After a life-changing automobile accident at 18, Hydred Goldberg faced a fundamental question: what would the rest of her life look like?

In Part 2 of her Legends of the Cue story, the future two-time WPA Parasport Heyball World Champion describes the decisions that gave her independence—and ultimately led her to the pool table.

Learning to drive became a major turning point. Soon afterward, Hydred moved by herself to San Diego, enrolled in college and eventually earned a degree in psychology while studying fine arts. Determined to discover what remained possible, she experimented with adaptive swimming, skiing, racing and even considered paragliding. But another activity eventually captured her imagination far more completely.

Pool.

Hydred takes us inside Palace Billiards in Vallejo, where the bright public room gave way to a more serious back room filled with action players, tight tables, smoke and an atmosphere that fascinated the self-described “good girl.” Later, College Billiards and On Cue Billiards became important parts of her San Diego pool education.

With virtually no blueprint for playing from a wheelchair, Hydred taught herself through experimentation. She discusses adapting her stroke, chair position, bridge use and equipment, including the elusive extra-long telescoping bridge wheelchair players still seek today.

The conversation also reaches Hydred’s other great creative life: special-effects makeup, including work around San Diego Comic-Con and doing makeup for stars of the WPBA—including Allison Fisher herself.

Hydred also explores her Filipino identity, her admiration for Efren Reyes, and why a future trip to the Philippines carries such personal meaning.

It is the story of an artist, a pool player and a woman gradually discovering where all those identities intersect.

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Music by Lyrium.

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a cue sports history podcast featuring interviews with Hall of Fame members, world champions, and influential figures from across the world of cue sports—including pocket billiards, snooker, and carom disciplines such as three-cushion billiards. We highlight the people, places, and moments that have shaped the game—celebrating iconic players, memorable events, historic venues, and the brands that helped define generations of play. With a focus on the positive spirit of the sport, our goal is to create a rich, engaging, and timeless archive of stories that fans can enjoy now and for years to come.

Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher and Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, Legends of the Cue brings these stories to life—told in the voices of the game’s greatest figures.

Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cu...