USPTA ADDvantage Magazine - March2024

Photo Credit: Brad Minns from the set of Never Give Up

FROM TO

TBrian Dillman USPTA CEO

wo months into my tenure as USPTA CEO, and I am so impressed with the quality of our professionals. Passion, energy, dedication and grit are some words I would use to describe a USPTA member. While many of us backed our way into a career in racquet sports, we are here and are the key drivers of our industry.

Toward the end of college, like many of us, I had no idea what I wanted my career to be. At one point, I thought I wanted to work in banking (ouch, no thanks).

Then I thought I wanted to be an advertising exec (not for me). I was very lucky as a senior in college at the University of Illinois that my mentor showed me a career that spoke to me. She laid out a plan for me as a tennis-teaching professional. I would teach 20-30 hours a week with a combination of privates, groups, teams and junior development. I would run tournaments, work in the pro shop and string racquets. The plan she showed me had earnings of $70,000 in 1990. Who could say no? I followed her guidance and became a tennis-teaching professional.

One of the best things about that role was the team of other professionals who were all in various stages of their careers, so I was able to watch them and learn from them to develop my own style. Along the way, I met the Wilson sales rep in the

Dallas area, Cynthia Shipper, who was my idol. I played with Wilson since day one, so throughout juniors, college and while teaching, Cynthia took great care of me and helped me develop a strong loyalty. It was only natural that when a job in sales opened at Wilson, I applied, and Cynthia gave me a very strong recommendation. The bad news: I was the second choice. The good news: the first-place candidate turned the job down.

So, after starting as a tennis professional, my career path evolved into the manufacturing side of the business. After being a sales rep in the south, I moved to Chicago and worked as an entry-level marketing associate, then led the team of pre-strung racquets, then moved to Munich, Germany, to run the racquet sports division in Europe. After that fouryear stint, I moved back to Chicago to run global marketing and became GM of the racquet sports division, which ultimately led me here to the USPTA!

I tell my story to illustrate one of more than 14,000 examples of where a career in racquet sports can take you. I hope you can also take from my journey how important relationships, mentorship and teamwork are. None of us can do this alone, and I believe we are always better together. Without someone taking me under her wing and showing me a plan and guiding me through it, who knows where I would be. Without developing relationships along the way, the doors of opportunity would

remain shut. Once I became a member of the USPTA, I instantly met another 20-30 professionals who shared the same experiences and passions as myself. Being part of the team/staff at Canyon Creek Country Club helped me develop my ethos of service and constant learning.

Our sport needs more certified professionals, a lot more. We need to tell our stories to the next generation to get them excited about the career potential in racquet sports. Things are so robust in our industry right now, we can guarantee employment! Let’s start the recruitment process now! I challenge you to visit your local high school tennis programs and tell your story.

We should consider third- and fourthyear student athletes, who might not be able to continue their playing careers. Becoming a racquet sports professional could be a great option. Racquet Sports professionals can come from anywhere (DI, DII, DIII, JUCO, etc. players) and when we can get them Safe Play approved, certified and in our mentorship program, we can show them a very rewarding and fulfilling career in the BEST industry on the planet. As leaders, we need to create outstanding work environments with balance, flexibility and opportunities for growth.

If each of us commits to telling our stories to 10-20 people this year, we will see the number of professionals increase dramatically. We are a catalyst for our sport. Let’s all commit to being a catalyst for recruiting new USPTA members through storytelling and mentorship.*

Jenny Gray USPTA Vice President

As we move into 2024 under the leadership of our new CEO, Brian Dillman, our focus continues to be to educate, elevate, energize and engage. As a national board member, it has been a privilege to travel across the country and talk to different USPTA professionals who share their stories of where tennis has taken them. As we focus on defining our culture, I thought it would be great insight into who we are by highlighting some of the accomplishments within our membership that reinforce these beliefs.

Amy Badger, a 22-year USPTA member and the past president of USPTA Southwest was named the 2022-2023 New Mexico State Tennis Coach of the Year by the National Federation of State High School Associations. She is the girls varsity tennis coach at Albuquerque Academy and has served as the varsity coach since 2000. In her tenure, she has led the team to an unprecedented seven State Championships. Badger also serves as the tournament director for twelve junior tournaments and runs multiple large adult charity events in the Albuquerque area.

“The USPTA has taught me how to be a professional. I always felt the need to give back to the sport that gave so much to me; including a scholarship to play tennis at the University of New Mexico,” Badger said. “If you love tennis, you want to share what you know and share your passion; that’s why I teach.”

Badger has also backed up this passion and unwavering belief of the USPTA in recent years by sponsoring eight USPTA applicants as well as paying their first year of dues.

“The USPTA taught me how to coach and how to teach with fabulous resources available. Continuing education and learning are powerful tools that never end. This belief is something I continue to share with all my students.”

EDUCATE ELEVATE

You might recognize Lisa PuglieseLaCroix from one of her presentations about adaptive tennis, as she has spoken at seven USPTA divisional conferences and three world conferences. Lisa is an 18-year

member of the USPTA and is the founder and CEO of Love Serving Autism, as well as the national chair for the USPTA Adaptive Tennis Taskforce.

“I started Love Serving Autism in January 2017 at the Palm Beach School for Autism. I worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist then and wanted to offer after-school therapeutic tennis programming to the school students. My vision was to connect what we were working on with communication and social skills in the classroom to the tennis court!” Pugliese-LaCroix said.

Through her dedication to neurodiverse players, tennis and the USPTA, she has helped to elevate our standards through educational opportunities and awareness as it pertains to neurodiverse players.

“It's exciting to see how the USPTA is recognizing the importance of inclusion for neurodiverse players and coaches in the racquet sports industry.”

ENERGIZE

In response to the devastating Lahaina fires on August 8, 2023, USPTA professional Cathy Nicoloff created the Support our Maui Tennis Professionals GoFundMe campaign. Through this campaign as well as private donations she was able to raise more than $57,000 for the eight USPTA members displaced from the fires. Nicoloff is a 37-year USPTA member who has been teaching tennis and pickleball in Maui since 1983. She saw firsthand the devastation and the impact of the fires on the community and jumped into action immediately.

“At that moment, there was no control. When things are out of my control, I need to do something productive. As I talked to local

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professionals, who are friends, I became the hub of information and support. I quickly realized they needed money for survival,” Nicoloff said. “I needed to help; this was my motivation.”

Nicoloff is known throughout the tennis industry for her positive outlook and her energetic personality both on and off the court.

“You must bring positive energy to get positive energy in return. I genuinely believe that for everything in life. You should be genuine and show you love what you are doing.”

ENGAGE

Three generations of USPTA professionals combined for more than one hundred years of service to the association. Their dedication and support of USPTA and tennis is inspiring. The family was led by Chuck Enge, a 55-year member, who founded A.C.T. Tennis Services, a tennis management company in Chicago in 1975. A.C.T. Tennis Services now provides tennis lessons, leagues and tournaments for 28 City Park & Recreation programs in three states. Chuck hired and mentored young professionals from Norway, Russia, Brazil and the U.S. for more than five decades. He was inducted into the Illinois High School Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame as well as the National High School Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame. Sadly, Chuck passed away on Jan. 6, 2024, leaving behind a remarkable legacy both to the tennis industry and through his family. His son Scott, a 35-year member, followed in his father’s footsteps into the tennis industry and now serves as President of A.C.T. Tennis Services with the chapter he opened in 1984

servicing Parks & Recreations programs in the greater Kansas City area. Arin Enge, a 12-year member, followed the career path of his father and his grandfather and grew up working for his family’s business. Arin serves as the director of tennis at the MVP Athletic Club in Holland, Mich.

“The USPTA has given the three of us careers that we love and an opportunity to impact the sport we love,” Scott Enge said. “It has also provided us an opportunity to meet other players and coaches in tennis, and we have made long term friendships.”

IN CLOSING

These personal stories are a microcosm of who we are as an association, but are a prime example of demonstrating WHO WE ARE!*

The Enge family is the epitome of engagement and commitment to USPTA.

FINDING IN AN AREA OF DISCOMFORT COMFORT

GJose Pastrello USPTA Master Professional

rowing up in Brazil and moving to the United States brought me a lot of life experiences. In the area where I grew up, a small town outside the city of São Paulo, tennis-teaching was not well established. It would not fit in as a professional career path in a traditional family mindset. It was a challenge to understand how someone could be a tennis-teaching professional while providing for one’s family and still finding fulfillment. But moving to the United States was an eye-opener in many ways, including looking into the tennis industry from a different perspective. I learned with time that becoming a teaching professional could provide the fulfillment I had been searching for, but it would take me getting out of my comfort zone to do so.

The area of discomfort started early, when I chose to become a teaching profes-

sional. Coming from the world of being a college player, I did not have to focus on anything but trying to make myself better. But when I chose to join the tennis teaching industry, things changed from focusing on self-improvement in an environment that I had a lot more control over, to self-improvement to be a better professional and make students better. Joining the teaching industry was a new challenge that would require many uncomfortable moments to find ways for growth personally and professionally at the same time. Joining the USPTA was the first step in finding that growth.

Going to conferences was a challenge, when I knew few people and had to push to network with many other professionals with many years in very successful clubs from different areas of the United States. But as challenging as it was to network, I felt the opportunity to connect with people would aid my growth. I knew I could learn a lot from other professionals who have worked in the United States or any other country. The networking piece of the tennis industry has been fascinating, as I learned much about different people and

tennis experiences. My cultural differences in background, experiences and beliefs led me to be involved in different committees within the USPTA to evaluate, share and suggest different points of view. Sharing different points of view can be challenging and is not always well received, but it leads to new ideas.

It has not always been an easy task to stay motivated and focused, but being able to self-evaluate and hear constructive criticism from different people is a huge part of the growth. Throughout the last 10 years, I have been fortunate to find several mentors who I now call friends. My ability to be open minded and know there is room for growth is what led to many of these mentors, who have advised me into discomfort often, even when I was afraid of it. Public speaking was never one of my favorite things to do, especially since I have an accent when talking, but there would not have been room for growth unless I started doing it, and it has become a good learning experience. It all started with webinars, in a safe environment with very little feedback, speaking in front of many professionals. There were moments when

I would have liked to have a second chance to be better at it, but these were also the moments that helped me the most.

At some point, one of my mentors recommended I start looking at the criteria to become a USPTA Master Professional. To be honest, I did not have the USPTA Master Professional designation as an objective, but I was open to learning more about it. When reviewing the file, I realized how labor intensive it would be, but I also found out a lot more about myself. I realized that even though I was under the impression I had done a good job staying out of my comfort zone, the criteria for USPTA Master Professional had many other areas I could still explore. I was convinced that I could use the USPTA Master Professional designation as a roadmap to

remaining in discomfort.

The process has been fun, but extensive. I noticed as much as I have worked on my education, I did not quite work on servicing the industry as much as I should. In the past years, I have focused a lot on giving back to the industry and it has been very rewarding.

But after USPTA Master Professional, what is next? I have challenged myself to continue to be open to criticism, finding more mentors who can help me to improve.

I must thank the pickleball industry, which has challenged tennis professionals to be better at what we do. There have been many different battles between tennis and pickleball, but there is space for both sports. Pickleball has forced us to

rethink our approach toward tennis and challenged us to create a more inclusive environment to bring more people onto the courts. Tennis is still the stronger sport out there, with millions more participants, but we need to embrace the benefits that pickleball has brought to us.

I would recommend the professionals in our industry challenge themselves to find areas for professional growth. There are a lot more things out there that will help us become better versions of ourselves. From pickleball, to Padel, to platform tennis, the momentum is in racquets. The professionals who are open to discomfort will be the ones to lead our industry.*

Sharing different points of view can be challenging and is not always well received, but it leads to new ideas.

MASTER

Brian Dillman

ON FINDING HIS “WHY

himself at a young age, when he grew up in northern Dallas, Texas, and started junior tennis at age 12 in a group that would bring forth Division I players, All-Americans and national champions.

Collin Brazan Public Relations Coordinator

It did not take USPTA CEO Brian Dillman long before he filled his office with black-marker notes on dry erase boards and posters. Each details his vision for defining the association’s future and observations on where the association has opportunities to grow.

“The remarkable thing about our association is our membership’s enthusiasm for our future,” Brian said. “People want us to succeed, they want us to be better for them and they want to know why they should be a part of us.”

From meeting with USPTA members, national staff and the USPTA Board of Directors, Brian’s early tenure has been filled with navigating that “why” and filling in the notes around his office.

“We were spoiled by beating up each other on court every day,” Brian said.

Brian then taught tennis during the summer and learned how to string racquets in his club’s pro shop before going on to play tennis at the University of Illinois.

“That’s where you learn how to get over bad days, bad matches and overcome the losses,” Brian said. “Even though it’s an individual sport, the team can lift or the team can sink together.”

Brian said sharing that time together as a team built a sense of community that followed him into his professional career.

“There are different backgrounds, different lifestyles and different family histories. Our common threads became

He spent his first year-and-a-half as a teaching professional, USTA umpire, tournament director and volunteer with USTA Dallas. He was heavily involved with the Dallas USPTA (and was a member of their softball team). Teaching and learning about the industry led Brian to an opportunity to work for Wilson Racquet Sports: in sales, then junior marketing, then international marketing (living in Germany) and eventually GM of the racquet sports division.

Before returning to the USPTA as CEO, Brian also worked for Cervelo Bicycles, Peter Millar, Rodd & Gunn and miha bodytec.

Brian said Michulka—an involved USPTA Elite Professional over the course of her career—has remained a shining example as he grew as a professional, and his early playing and teaching career continued to foster community.

“You’ll find those common threads all throughout our industry. You can walk into any tennis club or walk to any court and immediately have a conversation or relationship because you’ve got shared experiences and most likely shared friends.”

My calling is to raise the value of our profession and to build connections throughout our organization that change people's lives.

“It’s all about community and connections,” Brian said. “We are a network of roughly 14,000 people who have a baseline of common experiences and common beliefs. Our ‘why’ is to show people that they want to be with us because of our community.”

Brian discovered that community

shared beliefs and shared experiences,” Brian said.

Brian’s mentor, Nony Michulka, suggested a career as a tennis-teaching professional after his college career ended. Brian became a USPTA Elite Professional in 1991.

Brian’s priorities as USPTA CEO involve having the world’s best tennisteaching certification and education— his office-conquering notes detail as much—but the margins are packed with ideas on broadcasting and uplifting the stories of professionals who share so many commonalities.

“You get to choose where you want to get certified and who you want to be with. Our people, they’re our ‘why,’” Brian said. “My calling is to raise the value of our profession and to build connections throughout our organization that change people's lives.”*

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COMEBACK WILL SUCCEED

The way I look at it, Naomi Osaka is a singularly arresting tennis player, a champion through and through, and a woman who has thoroughly inspired tennis fans everywhere she performs on the planet. Osaka’s craftsmanship is exemplary, her firepower unassailable. She learned long ago how to bring out her best and summon something extra when it matters the most.

Coming into her comeback season in 2024— after being gone for 15 months and becoming a mother in July of 2023— Osaka was looking at life through a different lens. In her first tournament back at Bris-

Steve Flink International Tennis Hall of Fame

Photo Credit: Susan Mullane; Camerawork USA

bane, she was beaten in the second round by former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in a high quality three set match. That impressive performance in defeat— followed by a respectable showing in a first round loss at the Australian Open— gave Osaka encouragement that she could return to the upper echelons of her sport later this season.

Sports fans are frequently fickle, but seasoned observers remember that Osaka has repeatedly reaffirmed her greatness. Of her seven career WTA singles title runs heading into 2024, four took place at Grand Slam events.

Osaka’s breakthrough victory was at the 2018 U.S. Open when she took apart Serena Williams 6-2, 6-4 in the final. That contest lingered in the minds of many tennis enthusiasts because Williams was warned for receiving coaching signals and later was assessed point and game penalties for her conduct by veteran umpire Carlos Ramos.

due. It should have been a decidedly more celebratory occasion for Osaka than it actually was.

Be that as it may, Osaka recognized that she belonged among the elite. In her next major tournament, she was triumphant again at the 2019 Australian Open, ousting an unwavering Pliskova in the penultimate round before cutting down the dynamic left-hander Petra Kvitova in stirring three set confrontations to secure the crown. Osaka claimed her third major title and simultaneously a second U.S. Open crown in September of 2020, prevailing in a magnificent semifinal against countrywoman Jen Brady 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-3 before rallying tenaciously to overcome the accomplished Victoria Azarenka 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 with force and persuasion to rule in New York.

The last time Osaka peaked on a big occasion was in 2021 when she upended Serena Williams 6-3, 6-4 and Brady 6-4, 6-3 back to back to win her second Australian Open and fourth major championship. Osaka did not fare particularly well on

court thereafter for a variety of reasons, but she has recovered her optimism in recent months. It may take Osaka time to reach her zenith again, but she will surely get there soon enough.

Someone who essentially shares my viewpoint is Rennae Stubbs, a perceptive Australian who won four major titles in women’s doubles and two more in mixed doubles between 2000 and 2004. Stubbs has since distinguished herself as a leading coach for numerous top players and an outstanding commentator. She told me a few days prior to Osaka’s hard-fought 6-4, 7-6 (2) loss against Caroline Garcia at the 2024 Australian Open, “Once Naomi gets her match fitness back and gets a few wins under her belt, she will be very dangerous. When you are a winner of four majors you know how to win at the highest level. Her perspective will be very different now that she has a child. Your priorities change. You think about your child before yourself and what people say about you. This break was great for her. I believe she will be much

"SHE LEARNED LONG AGO HOW TO BRING OUT HER BEST AND SUMMON SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN IT MATTERS THE MOST."

Williams was in pursuit of a 24th major title and a tie for the women’s record with Margaret Court, but the depth and weight of Osaka’s shots from the backcourt was too much for Serena. To topple a six-time U.S. Open champion in her first major final was a defining moment for Osaka. But that scintillating victory was diminished in the eyes of some spectators who were unabashedly cheering on Serena and largely sympathetic to the American’s plight, while perhaps not giving Osaka her

happier on and off the court.”

At 26, Osaka’s best tennis is clearly not in her rear view mirror. Her hard court game is masterful in full flight. She is determined to improve on grass and clay. There is more tough work to be done. In the ultimate analysis, this much is certain: Naomi Osaka is a dazzling athlete, a strikingly potent shotmaker, and a player who realizes she will surely accomplish a whole lot more in the coming years.*

HOW BALANCED COMPRESSION REDUCES CUMULATIVE FATIGUE

HOW BALANCED COMPRESSION REDUCES CUMULATIVE FATIGUE

If you watch professional pickleball, you will notice a trend among many of the top players. They are wearing colorful Balanced Compression Tights. It’s not about fashion—it’s about improving the quality and longevity of their playing careers. Jay Devilliers, Meagan Fudge, Andrei Daescu, Callan Dawson and many others have found a key secret to improve their endurance, performance and recovery during the grueling professional pickleball tours.

From 2002 to 2018, I pioneered custom compression wear for the Los Angeles Lakers. During that period, the Lakers won five NBA titles. Working with legendary trainer Gary Vitti, I created the first prototype shooting compression sleeve for Kobe Bryant, protective compression shirts for Metta World Peace and Pau Gasol. I designed and manufactured compression shirts to hold tracking devices and heart rate monitors for several NBA teams.

In 2016 I was called in to talk with high-flyer Larry Nance Jr. and construct a special pair of tights that would help stabilize his hips and legs to protect him from his intense style of play. Using my Compression Tights, Larry loved the way he could push harder, feel fresher and recover stronger for the next day of training or game play. Soon, D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram and the entire 2016-2017 team wore them. That was the birth of the LEORÊVER Balanced Compression Tight.

Tennis and pickleball take a cumulative toll on your lower body. The sudden starting, stopping and change of direction

creates stress and fatigue. Muscles lose pliability and begin to pull on ligaments and tendons, providing the perfect storm

decreasing performance.

On the other hand, Balanced Compression, made from superior fabrics and thread, provides a supporting structure for your hips, glutes, quads and hamstrings. Soothing and comfortable, it improves blood circulation and pliability. This leads to greater endurance, improved performance and faster recovery. Improved pliability reduces strain on tendons and joints, helping alleviate stress on knees, hips and lower backs.

for injuries to occur. Strained hips lead to issues in your lower back and distortions in your physique as you age. Fatigue is cumulative. As you stack layer upon layer, your body loses its ability to recover. Adhesions build up within muscle tissue, creating stiffness and further restricting circulation. It’s a negative cycle that builds upon itself.

Most compression tights purchased at retail are flimsy and cosmetic, with very little support. Made with poor quality materials and thread, and using extremely cheap overseas labor, they quickly lose their structure and support after a few uses and fall apart. Also on the market are “recovery compression” products which are far too tight and uncomfortable—restricting movement, reducing circulation and

LEORÊVER Balanced Compression products have been battle tested in the NBA, NFL, MMA, professional tennis and professional pickleball. For professional athletes, Balanced Compression can extend a successful career and lead to vastly improved money-making opportunities. For the amateur athlete, Balanced Compression can lead to additional years of comfort and joy doing those activities you love.

We recommend full Ankle Tights or Calf Tights, which help soothe calf muscles and reduce the tightness leading into your knees and all through your lower body. However, many players opt for the Thigh Tights, which still offer full support for your hips, glutes and hamstrings.

Whichever length you choose, by reducing cumulative fatigue & wear-and-tear each day, your body can be in better condition to take on today’s opponent and wake up feeling better to take on tomorrow.*

Jonathan Oe is the Designer and CEO of LEORÊVER, manufacturer of Balanced Compression Wear based in Huntington Beach, California. Former uniform and compression wear specialist for the Los Angeles Lakers from 2002-2017, he was a vice president of aerobic leotard company Gilda Marx bodywear in the 1990’s.

Jonathan Oe Designer & CEO LEORÊVER

TRIUMPH AGAINST ADVERSITY:

THE

INSPIRING JOURNEY OF BRAD MINNS

The phrase "never give up" is as familiar a motivational slogan encouraging persistence and resilience in the face of challenges as any. It emphasizes the importance of staying determined and not surrendering to difficulties or setbacks. Many people find inspiration and motivation in this mindset, as it promotes a positive attitude and a belief in one's ability to overcome obstacles.

Brad Minns, a 24-year Certified Professional of the USPTA from our Florida division, has used this motto to overcome trials his entire life, including one of the greatest comebacks in sports history.

Spoiler Alert! Watch Brad’s movie “Never Give Up” before reading my article so I don’t ruin any details for you!

The comeback takes place at the 1985 Deaf World Games in Los Angeles, Calif. Brad was in the gold medal match against

Jim Stockwell, USPTA Director of Membership

Brad Minns with USPTA Hall of Famer Stan Smith

the reigning gold medalist, Jeff Osborne. Brad found himself down two sets and was facing match point at 0-5, Love – 40 in the third against Osborne. With Osborne only needing one point to win, Minns said a simple prayer.

“Help me, God.”

From there he began to rally, again and again, fighting against all odds. He won the more-than-five-hour match, and he took home the gold medal.

The truth is, Brad has been battling back against all odds since he was a child. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, and at age three he contracted a very high and almost deadly fever. The after-effects of the fever left him more than 80% deaf in both ears.

“This movie is really about and for my parents,” Brad said. “They could have sent me to an institution, which was the doctors’ recommendation at the time, but instead they went against medical advice, kept me at home, and taught me how to read lips.”

Brad was fitted with hearing aids so that—although they didn’t allow him to

NATIONAL BOARD OF

President.

First

hear words—he could gain assistance in hearing ambient sounds.

Brad fell in love with the game of tennis at a young age. At 15 years old, he took a trip to Hilton Head, S.C., where he met and got to hit with fellow USPTA member and Hall of Famer, Stan Smith. After hitting with Stan, Brad was inspired to pursue tennis even further. Stan would go on to become a mentor and role model to Brad, and even make an appearance in the movie of his life story.

Brad went on to be one of the top juniors in his age group and received a scholarship to play tennis at the University of Toledo. After college he went on to become the USA’s No. 1 deaf tennis player and win multiple championships. He helped the United States win its first ever Dresse Cup in 1995. He also taught tennis at the Stan Smith Tennis Academy. Brad has been involved in the tennis industry as a teaching professional for more than 30 years and is still teaching today.

Against all odds, Brad triumphed in

the face of adversity. Through unwavering determination, resilience and an indomitable spirit, he has defied the challenges that life presented. Fueled by an unyielding belief in himself and his dreams, Brad overcame obstacles that seemed insurmountable. His journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, illustrating that with grit and courage, one can emerge victorious even in the most challenging circumstances. Brad’s story serves as an inspiration to others, proving that the

human spirit is capable of conquering extraordinary challenges and achieving success against all odds.

To watch Brad’s inspirational movie and learn more about his amazing story, you can stream “Never Give Up,” written and directed by Rob Loos, on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Hoopla and Vudu. To learn more about the upcoming Summer Deaflympics in 2025, which will take place in Tokyo, Japan, visit https:// www.deaflympics2025.com/en/.*

Never Give Up movie poster

Brad Minns with his wife Ginny at the premiere of Never Give Up

Brad Minns with the actors who portrayed him in Never Give Up