July 18th, 2025, 7pm MDT
Curry Joe Smith never planned to become a professional pickleball player.
In fact, she was looking at the sounds of sports. “It got me crazy,” she laughed. It reminded me of what she once saw as a big paddle, a transformed tennis net, and what she once saw as a graceful stroke. “I’m never dead from a pickle ball paddle in my hand,” she told her husband.
But today she holds 11 professional titles, travels the world with her family and uses her influence as one of the best in the sport to do things much greater than victory. She shares the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In a new episode of The Church News podcast, Smith revealed what really matters to her. And it’s not a trophy, a medal, or a national acclaim.
“This is between me and God.”
Smith’s journey from a disgusting participant to a top athlete is impressive in its own right. But what makes her story stand out is the spiritual behind the scenes. In particular, they seek personal revelation from an age of trials.
Often struggling with his own trial or challenge, Smith will turn to prayer, fasting, biblical studies, and advice from church leaders, family, friends and leaders.
One test occurred when I felt I couldn’t receive answers to questions for nearly a year. That’s when she asked her husband Kyle for priesthood blessings.
Kyle Smith didn’t know her questions, but the blessing was an immediate answer to her many prayers.
“Ah, well. Multiple answers to prayer,” she said. “I hadn’t told Kyle about it. Those were personal prayers I had, and it was pretty personal to me that he answered through the blessing.”
Her soul carpenter
Smith says that her testimony is not only based on priesthood blessings and personal revelation, but it overcomes her injuries, family life, postpartum struggles, and her losses.
From sobs in the hotel bathroom after a severe defeat to singing first songs to daughter late at night, Smith learned to find God everywhere. In a sport that measures points and success on the podium, she redefines the meaning of winning.
“Success isn’t necessarily the case,” she said. “I’m not a victory. I’m not a success with the pickleball. I’m a daughter of God.”
When she feels like she’s failing – in court, in motherhood, in faith – Smith is on her knees. And the Lord does not necessarily send someone to bless someone. text. Priesthood blessings. Kind mercy.
One night, during the tournament, she was feeling so much pain that she couldn’t walk. She called the local bishop and received blessings, not only could she perform the next day, but she also introduced her host to the Gospel. The woman later came to church with her. “The Spirit of God is real,” Smith said.
Pickleball as a mission field
In his seventh year on the tour, Smith says he could testify “thousands of” on planes, clinics and chocolate ice cream bars.
Sometimes she preaches with words. More often, with quiet beliefs.
She heard from fans who noticed “this light” and added, “You never know who’s helping.”
That’s what drives her now. It’s not a ranking. It’s not approval. But “When I choose to involve him and include him, he changes me.”
From tears to testimony
Smith knows what it’s like to question your worth. She felt like a bad mom, a mediocre athlete, and a struggling apprentice.
But through all the back injuries, mental spirals, sleepless nights with her children, she discovers something deeper than accomplishment: God’s identity.
That’s what she hopes others will take from her story.
“I’m not a pickle,” she says, “I’m a daughter of God. I’m a mother. I’m a daughter of wonderful parents. And he has helped me and helped me through these experiences.
