ESPN's Senior League Insiders Shams Charania (NBA), Adam Schefter (NFL) and Jeff Passan (MLB) recently joined host Jeremy Schaap on The Sports Reporters to discuss the concept of work-life balance in their respective positions.

Charania, Schefter and Passon hold some of the most demanding jobs in sports journalism anywhere on the planet just because of the nature of the role.

They are tasked with being "plugged in" 24/7 to get any relevant league information first, scoop competitors, and provide instant analysis on a moment's notice.

That comes with a price, of course.

"There are very few instances in our lives where you forget that your phone is on you, you forget what your job is, where you actually pause and enjoy life," explained Schefter. "You live these jobs, and there are very, very few moments where you feel like you're disconnected from the job. It almost never happens, and when you can escape for an hour or two and forget about what you're supposed to do, that is a reminder of how daunting and challenging these jobs are, how much they require."

Passan was definitely in agreement there.

But he took things one step further by emphasizing the importance of taking a break somewhere along the line whenever possible.

"There are very few jobs like this, not just in sports journalism, not just in journalism, but anywhere, that are all-consuming," added Passan. "I try to find balance. I do my very best. As obsessive as we have to be, there needs to be something else. Whether you find that something else in [your] kids or otherwise, you've got to find it, or this job will kill you."

That prompted Schaap to ask a key question.

"So what do you guys do to get away? What do you do to actually find some balance, some serenity, on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, whatever it can be?"

It wasn't long before pickleball entered the conversation.

"The one thing that I do, like how I'm able to get away, is just family time. My whole family's in Chicago, I'm in Chicago, so we're all here and we're all in very close proximity," shared Charania. "So it's like the little things. It could be going on a walk, it could be going to mini-golf, it could be like playing pickleball, watching a movie together. Now, I might not be fully present during those moments. Like we were literally playing pickleball, this is right before [NBA] free agency, this is the weekend before free agency started, and I had to fly to Bristol. This is maybe that Friday, and we were playing pickleball, and I literally lasted 10 minutes on the court. They were maybe there for an hour and a half, and I was just literally pacing on the field for whatever it was, 50-60 minutes. That's just what it is."

While Charania didn't really get to enjoy the experiece that day, it's nice to hear that pickleball is among his favorite pastimes when his schedule permits.

Passan, meanwhile, applauded his colleague for picking up a paddle during one of the busiest periods of the calendar year.

Like Charania, he appreciates the game as well.

"Pickleball right before the deadline is impressive, Shams. I respect you for that," he said. "And pickleball has become like a good, fun summer activity. I'm with you."