We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucah Folden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucah, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Above all, I‘ve found that having confidence in myself and believing that I will be successful is the most important factor behind my success itself. While of course, confidence can eb and flow, I can wholeheartedly say that there hasn’t been a day in my life where I let myself think I was going to be anything other than successful, largely because of my drive to work hard. What that specific success may look like changes as my goals change, but no matter what, having trust in my process has been so important. If you believe in who you are and what you are capable of, then it is likely that others will do the same and support you on your journey.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being a 2020 high school graduate shook my future in a way I could’ve never predicted or prepared for. Fortunately, it turns out it was for the better. What was going to probably be an average college soccer career has become an aspiring pro pickleball career – truly one of the best things to ever happen to me. After two college transfers in less than two years, a 40lb weight loss, a failed relationship, a fitness addiction, and three moves, I found myself living in Baja California, Mexico in January of 2023, all alone, at 20 years old. My 2.5 week trip for my first pickleball tournament turned into 4.5 months in a small beach town as I became obsessed with my potential in pickleball. There, I continued to learn about the value of taking risks, spontaneity, independency, speaking another language, friendship, being a role model, traveling, and believing in your journey. None of it has been easy, but that’s what makes it fun. In August, I played my first professional tournament, and realized I wanted to change my life by relocating from my hometown in Washington to Arizona to go all in in my training. I’m in my senior year at Washington State University, and have been in school throughout this whole adventure, thanks to my online campus. I’m definitely not where predicted myself to be a year ago – and I’m so grateful for the change. I’m both proud and excited to be actively pursuing my dreams, and hope to inspire others to do the same.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve only lived in Arizona/Scottsdale for 5 weeks, so my itinerary would probably be full of things I also want to check out! First thing’s first though – we would immediately hit the pickleball courts at Horizon park. If it’s my best friend, I know they’ve got to love to eat like me, so I’d take them to the Boozy Brunch Bar for brunch, Social Tap for happy hour and appetizers, and the Montauk for a dinner. As a couple young 20-somethings, there’s no way we’re missing out on the nightlife. Old Town would be on the agenda on the weekend to hit up Barstool, Boondocks, and Hi-Fi for a fun clubbing experience. For recovery, they’d hit the gym with me at EōS and we’d lounge by the pool, soaking up the sun us Washingtonians rarely see.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe so much of my success to my parents and grandparents. They have been the most supportive people in my life through every endeavor: every music recital, sports match, heartbreak, move, and change. My grandparents are the ones who introduced me to pickleball when I was five years old, and my parents put me in every extracurricular I was interested in as early as possible. My family has taught me the value of hard work, being healthy physically and mentally, being ambitious, and so much more. When you’re raised by healthy people who believe in you, it makes it so much easier to believe in yourself.

Website: https://linktr.ee/lucahf

Instagram: @lucah.pb @lucah.fit

Linkedin: Lucah Folden

Facebook: Lucah Folden

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