Q&A: Kid ChAn on How Pickleball Changed His Life
Photo via: kidchan.com
From first swings to life lessons, one player’s journey on (and off) the court
When celebrity photographer Kid ChAn first picked up a pickleball paddle, he thought it might be a short-lived fling—a midlife crisis hobby. Instead, it sparked a whole new chapter of connection, community, and purpose. We sat down with Kid to hear how the game reshaped his life and why he believes pickleball can empower youth, strengthen mental health, and bring people together across cultures.
Open Play Post: How did you first get into pickleball?
Kid: Honestly, it started as a midlife crisis activity. I needed something different, something to shake me out of my routine. I’d spent decades behind the camera with A-list celebrities and billionaires. Exciting, sure—but exhausting. Pickleball gave me a way to move, to laugh, to just be present. It was supposed to stay small. It didn’t.
Open Play Post: What kept you coming back?
Kid: The mental health benefits were immediate. Pickleball is like therapy for me. On court, the noise of the world fades. I can focus on the game, connect with people, and let go of stress. That presence—being fully there—is something I didn’t know I was missing.
Open Play Post: You’ve gone from player to advocate. What made you shift gears?
Kid: Once I felt what pickleball could do for me, I wanted others to have that same experience. I started hosting events—some for lawmakers, some for charity—and saw how the game brought people together. It wasn’t about competition; it was about connection. That’s why I leaned into youth programs and community events. Pickleball is so accessible. It doesn’t matter your age, background, or fitness level—you belong on the court.
Open Play Post: Why is youth empowerment so important to you?
Kid: Because the confidence kids build through pickleball carries everywhere. When a child learns they can master a skill, be part of a team, or rally with an adult, it changes how they see themselves. It teaches resilience, focus, joy. That sticks.
Open Play Post: What about the bigger picture—pickleball in Asia?
Kid: Malaysia is really becoming the epicenter. The energy and excitement are incredible, and the potential for the sport to connect people across cultures here is limitless. Pickleball can be a bridge between communities that might never otherwise meet.
Open Play Post: And your favorite part of it all?
Kid: The community, without question. There’s a generosity here—a willingness to welcome and support—that feels rare these days. Whether it’s recreational players, kids learning for the first time, or high-profile athletes, on the court we’re all equals. That’s the beauty of pickleball.
Kid ChAn may have come to the game looking for an outlet, but what he found is something bigger: a movement built on joy, unity, and belonging.
