ASHLAND – Benji Radio celebrated a major milestone on Aug. 16 — one full year of playing pickleball every single day.

It’s a sport that has given him far more than alcohol and drug addiction ever provided.

His wife, Jordan, who he has been with since they were 16, also has more than 300 days logged on the pickleball court.

Radio, 41, said he remembers the first day he discovered the sport. In August of 2024, Radio was driving through Pleasant Hill Lake when he asked what that “tiny tennis” game was called. He laughed when his wife told him it was pickleball.

That day, they spent several hours simply hitting the ball back and forth.

“It ended up being a great workout and tons of laughing and we kept going back each day while the pickleball kit we ordered came in,” Radio said. “Many times, we went in the morning and in the evenings.”

Playing every day was not intentional, at first. Radio mentioned to his wife that he realized they had been playing every day after a couple of weeks.

“I think we should try and not break the streak and see how far we can go,” Radio said.

For Radio, the daily commitment isn’t just about keeping up with his streak; it’s about continuing his journey of growth and history with addiction.

The same week Radio began playing pickleball, he decided to commit to a clean and sober life.

Radio said he never could have hit the 365-day mark without his wife or brother, who continue to help him along the way.

Radio told his brother, Jason, about the sport when his sibling moved from California back to Mansfield. His brother now joins him playing pickleball five to six days a week.

The three went five months of playing pickleball without ever keeping score. He and his wife’s first four-person game was in mid January of 2025 at the Lakewood Racquet Club in Lexington.

No injury or sickness has held Radio back from his goal. Ankle tweak, hamstring, quad pull, foot bruise, shoulder tear — you name it, he’s had it. He and his wife have also played through illness.

Even the days that feel impossible, Radio said he and his wife still compete. They have created makeshift nets in their house and driveway, so they could play at home and not break their streak.

“Christmas Day was one of those days,” Radio said. “On New Year’s Day, we had to go to Columbus to find an open pickleball place. It was called ‘Paddle Taps’ and we couldn’t believe how packed it was.”

Recovery meets the court

After years of struggling with alcohol and addiction, Radio discovered that the game offers him more than fun. He said it provides focus, community and a healthy outlet.

“Addiction is weird,” Radio said. “Even when I was only sleeping an average of 16 hours a week for over a year, I didn’t think I was addicted.”

What started as curiosity quickly became something deeper. Radio and his wife made a commitment to play every day, not only as a leisurely activity, but as a way to continue healthy habits.

“My wife, in her infinite wisdom, said she wanted to live clean and sober. I said if you are, then I am, too,” Radio said.

“It keeps my mind off the bad stuff,” he said. “All I can say is thank God for pickleball.”

The couple keeps their routine fresh by playing at a variety of locations. They frequent Pleasant Hill Lake, Sterkel Park, Lakewood Racquet Club, and a park in Loundonville for friendly, but competitive matches.

Each location provides new faces and different sites.

They also enjoy the variety of groups and organizations they encounter at each spot. This makes every game a little different from the last, providing new challenges and opportunities to connect with fellow pickleball players.

“One thing I didn’t fully realize in the beginning, is that when you change your lifestyle, you lose your old social life,” Radio said. “Pickleball just so happens to be a wonderful social sport.

“Our friends at Lakewood Racquet Club and the Loudonville Pickleball Organization, are some of our absolute favorite people and they have enriched our lives more than they’ll ever know.”

He said he loves how pickleball is for everyone. No matter your race, religion, handicap or age, the sport truly bridges a gap.

Daily dedication, lasting memories

“I remember someone asked me after four months what my goal was. I hadn’t considered it till just then, and I just spit out 365 days,” Radio said.

He added that while there have been hard moments, it has also been the most rewarding and happiest year of his life.

“Jordan and I are as close and happy as we’ve ever been,” he said. “And our beautiful boy is about to start his first year of college at Ashland University.”

When people ask Radio what he will do after hitting the one-year goal, he always jokes that he will take a week off to heal.

His wife’s response is always, “I know him and there’s no way he could stop.”

“So, here’s to year two,” Radio said.