Player Spotlight: Lee Whitwell – Changing the Game On and Off the Court

As part of the WW Pickle & Social Club at HLTH 2025, Lee Whitwell is bringing her trademark energy to the court and beyond. She’ll be joining WeightWatchers in championing women’s wellness through movement, connection, and conversation both on and off the court.  

A multiple Triple Crown winner and current #1 Senior Female Pro in the world, Lee has dedicated her life to both the game she loves and to creating space for the women who helped build it. Lee is more than an athlete—she’s a co-founder of Game ChangeHER, a movement created to empower women in pickleball, especially senior pro players who are too often overlooked.  

“Senior pros are the ones who built the pathway for pickleball to be what it is today,” Lee explains. “Yet many of them aren’t on center court, aren’t getting the spotlight, and aren’t being compensated fairly for their role in the sport’s growth.”  

For Lee, this fight isn’t just about equity in pickleball—it’s also about women’s health. She openly shares her own journey navigating menopause while also living with Trigeminal Neuralgia, a chronic pain disorder. Despite daily challenges, Lee continues to train, compete, and inspire players worldwide.  

“Menopause and chronic pain don’t mean the end of competing or thriving,” Lee says. “It’s about listening to our bodies, fueling them with the right habits, and proving that strength and resilience only grow with time.”  

To support women navigating perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause, WeightWatchers introduced a new program designed to meet the specific health needs of women in these life stages. This new offering combines personalized nutritional guidance, fitness plans focused on strength and stability, and community support with access to clinicians. By addressing this often-overlooked area of women's health, WeightWatchers aims to provide a comprehensive and effective solution that delivers meaningful, sustained results. 

Game ChangeHER reflects this spirit—offering events that are not only about competing, but also about community, wellness, and rewriting what it means to be a woman athlete over 40.  

Learn more about Game ChangeHER Events—sign up for the Sunday Serve newsletter here.
Visit us at HLTH. 

About WeightWatchers 

WeightWatchers is the global leader in science-backed weight management, offering an integrated support system that combines scientific expertise and human connection. With more than 60 years of experience, WeightWatchers is the most studied commercial weight management program in the world, delivered through its No. 1 U.S. doctor-recommended weight-loss program. Its holistic, personalized approach also includes U.S.-based clinical interventions, medications when clinically appropriate, and a global network of coaches and community support. Since 1963, the company has surrounded its members with the support they need to reach and sustain their goals, wherever they are on their journey. Members can access these solutions directly, or through WeightWatchers for Business’ full-spectrum platform for employers, health plans, and payers. In a landscape crowded with contradictory advice, isolating apps, and one-size-fits-all solutions, WeightWatchers offers a proven path forward, grounded in empathy and designed to help every member feel better in their body and live a longer, healthier life. 

 About Game ChangeHer: 

Game ChangeHER hosts custom mixed clinics, destination camps, corporate programs, and travel experiences—creating spaces where pickleball brings people together while still honoring the pioneers of the game. Lee’s story is a reminder that women can—and should—take up space, at every age and every stage.