Retirees Have a Passion for Pickleball — and One Man's Related Side Hustle Rakes in Up to $5,000 a Month Bahman Mody saw an opportunity he couldn't ignore on Instagram.
By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas
Key Takeaways
- More than 4.8 million people in the U.S. play pickleball, the nation's fastest-growing sport.
- Bahman Mody started playing about five years ago — and realized he could monetize his game.
There are more than 4.8 million "picklers" in the U.S., according to a 2022 report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association — devotees of the pickleball pastime often described as a combination of tennis, Ping-Pong and badminton.
It even claims the title of America's fastest-growing sport, with a 40% jump between 2019 and 2020, per the report. And though all ages are getting in on it, more than half (52%) of players participating eight or more times a year are 55 or older, with nearly a third (32.7%) 65 or older.
Related: Pickleball Injuries May Cost Americans $400M, Especially Seniors
Bahman Mody, a full-time medical technical researcher and 33-year tennis veteran, is one of many partaking in the fun — and he's also cashing in on the hype with a side hustle.
Mody first tried out pickleball about five years ago, then "started playing very consistently" two years ago. Then he taught some friends and friends of friends how to play the game and considered expanding his reach. In April, when he saw an Instagram ad for TeachMe.To, an "in-person leisure learning marketplace" that connects students with teachers for private lessons, he decided "to give it a shot."
Mody landed his first client through the platform within the week and had several more within the first month. Now, he gives lessons seven days a week; he also teaches tennis and golf, though pickleball remains his most popular offering. His youngest clients are in their teens, and his oldest are in their 70s.
"Several clients [are] learning [pickleball] for the first time in retirement, with varying levels of skill and athletic ability and goals for competitiveness," Mody says.
Related: Pickleball Is Becoming Big Business for Entrepreneurs
Now, Mody provides 15-25 lessons per week in the Los Angeles area, earning $40-$100 per hour depending on how many students he has, which typically translates to $2,000-$5,000 per month, he says.
"Just dive in," Mody encourages anyone who wants to start their own side hustle on TeachMe.To. "If you've got the skills and the time, you'll get it going quite quickly. It's a really great platform."
