Mick Unplugged
Wally Green | Overcoming Adversity: Wally Green on Life, Ping Pong, and Pickleball
18 Nov 2024
Welcome back to another gripping episode of Mick Unplugged! Today, we have a remarkable guest joining us: Wally Green, a name synonymous with resilience and transformation in the world of table tennis. Once self-dubbed the worst player in the pro circuit, Wally went from being a struggling athlete to an international table tennis professional, with a journey marked by profound personal growth and unexpected turns. In this episode, we'll unravel Wally’s story—from his challenging youth marred by domestic violence and gang involvement to his eventual rise in the table tennis world, fuelled by sheer determination and the guidance of unexpected mentors. We'll dive into the pivotal moments that defined his path, including a life-altering opportunity in Germany and a surprising mentorship that helped steer him away from a troubled life. Wally also shares his candid thoughts on the sport of pickleball, confronting its growing popularity and the arrogance he perceives among its players. Despite retiring from professional table tennis, Wally’s competitive spirit remains unshakable, as he now sets his sights on proving his prowess in pickleball. Join our host, Mick Hunt, as we explore the depths of Wally’s multifaceted journey, including the mental fortitude required in ping pong, the significance of mentors, and the vital importance of asking for help. Stay tuned, as this episode promises an inspiring and raw portrayal of a unique athlete’s relentless quest for self-improvement and acceptance. Takeaways: · Mindset plays a crucial role in achieving success in sports and life. · Ping pong provided Wally with an escape from his troubled past. · Mentorship can change the trajectory of a person's life. · Overcoming adversity is a key theme in Wally's story. · Asking for help is essential for personal growth. Sound Bites: · "I was living in the street for a year." · "Ping pong is what saved my life." · "I’m going to prove everybody wrong." · "If you need help, don't be afraid to ask." Connect and Discover Instagram: Instagram.com/wallygreennyc Tik Tok: @wallygreennycofficial Youtube: wallygreennyc X: @wallygreennyc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Full Episode
I'm probably the biggest hater of pickleball, especially online. Online, all the big pickleball pages, they all know me. They all know me because I'm always in the comments, just like kind of shitting on the sport.
And the reason why I was like that was because... Not only am I going to compete, not only am I going to dominate, but I'm going to be the best. Not one of the best, but the best. What was that journey like, man?
I was never the best in the world, right? As a matter of fact... I was probably, when I started playing pro, the worst in the world. By far the worst in the world. What's one thing that you wanna message out to the world today? One of the most important tips. If you need help, don't be afraid to ask, right? It's very difficult to do everything on your own. And then more importantly,
Welcome to Mick Unplugged, where we ignite potential and fuel purpose. Get ready for raw insights, bold moves, and game-changing conversations. Buckle up. Here's Mick.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of Mick Unplugged. And today we have a phenomenal guest. We're talking about a world-renowned athlete and ambassador for the sport of table tennis. Known for his electrifying performances and inspiring journey from the streets of Brooklyn to international acclaim.
His dedication, resilience, and ability to connect with people of all backgrounds have made him a true icon in the world of sports. Please join me in welcoming the dynamic, the inspiring, the transformative, the wall breaker himself, Mr. Wally Green. Wally, how are you doing today, brother? I'm great. Thanks for having me. Absolutely, man. So we're about to start where we were talking offline.
And I said, Wally, when I was introduced to you, I was like, wait, I've seen that guy. Because there's not a lot of people that look like me and Wally that you see on TV or out doing table tennis, right? So Wally, man, tell me how you went from Brooklyn to picking up table tennis.
Oh, man, it's pretty crazy because I actually hated it. I hated the sport. Like, they had it in my high school. I used to make fun of all the kids that played it. Like, at the time, I was playing football. I played basketball for the wrestling team. And I would see it in the lunchroom, and I would make fun of everyone. I'd be like, look at these kids with their short shorts and a stick.
Like, it was just funny, you know. for me to see. I started shooting pool one year. And while I was shooting pool, I got hustled for a little bit of money. I got upset, took my pool stick, slammed it on the table, and it shattered. It broke. It just shattered. And I was so angry. And back then, you know, I used to take everything that was bothering me, I would take out on other people.
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