Aging is inevitable, and for many, it signals the beginning of a new chapter - one where you cross off bucket list items and live life to the fullest, on your own terms. However, for some men, aging is a horrible prospect, filled with chronic fatigue, irritability, and inability to perform in the bedroom. If you're concerned about life in middle age and beyond, we've got great news: there are easy, proven steps that you can take to help stop the negative effect of aging.
Global Life Rejuvenation was founded to give men a new lease on life - one that includes less body fat, fewer mood swings, and more energy as you age. If you're ready to look and feel younger, it's time to consider TRT (testosterone replacement therapy), and growth hormone peptides. These therapies for men are effective, safe, and customized to fit your goals, so you can keep loving life as you get older.
TRT, and growth hormone peptide therapies bridge the gap between your old life and the more vibrant, happier version of you. With a simple click or call, you can be well on your way to a brighter future. After all, you deserve to be the one in charge of your wellness and health. Now, you have the tools to do so - backed by science and applied by our team of TRT and HRT experts with more than 13 years of experience.
For men, getting older comes with its perks, like living life on their own terms and not having to "sweat the small stuff" day in and day out. At the same time, there are aspects of aging that men dread, like hormonal changes. Yes, you read that right – men, not just women, go through hormonal changes as they age. For men, the biggest change involves a drop in testosterone.
Lower levels of testosterone can wreak havoc on a male's mind and body and when left untreated, can result in symptoms like:
Those symptoms are concerning, but with testosterone replacement therapy and anti-aging medicine, many males improve their quality of life with age. The good news is that TRT and anti-aging meds aren't only reserved for "old guys." In fact, there's no magic age at which men should start thinking about hormone replacement therapy. Everyone's body is different, so if you're experiencing the above conditions in your mid-30s, TRT could be a viable solution when you consult with a doctor.
Testosterone is a crucial hormone for men and plays an important role throughout the male lifespan. Most of a male's testosterone is produced through the testicles. Also called the male sex hormone, testosterone starts playing its part during puberty.
When a male goes through puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
As boys turn to men and men grow older, testosterone levels deplete naturally. Sometimes, events like injuries and chronic health conditions like diabetes can lower testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much T, it results in hypogonadism. When this happens, the testosterone must be replaced, or the male will suffer from symptoms like muscle loss, low libido, and even depression.
TRT is exactly what it sounds like: a treatment option for men that replaces testosterone so that your body regulates hormones properly and restores balance to your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates the symptoms that men experience with low T.
Originally lab-synthesized in 1935, testosterone has grown in popularity since it was produced. Today, TRT and other testosterone treatments are among the most popular prescriptions in the U.S.
Without getting too deep into the science, TRT works by giving your body the essential testosterone it needs to function correctly. As the primary androgen for both males and females, testosterone impacts many of the body's natural processes – especially those needed for overall health. For example, men with low T are more prone to serious problems like cardiovascular disease and even type-2 diabetes.
When your body quits making enough testosterone, it causes your health to suffer until a solution is presented. That's where TRT and anti-aging medicine for men can help. TRT helps balance your hormones and replenish your depleted testosterone. With time, your body will begin to heal, and many symptoms like low libido and irritability begin to diminish.
For men, aging is the biggest contributor to lower testosterone levels, though there are other causes like obesity, drug abuse, testicular injuries, and certain prescribed medications. Sometimes, long-term health conditions like AIDS, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease can lower testosterone levels.
When a man's testosterone levels drop significantly, it alters his body's ratio of estrogen and testosterone. Lower testosterone levels cause more abdominal fat, which in turn results in increased aromatase, which converts even more testosterone into estrogen.
If you're concerned that you might have low T, you're not alone. Millions of men in the U.S. feel the same way. The best way to find out if your testosterone is low is to get your levels tested.
For sustainable testosterone replacement therapy benefits, you must consult with hormone doctors and experts like those you can find at Global Life Rejuvenation. That way, you can find the root cause of your hormone problems, and our team can craft a personalized HRT plan tailored to your needs.
Are you used to blasting through a productive day and accomplishing all your daily goals? Do you find yourself losing muscle mass and the craving to be intimate with your partner? Does your partner complain about how irritable you have become? If you're not usually a curmudgeon, your body could be giving you a sign. It could be time to speak with a doctor about TRT and anti-aging medicine for men in Durham, NC.
If you're experiencing any of the following symptoms, you might be battling against low testosterone:
One of the most common reasons that men choose TRT is because they have lost that "spark" with their partner. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not performing like they used to. Intimacy is a powerful part of any relationship. When a once-healthy sex life dwindles, it can cause serious relationship issues.
The good news is that low libido doesn't have to be a permanent problem. TRT and anti-aging medicines help revert hormone levels back into their normal range. When this happens, many men have a more enjoyable life full of intimacy and sex drive.
Weak erections – it's an uncomfortable subject for many men in the U.S. to talk about. It's even worse to experience first-hand. You're in the midst of an intimate moment, and you can't do your part. Despite being perfectly normal, many men put blame and shame upon themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while the inability to perform sexually can be caused by poor diet, obesity, and chronic health conditions, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, weak erections are a treatable condition. The best way to regain your confidence and ability in bed is to speak with your doctor. Once any underlying conditions are discovered, options like TRT may be the best course of treatment.
Hair Loss
Do you find it harder and harder to work out and lift weights in the gym? Are you having problems lifting heavy items that you once had no problem lifting?
Recent studies show that when men are inactive, they lose .5% of muscle strength every year, from ages 25 to 60. After 60, muscle loss doubles every decade. While some muscle loss is common as men age, a significant portion can be tied to low testosterone levels. When a man's T levels drop, so does his muscle mass.
Testosterone is a much-needed component used in gaining and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors prescribe TRT Durham, NC, for men having problems with strength. One recent study found that men who increased their testosterone levels using TRT gained as much as 2.5 pounds of muscle mass.
Whether your gym performance is lacking, or you can't lift heavy items like you used to, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
If you're like millions of other men in their late 20s and 30s, dealing with hair loss is a reality you don't want to face. Closely related to testosterone decline and hormone imbalances, hair loss is distressing for many men. This common symptom is often related to a derivative of testosterone called DHT. Excess amounts of DHT cause hair follicles to halt their production, causing follicles to die.
Because hair located at the front and crown is more sensitive to DHT, it grows slower than other follicles and eventually stops growing permanently. Thankfully, TRT and anti-aging treatments for men in Durham, NC, is now available to address hair loss for good.
While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone on your body. Whether you're suffering from thinning hair or hair loss across your entire head, TRT and other hormone therapies can stop hair loss and even reverse the process.
Also called "man boobs," gynecomastia is essentially the enlargement of male breast tissue. This increase in fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances and an increase in estrogen. For men, estrogen levels are elevated during andropause. Also called male menopause, andropause usually happens because of a lack of testosterone.
If you're a man between the ages of 40 and 55, and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
Decreased energy was once considered a normal part of aging. Today, many doctors know better. Advances in technology and our understanding of testosterone show that low T and lack of energy often go hand-in-hand.
If you're struggling to enjoy activities like playing with your kids or hiking in a park due to lack of energy, it could be a sign of low T. Of course, getting tired is perfectly normal for any man. But if you're suffering from continual fatigue, a lack of enjoyment, or a decrease in energy, it might be time to speak with a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish activities you used to love, TRT could help.
A study from 2011 showed that men who lose a week's worth of sleep can experience lowered testosterone levels – as much as 15%, according to experts. Additional research into the topic found almost 15% of workers only get five hours of sleep (or less) per night. These findings suggest that sleep loss negatively impacts T levels and wellbeing.
The bottom line is that men who have trouble sleeping often suffer from lower testosterone levels as a result. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, you might have low T.
TRT and anti-aging medicines can restore your T levels back to normal, which can help you sleep better with proper diet and exercise.
You're feeling down about everything, and there's no solid explanation for why you're in such a crummy mood. Your daily life is great and full of success, but you can't help but feel unexcited and unmotivated. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed – and it may stem from low testosterone.
A research study from Munich found that men with depression also commonly had low testosterone levels. This same study also found that depressed men had cortisol levels that were 67% higher than other men. Because higher cortisol levels lead to lower levels of testosterone, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option gaining in popularity is TRT for depression. Studies show that when TRT is used to restore hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more improved mood. That's great news for men who are depressed and have not had success with other treatments like anti-depression medicines, which alter the brain's chemistry.
Ask anyone over the age of 50 how their memory is, and they'll tell you it wasn't what it used to be. Memory loss and lack of concentration occur naturally as we age – these aren't always signs of dementia or Alzheimer's.
However, what many men consider a symptom of age may be caused by low testosterone. A 2006 study found that males with low T levels performed poorly on cognitive skill tests. These results suggest that low testosterone may play a part in reducing cognitive ability. If you're having trouble staying on task or remembering what your schedule is for the day, it might not be due to your age. It might be because your testosterone levels are too low. If you're having trouble concentrating or remembering daily tasks, it could be time to talk to your doctor.
Why? The aforementioned study found that participating men experienced improved cognitive skills when using TRT.
Even though today's society is more inclusive of large people, few adults enjoy gaining weight as they age. Despite their best efforts, many men just can't shed the extra pounds around their midsections, increasing their risk of heart disease and cancer.
Often, male weight gain is caused by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism and cause weight to pile on. This phase of life is called andropause and happens when there is a lack of testosterone in the body. Couple that with high cortisol levels, and you've got a recipe for flabby guts and double chins.
Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The benefits of hormone replacement therapy for men are numerous. TRT not only grants relief from low-T symptoms but can help give protection against age-related diseases. Additionally, doctors now recognize male testosterone as an important role in alleviating depression.
Some of the most exciting benefits of TRT can include:
Because men do not go through a specific period of hormonal changes like women do (called menopause), many doctors refer to "male menopause" as androgen decline. This is just another term for low testosterone, but like female menopause, the symptoms can be serious and affect your quality of life.
The best way to fight back against male menopause is with male HRT treatment from Global Life Rejuvenation. We provide the following HRT treatments for men:
Our treatment options are personalized for your body and are available as creams, gels, injectables, and implantable pellets. To find out if testosterone replacement therapy is safe for you, contact Global Life Rejuvenation today to schedule your comprehensive testing and anti-aging treatment consultation.
Growth hormone peptides are an innovative therapy that boosts the natural human growth hormone production in a person's body. These exciting treatment options help slow down the aging process and give you a chance at restoring your youth.
Sermorelin is a synthetic hormone peptide, like GHRH, which triggers the release of growth hormones. When used under the care of a qualified physician, Sermorelin can help you lose weight, increase your energy levels, and help you feel much younger.
Human growth hormone (HGH) therapy has been used for years to treat hormone deficiencies. Unlike HGH, which directly replaces declining human growth hormone levels, Sermorelin addresses the underlying cause of decreased HGH, stimulating the pituitary gland naturally. This approach keeps the mechanisms of growth hormone production active.
Benefits of Sermorelin include:
Ipamorelin helps to release growth hormones in a person's body by mimicking a peptide called ghrelin. Ghrelin is one of three hormones which work together to regulate the growth hormone levels released by the pituitary gland. Because Ipamorelin stimulates the body to produce growth hormone, your body won't stop its natural growth hormone production, which occurs with synthetic HGH.
Ipamorelin causes growth hormone secretion that resembles natural release patterns rather than being constantly elevated from HGH. Because ipamorelin stimulates the natural production of growth hormone, our patients can use this treatment long-term with fewer health risks.
One of the biggest benefits of Ipamorelin is that it is suitable for both men and women. It provides significant short and long-term benefits in age management therapies, boosting patients' overall health, wellbeing, and outlook on life. When growth hormone is produced by the pituitary gland using Ipamorelin, clients report amazing benefits.
Some of those benefits include:
Whether you are considering our TRT services, HRT for women, or our growth hormone peptide services, we are here to help. The first step to turning back the hand of time starts by contacting Global Life Rejuvenation.
Our friendly, knowledgeable TRT and HRT experts can help answer your questions and walk you through our procedures. From there, we'll figure out which treatments are right for you. Before you know it, you'll be well on your way to looking and feeling better than you have in years!
866-793-9933
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new WalletHub report released on Monday reported multiple North Carolina cities as top spots to start a new business.The report factored in the business environment, access to resources and business costs across 100 cities.The North Carolina cities that ranked pretty high are:This finding doesn't surprise Ashley Cagle, the Wake County Economic Developme...
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- A new WalletHub report released on Monday reported multiple North Carolina cities as top spots to start a new business.
The report factored in the business environment, access to resources and business costs across 100 cities.
The North Carolina cities that ranked pretty high are:
This finding doesn't surprise Ashley Cagle, the Wake County Economic Development Vice President at the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.
"It's one thing for us to see the success and for it to be a part of our work, but it's another when there's some validation that comes through," she said. "It's important to benchmark ourselves to other cities."
Cagle said in Raleigh the growth has been evident as the number and type of businesses grow.
"So one of the things that are really valuable about our market is that we have strengths in multiple industry sectors," she said. "So from life sciences to technology and advanced manufacturing, we've enjoyed some success across all of those, which makes for good times even in strange times."
Cagle shared 137 businesses have expanded and started in Raleigh over the past two years. This growth has led to nearly 13,000 new jobs and $4 billion in investments.
Rama Moorthy is one of the business owners who chose to move her business to Oak City. She started her tech company, Hatha Systems, which helps digitize companies' operations in Washington D.C. in 2018
"I know the skill set that's required of the kind of technology we have as well. And just looking at well-being in Washington, DC, the skill set is just not there from a scalability standpoint," she explained.
But, the Triangle does have the workforce with the necessary skills to help her business grow. WalletHub's study did take into account both 'human capital availability' and the working-age population.
"Not only is there big data analytics here in the tech industry but there's also big data analytics in the agricultural bio and biotech as well. So the diversity of skill set in that specific space is so vast here that our ability to essentially draw from the pool of candidates that are available is actually here better than anywhere else," Moorthy said.
She also acknowledged that this pool of candidates draws a lot of tech companies so she will face competition in attracting workers.
"There is going to be a challenge because Apple and Facebook and all these entities are still coming here. So and those guys need analytics folks as well and so there is going to be a bit of a challenge," she said.
Moorthy remains optimistic that the environment and work of her business will be different enough to attract certain employees. Jonathan Collins, the director of the Durham Tech Small Business Center, said they have seen an uptick of businesses across all sectors looking for help as they form and grow.
"Having the three major research universities and research Triangle Park is what kind of started people being interested in the area. But now all of these university programs are starting to spin out new businesses based on the research and the discoveries they're making and that, in turn, has started to attract some of these other businesses from outside," Collins said.
He partially credits recent federal grants as one reason for an increase in resources and growth in local businesses. He said the workforce does continue to be a concern that the center is working to help combat.
"We are working at a regional level to make sure that we are providing specific job skills training so people can be competitive in those new tech-specific jobs," Collins said. "We're really focused on, again, some of those biomedical lab assistant positions. Anything in the health space is always going to be really key... there are certain industries that are suffering more than others."
Collins said he also thinks the downtowns and in-person work need to continue to revamp up to help further long-term success.
"I think the challenges that we're grappling with now really revolve around big macro trends, like Hybrid work and remote work," Cagle said. "We're seeing a lot of companies who would like to have their workforce be in the office full-time struggle with the balance."
Stakeholders said North Carolina will make it through these challenges and continue attracting business.
"Companies have always found Raleigh and really the Research Triangle, in general, to be made up of a workforce that is nimble and flexible and creative," Cagle said. "And we have seen companies take advantage of that because it brings them a better culture for their company."
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RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- On a Wednesday in April, the parking deck at Raleigh-Durham International Airport is already full of people getting away."We're going to Puerto Rico," Jorge Joya said.It's a preview of what travelers can expect this summer as millions of Americans plan vacations. However, it comes as the travel industry is already facing challenges linked to shortages."We're already expecting delays all across the Northeast New York, Philadelphia, etc.," managing editor at The Points Guy, Clint...
RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- On a Wednesday in April, the parking deck at Raleigh-Durham International Airport is already full of people getting away.
"We're going to Puerto Rico," Jorge Joya said.
It's a preview of what travelers can expect this summer as millions of Americans plan vacations. However, it comes as the travel industry is already facing challenges linked to shortages.
"We're already expecting delays all across the Northeast New York, Philadelphia, etc.," managing editor at The Points Guy, Clint Henderson said. "And then I would say there's still a shortage of available seats on planes."
He said there's also a surge in demand for international destinations.
"For international travel, you really want to be booking already," Henderson said. "We're already seeing prices creep up."
If you're planning to go overseas, check your passport in advance.
The U.S. State Department said it can take up to 13 weeks to process passport applications and more than two months if you pay for faster service.
ALSO SEE: Passport applications are taking longer to process with record year for new applicants
The Wake County Register of Deeds is offering early morning appointments and applications that you can fill out online to save time.
"While we can't control any backlog of passport processing on the State Department end, we can make sure your application is fully completed for you and help make this front-end process as quick and painless as possible for anyone applying," the Wake County Government said.
Nearly 1,000 people used the Wake County Register of Deeds passport services in March.
Meanwhile, airlines and airports are doing what they can to prepare for the big crowds.
RDU is working with the TSA that held another hiring event on Wednesday to get ahead of staff shortages and recruit people like Patrick Evans, who hopes to get hired.
"I'm just ready to work," Evans said.
More than 1.1 million people flew through RDU in March for spring break. As officials expect the airport to be even busier this summer, they said they're prepared.
"We're looking at not just growth but building," RDU spokesperson Stephanie Hawco said. "So we will be looking at projects like expanding terminals, adding gates over the long term but also improving roads. Expanding parking, all the things that our customers need and we're going to fill those needs for them."
If you weren’t outside enjoying the sun on Wednesday, April 19, you were probably milling around Penn Pavilion, a can of LaCroix in hand, taking in the buzz and excited chatter of students presenting at the 2023 Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase.This annual celebration ...
If you weren’t outside enjoying the sun on Wednesday, April 19, you were probably milling around Penn Pavilion, a can of LaCroix in hand, taking in the buzz and excited chatter of students presenting at the 2023 Fortin Foundation Bass Connections Showcase.
This annual celebration of Bass Connections research projects featured more than 40 interdisciplinary teams made up of Duke faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and even partners from other research institutions.
Research teams presented posters and lightning talks on their findings. You might have heard from students aiming to increase representation of women in philosophy; or perhaps you chatted with teams researching physiotherapy in Uganda or building earthquake warning systems in Nepal. Below, meet three such teams representing a wide variety of academic disciplines at Duke.
Building sustainable university-community partnerships
As Bass Connections team member Joey Rauch described, “this is a poster about all of these other posters.” Rauch, who was presenting on behalf of his team, Equitable University-Community Research Partnerships, is a senior double-majoring in Public Policy and Dance. His interest in non-profit work led him to get involved in the team’s research, which aims to offer a framework for ethical and effective university-community research collaboration – exactly what teams do in Bass Connections. The group looked at complicated factors that can make equitable relationships difficult, such as university incentive structures, power dynamics along racial, socioeconomic, and ethnic lines, and rigid research processes.
Along the lines of rigid research, when asked about what his favorite part of Bass Connections has been, Rauch remarked that “research is oddly formal, so having a guiding hand through it” was helpful. Bass Connections offers an instructive, inclusive way for people to get involved in research, whether for the first or fourth time. He also said that working with so many people from a variety of departments of Duke gave him “such a wealth of experience” as he looks to his future beyond Duke.
For more information about the team, including a full list of all team members, click here.
Ensuring post-radiation wellness for women
Seniors Michelle Huang, Shernice Martin, Kayle Park, and Danica Schwartz (all pictured) were gathered around the poster for their team, Promoting Sexual Function and Pelvic Health in Women’s Healthcare.
The project has been around for three years and this year’s study, which looked at improving female sexual wellness after pelvic radiation procedures, was in fact a sister study to a study done two years prior on reducing anxiety surrounding pelvic exams.
As Huang described, graduate students and faculty conducted in-depth interviews with patients to better understand their lived experiences. This will help the team develop interventions to help women after life events that affect their pelvic and sexual health, such as childbirth or cancer treatment. These interventions are grounded in the biopsychosocial model of pain, which highlights the links between emotional distress, cognition, and pain processing.
For more information about the team, including a full list of all team members, click here.
From dolphins to humans
Sophomores Noelle Fuchs and Jack Nowacek were manning an interactive research display for their team, Learning from Whales: Oxygen, Ecosystems and Human Health. At the center of their research question is the condition of hypoxia, which occurs when tissues are deprived of an adequate oxygen supply.
Hypoxia is implicated in a host of human diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, COVID-19, and cancer. But it is also one of the default settings for deep-diving whales, who have developed a tolerance for hypoxia as they dive into the ocean for hours while foraging.
The project, which has been around for four years, has two sub-teams. Fuchs, an Environmental Science and Policy major, was on the side of the team genetically mapping deep-diving pilot whales, beaked whales, and offshore bottlenose dolphins off the coast of Cape Hatteras to identify causal genetic variants for hypoxia tolerance within specific genes. Nowacek, a Biology and Statistics double-major, was on the other side of the research, analyzing tissue biopsies of these three cetaceans to conduct experiences on hypoxia pathways.
The team has compiled a closer, more interactive look into their research on their website.
And when asked about her experience being on this team and doing this research, Fuchs remarked that Bass Connections has been a “great way to dip my toe into research and figure out what I do and don’t want to do,” moving forward at Duke and beyond.
For more information about the team, including a full list of all team members, click here.
Post by Meghna Datta, Class of 2023
On a cloudy afternoon in Garrett Road Park, a small yellow ball sailed over a tennis net and back again. Players Matthew McCullen and Janae Andrews ran to return the ball, but they didn’t travel far — they stayed within a small white box at the front of the court. The two Durhamites were planning on spending their Sunday afternoon playing tennis, but decided instead to purchase new equipment a mere hour earlier.This is pickleball, a sport that’s part tennis, part ping-pong. Once known as a pastime for retirement home...
On a cloudy afternoon in Garrett Road Park, a small yellow ball sailed over a tennis net and back again. Players Matthew McCullen and Janae Andrews ran to return the ball, but they didn’t travel far — they stayed within a small white box at the front of the court. The two Durhamites were planning on spending their Sunday afternoon playing tennis, but decided instead to purchase new equipment a mere hour earlier.
This is pickleball, a sport that’s part tennis, part ping-pong. Once known as a pastime for retirement homes, the sport, with its mid-sized paddles and neon balls, can now be found in parks and on college campuses around the world.
The sport has gotten so big that Durham Area Pickleball Players, an association for the advancement of the sport, has campaigned for a dedicated pickleball center for the past year now. After months of communication with the city parks and recreation department, as well as several charity fundraisers in support of the project, the City of Durham agreed.
City officials decided to renovate the rundown tennis courts at Piney Woods Park and transform the park into the city’s only dedicated facility for pickleball. It is scheduled to reopen this fall and will have 12 courts, complete with interior fencing and new nets.
“Honestly, we can’t keep up with how much demand there is for pickleball,” says Michelle Hunt, treasurer of Durham Area Pickleball Players.
The sport started in 1965 in Bainbridge Island, Washington when a congressman and his friend couldn’t find their badminton rackets. Instead, they used ping-pong equipment, and ended up inventing pickleball.
Locally, people have flocked to the sport in recent years as a way to get low-impact exercise outside, as well as a chance to socialize. “You’re right up near your opponents. You’re not standing way back at the baseline, hundreds of feet away,” according to Hunt. In tennis, people usually play singles, but the pickleball standard is a friendly game of doubles.
Given pickleball’s small court, manageable paddles and big ball, beginners don’t need hours of practice to start having fun. “It’s a great sport for all sorts of different people. Young people play it. Old people play it, because it’s not physically demanding,” says Hunt. Also, the rules are relatively simple, allowing for a small learning curve for beginners.
Hunt interacts with a lot of pickleball players both as a volunteer with Durham’s parks department, and as the pickleball group’s treasurer. Her most recent work as a parks volunteer involved helping with a pickleball tournament at the Bethesda tennis courts.
It took place last Wednesday morning, the cool beginning of a sweltering day in Durham. Friendly banter at the net began each game, a pickleball tradition that often delays matches past their scheduled starting time. As play began, players nonchalantly tapped paddles after scoring a point, a signature pickleball salute. Nobody got too serious. Every round ended with players congratulating their opponents on a game well played.
Throughout the morning, 48 players — mostly retired Durhamites and those who have flexibility in their work schedules — took over the tennis courts, staying within the red pickleball lines.
The painted lines have only existed for the past six months or so. Before that, the pickleball group laid down bright electrical tape for guerilla pickleball playing. Today, Bethesda Park operates on a split schedule for the two sports. When a player arrives seeking out tennis during the designated time, any pickleball players must cede the court.
However, as Hunt disclosed in a hushed whisper, “Honestly, there’s not that many tennis players.” At any given time, the courts are overrun with picklers, a testament to the sport’s popularity.
Yet there are too many players, and not enough courts.
“We have a huge pickleball community in Durham. Historically, they’ve been underserved in the system. We want to make sure they have places to play and compete,” says Mary Unterreiner, communications manager at Durham Parks and Rec. Even though the park was approved by the city months ago, issues with the court’s surface stalled the construction.
Hunt encourages all those curious about the sport to begin their own pickleball journey. “All you need is a paddle and some balls and some shoes,” she says.
The question is whether the city can keep up with the growing demand, Hunt says. “Lots more people want to play than there is court time and court space available.”
In photo at top, Matteo Locatelli enjoys a game of pickleball with Lilly Neary at Forest Hills Park. Photo by Abigail Bromberger – The 9th Street Journal
DURHAM – Duke Baseball looks into the first month of Major League Baseball and its affiliate teams, as we check in on our Pro Blue Devils across the country.Marcus Stroman – Chicago Cubs (MLB) In his first five starts for the Chicago Cubs this season, Stroman has posted a 2-2 record on the bump alongside of a 2.17 ERA in 29 innings of work. The right-hander recorded his 1,000th career punchout against the Dodgers on April 23. The Cubs are currently 13-9 on the season, heading into ...
DURHAM – Duke Baseball looks into the first month of Major League Baseball and its affiliate teams, as we check in on our Pro Blue Devils across the country.
Marcus Stroman – Chicago Cubs (MLB) In his first five starts for the Chicago Cubs this season, Stroman has posted a 2-2 record on the bump alongside of a 2.17 ERA in 29 innings of work. The right-hander recorded his 1,000th career punchout against the Dodgers on April 23. The Cubs are currently 13-9 on the season, heading into the month of May.
Jimmy Herron – Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA | Colorado Rockies) Jimmy Herron has appeared in 16 games for the Albuquerque Isotopes so far this season, tallying a .262 average at the plate. He has collected 16 hits and scored 11 runs, while driving in six RBI. Herron has also tallied four doubles, two triples and a big fly to his line, while drawing five walks and adding a stolen base this season.
Matt Mervis – Iowa Cubs (AAA | Chicago Cubs) Mervis has picked up where he left off in 2022 and in the World Baseball Classic with Team Israel, beginning the 2023 campaign with a .275 average in 19 games played. The first baseman has recorded 19 hits, including four doubles and five home runs. He has driven in 21 RBI and drawn 15 walks. He boasts a .402 on base percentage and has an OPS of .953 in the first month of play.
Bryce Jarvis – Reno Aces (AAA | Arizona Diamondbacks) Bryce Jarvis was promoted to triple-A on April 25, 2023, after recording a 2-1 record on the mound to begin the 2023 season. He has posted a 3.32 ERA on the bump in four starts, working 19 innings and allowing just nine hits. Jarvis is holding opponents to a .141 average against and has punched out 20 batters. The Lexington, Ky., native was named the double-A pitcher of the week on April 24.
Joey Loperfido – Corpus Christi Hooks (AA | Houston Astros) Joey Loperfido was promoted to double-A on April 20, 2023, after beginning the 2023 campaign with a .265 average in Asheville. Loperfido joined Corpus Christi and made an immediate impact, batting .471 in his four games played so far. He has scored seven runs for the Hooks and blasted four home runs.
Griffin Conine – Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA | Miami Marlins) Griffin Conine became the Blue Wahoos all-time career leader in home runs last week, hitting his first home run of the season and his 36th at the double-A level. Conine has added three doubles and a triple to his line, while walking seven times this season.
Ethan Murray – Biloxi Shuckers (AA | Milwaukee Brewers) Murray has appeared in 11 games to this point in the 2023 season, tallying six hits and driving in five runs. He has one double and one home run to his line, a grand slam, while posting an OPS of .648 for the Biloxi Shuckers.
Graeme Stinson – Montgomery Biscuits (AA | Tampa Bay Rays) Graeme Stinson was promoted to double-A on April 20, 2023, and has appeared in two games since joining the squad. Stinson has posted a 0.00 ERA, holding one game and allowing just two hits in his three innings of work. The lefty is holding opponents to a .182 average at the plate with three strikeouts.
Adam Laskey – South Bend Cubs (High-A | Chicago Cubs) Laskey has appeared in five games for the South Bend Cubs this season, working 6.2 innings and striking out eight batters to three walks. He has scattered seven hits and allowed just four runs to score.
Jack Carey – Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A | Pittsburgh Pirates) Carey has appeared in three games this season for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, recording a 1-0 record on the mound with a 3.00 ERA. The righty has tallied one save on the season, allowing two hits and one run to score. He is holding opponents to a .182 average at the plate and punched out four batters.
Michael Rothenberg – Lakeland Flying Tigers (A | Detroit Tigers) Rothenberg has appeared in 10 games so far this season, posting a .297 average at the plate. He has collected 11 hits, five for extra bases, including two doubles, a triple and two home runs. The catcher is currently posting a .940 OPS this season for the Flying Tigers.
Marcus Johnson – Charleston RiverDogs (A | Tampa Bay Rays) Marcus Johnson has been dealing in single-A for the Charleston RiverDogs in his first three professional starts, posting a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings of work. The Whitter, Calif., native has scattered nine hits and allowed one run to score. Opponents are batting just .200 off the righty at the plate this season, as Johnson has recorded a 12:1 strikeout to walk ratio to this point.
Billy Seidl – Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (A | Chicago White Sox) Billy Seidl has appeared in five games for Kannapolis this season, posting a 1-0 record on the bump. In his seven innings of work, Seidl has posted a 1.29 ERA and collected four saves. He has scattered three hits, allowing one run to score and opponents are hitting just .130 off the righty.
Graham Pauley – Lake Elsinore Storm (A | San Diego Padres) In his 15 games played to this point in the season, Pauley has collected 20 hits to boast to .385 average at the plate. The third baseman has tallied four doubles, one triple and on home run, while posting a .467 OBP to begin the 2023 campaign. Pauley has scored 12 runs for the Storm and has an OPS of 1.025.
Jimmy Loper – St. Lucie Mets (A | New York Mets) Loper has appeared in four games so far this season for the St. Lucie Mets, working seven innings on the mound. He has scattered three hits and punched out four batters, while opponents are hitting a measly .136 off the righty.
Henry Williams – ACL Padres (Rookie Ball | San Diego Padres) The Arizona Complex League season begins in June.
Chris Proctor – Lancaster Barnstormers (Independent Ball) The Lancaster Barnstormers' season begins on April 28, 2023, on the road against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
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