"Be Your Own Joy Advocate” Shannon Diffenderffer, M.Ed.

To live joyfully, we must learn to be our own Joy Advocates: clear in our intentions, steady in our choices, and grounded in joy through every twist and turn life tosses our way. Shannon Diffenderffer shares testimonials and insights from her pickleball students—real-life examples of how joy can be discovered through play, connection, and intentional practice. With gentle encouragement and personal reflection, we are invited to stop waiting for joy to find us—and start creating it ourselves.

Shannon Diffenderffer, M.Ed., is the founder of Joy Crazy™, a joyful learning community built around pickleball, kindness, and connection. A certified IPTPA Pickleball Instructor with a Master’s in Adult Education from Michigan State University and a B.A. in Political Science from UC San Diego, Shannon began teaching pickleball after the COVID-19 pandemic and a medical condition changed her path from nursing to joy advocacy.

Born with microtia atresia—without a right ear and jaw development—Shannon has spent her life navigating the healthcare system. She’s undergone multiple surgeries, lived with undiagnosed ADHD for years, and experienced conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and sciatica. These challenges have deepened her empathy for her students, many of whom are learning new skills while managing their own health concerns.

Why pickleball? Pickleball is a sport that is fun, easy to learn, and naturally social. It brings people together across generations, backgrounds, and abilities. Shannon sees pickleball not just as a game, but as a powerful antidote to the loneliness epidemic—helping people laugh, move, and feel seen. You can find Shannon teaching Pickleball classes at PCC Community Education or through her Joy Crazy™ company at Friendly House.

Shannon believes that joy takes effort—but it’s absolutely worth it. Through Joy Crazy™, she creates experiences that brighten days, build community, and lift people up. Whether she’s coaching on the court, hosting events, or growing her online community for casual players and enthusiasts, Shannon encourages others to become their own joy advocates—one game, one connection, and one smile at a time.

First-Sunday Monthly Potluck after Service!

Multi-Platform Worship (both in-person & online)

Sunday at 10:30 AM

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Meeting ID:  275 194 110

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