One wouldn’t know what a multifaceted individual looks like till they have met Tara Bernstein. A reigning Pickle Ball champ, she is an athlete and much more. As a fellow woman in sports, Tara gets personal with Jejune Magazine about the struggles faced by women athletes - a passionate subject for her. Tara also likes to dabble in the fashion industry, working with big names like Jovani for their New York Fashion Week Show. Read this exclusive interview with Tara Bernstein to learn more about her life, her sport, and her philanthropic attitude towards life!

Where are you based?
Long Island, NY.

How did your interest in pickleball start? Growing up did you imagine you would be a pickleball champ?
My interest in pickleball started with my father. He invited me to play at the local Glen Oaks courts and at first I was a little skeptical. However, when I stepped on that court I fell in love. I played a sport my entire life and trained everyday. After finishing my softball career, I still worked in sports but I missed competing and I felt I was missing part of my identity. Playing pickleball has helped with that and I love that it allows me to compete and play at a high level. It also brings together so many diverse groups of people. Now I’m a pickleball athlete and creator, spreading my passion amongst others and producing events with different brand activations with my company TBCreative.

Pickleball is taking the world by storm! Why do you think it has become one of the hot new sports?
I think it has become one of the hottest sports because of the different people that have become involved with it. Pickleball is probably one of the only sports where there are different age groups you can become professional at a sport. Also you can compete with people of all ages and backgrounds.

We hear you’re producing Jovani’s fall runway at NYFW! The dream! How do you feel about the show? How is it going and are you facing any challenges?
The opportunity to produce the Jovani NYFWS and direct the influencer campaign is a dream come true! Growing up, I always admired Jovani dresses and wore them to memorable events like prom and my first pageant. Now, to be able to partner with Jovani on their first New York Fashion Week show, coinciding with their 40th anniversary, is truly an honor. I’m super excited to have the girls come together from different backgrounds, bond and create new friendships. I have walked in NYFW before and I was always told I was too small or short. However, now I will be giving the opportunity to creators and influencers to walk in this NYFW show even if they aren’t the “normal” height requirement. By collaborating with this diverse group, we aim to expand Jovani's audience and introduce the brand to a whole new demographic. From sports to lifestyle, fashion, and beauty, our influencer group has a wide reach, connecting with nearly 40 million people.

Jejune loves that you actively mentor young female athletes with WISE Organization and Girls Inc. Can you tell us a bit about these organizations and your work with them? Why is it important to you?
I have worked with Coach Astacio and his softball team in the Bronx. I mentored them throughout college and donated my equipment to them after my college career. They wrote me handwritten letters telling me I inspired them to stay in school, play a sport and continue to work hard on and off the field with their brands. It’s important to me because I want to be a mentor to these younger girls, someone they can talk to at any point about things mentally and athletically. I want to create opportunities and help connect them with things I never had, inspiring them to never limit themselves to one path or identity.

What challenges do you think women face in the sports field and how would you alleviate them?
We have come a long way; however, there are still challenges with credibility and worth. I would say to put yourself in uncomfortable rooms. Working in sports and entertainment can look intimidating from the outside. However, I promise with the community of women who come together to accomplish things together from different skill sets makes the world go round.

Women’s sports are more often dismissed than men’s. How would you like to bring more female athletes to the limelight?
I would like to bring more females to the limelight by giving them the same coverage as men’s sports. I want to find different ways to showcase who women are as people and iconic athletes since women deserve to be provided the same opportunities as the men in sports.

What advice would you give young girls trying to find their way as athletes?
To be persistent and keep grinding. In sports you can fail more than you succeed and still be in the hall of fame. There will be a ton of adversity, but positive self talk is everything. The way you speak to yourself, the way you invest time in the gym and practicing is so important. I didn’t have social media as an athlete when I was in high school or rarely used it in college. Now more girls and young women can make an impact on and off the field because and build a brand that showcases who you are not only as an athlete but as a person.

It has been a rough few years, how have you been staying positive during these times?
The past few years have undoubtedly been challenging. The loss of my grandmother, a holocaust survivor, especially during the post-covid period, was a deeply painful experience. She was not only my best friend but an incredibly selfless individual. Staying positive during the rough few years wasn’t easy, but I have learned that reaching out and staying connected with close friends and family can make a significant difference. With so much uncertainty and isolation, I made a conscious effort to learn new skills, give back to the community, help others, and immerse myself in reading books. Engaging in these activities not only allowed me to stay active and contribute during these tough times, but it has allowed me to grow personally and emotionally. Learning new skills expanded my horizons and gave me a sense of accomplishment. Doing Zoom sessions to teach younger women in sports has instilled a sense of purpose and connectedness to something larger than myself. These years taught me valuable lessons about resilience, adaption, and self-reflection. It forced me to reevaluate my priorities, re-assess my goals, and focus on personal growth.

What is your motto in life?
Life isn’t about what people show. It’s not about how great or impressive it all appears on the outside. It’s about how you feel on the inside! In the moments where you are alone and reflect on your life, remember to always feed your soul and celebrate every little accomplishment and how far you’ve come.

To learn more about Tara Bernstein, please follow:
Instagram - @Taralynn.nyc / Snapchat - Taraa28

(Pickle)Ballin’ Through Life With Tara Bernstein