Daily Inspiration: Meet Chessa Mehlman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chessa Mehlman.

Hi Chessa, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started playing tennis in kindergarten which ultimately lead to my coaching career. My first experience with coaching tennis was in 7th grade when I chose to coach a Special Olympics tennis team for my Bnai Mitzvah project. It was an incredible experience where I learned to coach a wide variety of athletes age 6 – 60, and with various special needs. We had weekly practices, a year end tournament, and a traveling tournament to the Summer Games at UC Davis. Players won medals, and most importantly had fun. I fell in love with coaching, and specifically coaching for the Special Olympics. I continued coaching my Special Olympics tennis team for the next 7 years until I went to college. Coaching Special Olympics instilled in me the importance of making tennis accessible for all people. I carry this mission with me today, and work to make my coaching accessible to all, and focused on the underserved.
I played D3 college tennis at Ithaca College in NY, and started coaching kids when I was home for the summer. I worked at the local country club as a summer camp tennis coach. After I injured myself playing tennis in college I had to take 10 years off from my tennis journey. In that time I had 4 hip surgeries, and I am now 1 year post op of my 4th hip surgery. Finally, I was able to start coaching tennis again. I restarted my coaching career in January of 2025 in Los Angeles, and have been slowly building my business as my hip continues to recover.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overcoming my injury has been the hardest battle of my life. I have been in constant chronic pain for the last 10 years, and it was an insane journey trying to find a doctor who not only understood the problem, but was able to fix it. Over the past 10 years I had 3 failed hip surgeries before finally getting a (hopefully successful) surgery at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado in September of 2024. The 4th surgery was by far the most extensive surgery I have gotten to date. I spent 2 months living in a hotel so I could be in physical therapy every until I relearned to walk. I am still in physical therapy 3 times a week, and will likely be in physical therapy for the next year. I still have a long journey ahead of me with the recovery. But I am slowly getting stronger, and with that comes the ability to coach again. My goal for this 4th hip surgery was to get to a point where I would be able to coach tennis, and I am so proud to say that I have finally accomplished that goal. I am thrilled to reconnect with my love for tennis, and every day that I get to coach others to love the sport is an incredible win.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a tennis coach, and I specialize in beginner tennis. I offer lessons to anyone in the Burbank community (or willing to travel to Burbank), and I specialize in tennis for the queer community, and tennis for women. In my experience I have found that tennis has always been considered an inaccessible or intimidating space for marginalized communities. I offer affordable lessons, and I create intentional community spaces where people can use tennis as a way to connect with others within their community. I have a social ladies bootcamp, a queer happy hour tennis group, and I also host special tennis events including: singles mixers, clothing pop-ups, and a Pride Tennis Party. I am extremely proud of the Pride Tennis event that I hosted this June. We had a really fun event with games, prizes, vendors, and tons of amazing sponsors. The event was extremely successful, and the queer community had a great space to celebrate Pride on the courts.

What does success mean to you?
A successful tennis coach is someone who can inspire their players to come out to the courts, and have fun! If my players are having fun I know I am doing my job well.

Pricing:

• Group Lessons $25 per person
• Semi Private Lessons $45 per person
• Liveball $30 per person

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @tenniswchessa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/668187908667265

Image Credits
Shelly Guidera