Life & Work with Abraham Muheize of Coto De Caza

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abraham Muheize.

Hi Abraham, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always been driven by competition, leadership, and building something bigger than myself. Growing up, I was an All-American football player with dreams of going as far as I could in sports. That experience taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to push through adversity—but more importantly, it showed me the impact a strong community can have on someone’s life.

After football, I found myself drawn more toward building and leading than just competing. I started creating opportunities—whether that was organizing leagues, bringing people together, or finding ways to give back. One of the things I’m most proud of was running a community basketball league that raised money for my high school and made activities more accessible for students.

That mindset carried into what I’m doing today as the owner and coach at Coto Pickleball Club. What started as an opportunity to grow something small has turned into building one of the most active and community-driven pickleball clubs in the area. We’ve grown to hundreds of members, thousands of app users, and a daily environment where people come not just to play, but to connect.

For me, it’s never just been about pickleball—it’s about creating a place where people feel welcomed, challenged, and part of something. Whether it’s beginner programs, competitive events, or just open play, the goal is always the same: build a strong, positive community.

I’m still growing, still learning, and still pushing to take things to the next level—but everything I’ve done so far has been rooted in bringing people together and creating opportunities that didn’t exist before.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. In a lot of ways, the biggest challenges started before I even got into this space.

When I found my passion in basketball, I thought I had a clear path. But when COVID hit, everything stopped. That season of my life ended abruptly, and I honestly felt lost. I didn’t know what was next or where I was headed.

That’s when I met Sean Bollettieri, who gave me an opportunity in tennis. I didn’t have a background in it, but I was willing to learn, work, and grow. That experience taught me how to adapt, step into something unfamiliar, and create value in a new environment.

After about two years, the opportunity to take over Coto Pickleball Club came up. When I stepped in, I wasn’t taking over a built-out business—I was starting with courts and an opportunity. No real systems, no established structure, just the vision of what it could become.

From there, the challenges shifted into building and growing something from scratch.

We’ve dealt with things like facility limitations, power and lighting issues, navigating permits, and working through landlord and operational constraints. There were times where we had to get creative just to keep things running for our members.

At the same time, I had to learn how to turn passion into a sustainable business. That meant making tough decisions, building systems, managing people, and figuring out how to grow while still protecting the culture we were creating.

A lot of it has been trial and error—testing programs, pricing, events, and constantly adjusting. There wasn’t a blueprint, so we had to create our own.

Looking back, those challenges are what shaped everything. They forced me to grow, stay resilient, and keep pushing forward. And they’re still part of the journey as we continue to build something bigger.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the owner and coach at Coto Pickleball Club, where I focus on building not just a place to play, but a true community. My work sits at the intersection of coaching, business development, and creating experiences that bring people together.

What I specialize in is taking something that’s just an idea—or in my case, just courts—and turning it into a thriving, high-energy environment. We’ve built programs for all levels, from complete beginners to advanced players, and created systems that keep people engaged, improving, and connected.

What I’m most proud of is the culture we’ve built. We’ve grown into a club with hundreds of active members and a strong daily presence, but more importantly, people genuinely feel like they’re part of something. It’s not just about pickleball—it’s about relationships, consistency, and creating a place people want to come back to every day.

What sets me apart is my ability to combine coaching with entrepreneurship. I’m not just running drills or managing a facility—I’m constantly thinking about how to improve the experience, grow the business, and create new opportunities. Whether it’s launching new programs, hosting events, or building systems from scratch, I’m always looking to evolve.

I also take a very hands-on approach. I’m on the courts, working with players, listening to feedback, and adjusting in real time. That connection to the community allows me to build something that’s not only successful, but meaningful.

At the end of the day, my goal is simple: create an environment where people can grow, compete, and be part of something bigger—and continue to scale that vision.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’m big on learning, but I tend to focus more on applying than just consuming.

For books, I like anything that challenges how I think about growth, discipline, and leadership. Books like Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins and Relentless by Tim Grover really resonated with me because they emphasize mindset, accountability, and pushing past limits.

On the app side, I use tools that help me stay connected, create, and grow. The Coto Pickleball Club App is at the center of everything we do—it’s how we organize our community and keep people engaged. I also use ChatGPT as a tool to help with ideas, content, and problem-solving. And platforms like Instagram and Facebook are huge for building awareness, sharing our story, and connecting with both our current members and new players.

For podcasts, I gravitate toward business, mindset, and performance. I like listening to entrepreneurs and high performers talk about what they’re building and how they think. It helps me stay sharp and constantly evolving.

What’s been most valuable for me, though, is real-world learning—being in it every day, working with people, testing ideas, and adjusting quickly. That hands-on experience has taught me more than anything else.

Pricing:

• • Single Membership: $250 enrollment + $139/month or $1,390 annually
• Couples Membership: $350 enrollment + $199/month or $1,990 annually
• Guest Day Pass: $20 for full-day access to courts and programs
• Programs & Events: Most member programs are free; guests typically $20 per event
• Coaching (3 & Me): $45 per person per session or 10 sessions for $300 per person

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cotopickle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abrahammuheize?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abraham.muheize?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr