clear enough to give you structure, flexible enough to fit what you need that day. The goal is simple: you get better, you enjoy it, and you leave wanting to play again.
How Pickleball Coaching Works
Martha, Florida
"He is an excellent and thorough instructor. In two sessions I have learned a lot and feel ready to start playing with beginners. I cannot wait to continue improving under his guidance."
Today, I bring that same mix of leadership experience, health coaching, and certified pickleball training to the court. I’ve watched beginners pick up a paddle and light up when they realize, “I can do this.” That spark never gets old.
My philosophy is simple. You’re not broken. You don’t need to be fixed. The game is a tool. The goal is joy in progress, confidence in yourself, and community on and off the court.
I believe we all have that potential inside.
For more than 30 years I led teams in healthcare, serving as President and CEO of a regional health system. I loved the mission, the people, and the challenge. But along the way my own balance slipped.
At 55 I made a shift. I turned my focus back to health, faith, and family. That’s when I became my own first coaching client and discovered the joy of Pickleball. It got me moving again, and my inner athlete came back to life!
Certified Life & Health Coach and Level II Pickleball Coach
Meet Your Pickleball Coach, Mark A. Sullivan
Bring three others for a one-hour coached game and skill assessment.
Coached Game · $20 per person
Learn together with a friend in a focused, one-hour session.
Lesson for Two · $45 per person
One-on-one coaching built around your goals on the pickleball court (one-hour session).
Private Lesson · $60
Never played before? Learn the basics in a fun, small group (3–6 players; one-hour session).
Intro Session · $30 per person
Pickleball is for everyone, and coaching should be easy to step into. Here are a few simple ways to get started:
Coaching Options & Pricing
Don’t have a full group? Team up with two others and I’ll join you on the court.
Three and Me · $35 per person
Video add-on and analysis, additional $15 per lesson.
Those same worries stop a lot of people before they ever pick up a paddle. But here’s the truth: you can do this. And you don’t have to do it alone.
We’ll go at your pace. You set the speed, based on keeping it safe for your body. We’ll work around your schedule. And if you’ve never played before, give me one hour, then decide. You might be surprised how quickly the game clicks.
That’s what the connection call is for. It’s a simple conversation to hear your goals, answer questions, and see if coaching is a fit for you. Just the chance to talk it through, one step at a time.
If you’ve been putting this off because you feel out of shape, short on time, or unsure if you can even learn the game, I get it. You’re not alone.
Your Next Step Starts Here
Gwen, Florida
"Mark incorporated his thorough knowledge of the game to a precise teaching level. It was easy to understand the execution of the drill. We all were able to apply his instruction into the clinic. I am now excited to further my skills and take a private lesson."
