Mandy Sacks Harnoy has such an inspirational Pickleball story. After being down in the dumps due to health issues and the death of her father, Mandy reluctantly agreed to try the sport when a friend asked. The result of going to the courts that day changed her life so much that she now inspires and motivates others to improve their health.
The Pickleball Doctor, Noe Sariban, talks about injury prevention and rehabilitation. His key tip for avoiding injuries and improving your game is to have proper footwork.
Dan Beeman's enthusiasm for the sport of Pickleball is amazing as evidenced by him naming his place in Palm Desert, California the Pickleball Palace. When I talked to him I definitely felt like he is the Renaissance Man of the game as he is not only an ambassador and instructor but he also wrote his master's thesis on Pickleball and an award winning comedy movie script on the sport.
I have talked to a lot of pros on the Pickleball Fire podcast but I don't think I've ever heard such a complete teaching system for Pickleball as the one Tim Hensley has developed. It is called TRUST and it came from Tim's experience as a frustrated professional tennis player. Be sure to give this episode a listen as he has some great insights that go way beyond just teaching how to have the proper technique.
Jonny Pickleball Andrews is quite the showman on and off the court. He not only plays professionally but also creates entertaining events such as the Jonny Pickleball show and Around the Post, a Youtube video show covering controversial topics in the sport of Pickleball.
I love these podcast episodes where the guests provide tip after tip after tip for how to improve your game. And Coach Andy does just that in this show which is jam packed with things you should know from how much of the court you can cover based on your height to where you should target your dinks and third shot drop.
Ashley Owens of Court Reserve talks about Pickleball club software and how it can help manage your courts, clinics, and lessons. She and her husband Tim developed the software which can help organizations from small parks or home owners associations to large facilities.
Ben Paquette has such an inspiring story when it comes to Pickleball. He knew the sport was going to change his life and it certainly has as he is now a teaching pro in the Dallas, TX area. This is a must listen to episode complete with some awesome tips for having intention on the court.
Thomas Shields just started The Dink Pickleball website and newsletter in the Fall of 2020. But he has experienced rapid growth as he started covering professional tournaments both with live blog coverage and the creation of tournament video highlights. Thomas is focused on growing the game of Pickleball and is using social media to do it.
Pickleball is a fun sport as any addict will tell you. However, fellow podcaster Tony Roig, who hosts the Pickleball Therapy podcast, talks about how the game can also be very frustrating. So, get ready for some tips on how to deal with having a bad day on the court and remember what's really important about the game.
Don Stanley, the head referee for the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), brings his in depth knowledge and humor to the Pickleball Fire podcast in an interview all about rules. He talks about many of the hot topics in Pickleball such as the chainsaw serve and drop serve. Don also goes in depth about player disputes, appeals, and the responsibilities of referees. This is a must listen to episode which is jam packed with things we should know about as Pickleball players.
Scott Fliegelman calls Pickleball his back to the future sport as he uses his experience as an endurance athlete in preparing for senior pro tournament events. He talks about his magical week at the U.S. Open where he had the chance to play with the one of the best players in the world. Scott also gives some of the best tips I've heard when it comes to getting the best from your Pickleball partner.
Brad Walker is well known as the stretch coach and he brings his expertise to the podcast to talk about how you can improve your flexibility and how this helps your Pickleball game. While many of us just jump right in and start playing Pickleball, he stresses the importance of what you should be doing before, during, and after our time on the court.
Since 2010 Deb Harrison has been coaching Pickleball and making videos for the sport. Her knowledge of the game is incredible so during this interview we talk about some things you may have never heard of before such as the chop, loop, and hair pin drop. I think anyone who listens to this episode will learn something new that you can use to improve your game.
Randy Sussman didn't take his friend's advice in regard to starting a Pickleball apparel business. So, he started PB 1965 and is partnered with well known professional Kyle Yates on the endeavor. Randy talks about what it takes to manufacturer clothing that helps you to keep cool when playing and the uniqueness of their signature hoodie.
It's funny that Kyle Yates, who is in his mid twenties, feels old in the Pickleball world. But he has already accomplished so much in the sport both at the professional level and in the business aspect of the game. Kyle definitely has a passion for the game and it comes across in the interview. He also talks about how to make it difficult for your opponent and the importance of a having a game plan.
Andrea Koop and Maggie Remynse are sisters and both Pickleball professionals competing at the highest level in the game. They talk about the challenges in playing with and against each other during tournaments and also how they balance being two of the best players in the world with full-time careers outside of the game.
Coach Russell runs an absolutely amazing boot camp for Pickleball players in North Carolina. He brings together eight of the top pros for each camp and in this interview he gives his top three tips from these world class instructors. We also discuss the difference between a Pickleball camp and actual boot camp.
While Ernesto Fajardo is still in university, he is the second ranked men's Pickleball player in Canada. During the podcast he talks about the state of Pickleball in Canada plus his academic and Pickleball goals.
I really had a lot of fun interviewing senior professional John Sperling. He is so full of energy and enthusiasm which really comes across on the show. Plus, he gave some great tips on how to improve your defense and figure out you opponent's patterns so you can defeat them.
Mircea Morariu finished second in senior pro doubles at the 2021 U.S. Open, but he says he still has a lot of room for improvement. He talks in depth about what else he is working on and what it takes to progress beyond the early rounds of a tournament to the semis, finals, and winning gold.
Shea Underwood isn't a Pickleball professional yet. But he is well on his way to achieving his goal after being a football kicker at Georgia Tech University. We really cover a lot of ground in this interview but I think Shea has a really great perspective on developing a system to play Pickleball when competing at high levels in the sport. This is really one of my favorite interviews as we talk about Shea's journey to becoming a professional Pickleball player.
Pickleball professional Taylor Niss, like many people, found a new hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic. She now bakes healthy treats for her family and friends. The great thing about this is they all now have more energy on the Pickleball court so listen on for what Taylor is baking and how you can feel better on the court too.
I spoke with J Hall, better know as Gizmo, during planting season on his farm. He is not only growing crops but the lives of young people through Pickleball. Gizmo also talks about his growing up in the inner city, what he feels his purpose in life is, and why he wears colorful outfits on the court. This is a must listen to episode as Gizmo's story is so inspirational.
Diadem Sports recently jumped into the Pickleball market after having success producing tennis equipment. Evan Specht talks about how they plan to use the same blue print in Pickleball where they manufacture paddles in small batches and use 3d cameras in the development of products. He also discusses what makes their first paddle, the Icon, a great offering for Pickleball players.
When Linda Thompson first started playing Pickleball, she was called one of the Original Banger Sisters. Fast forward a few years, and she is now a top senior pro with a well-rounded Pickleball game including the soft shots. We talk about how to beat bangers and also how the professional game is becoming more aggressive so her natural attacking style is also serving her well.
Altaf Merchant's dedication to Pickleball is amazing so it's no wonder he has spent plenty of time on the podium in professional events. In the interview, he walks through the things he does to make sure he is at the top of his game. Near the end of the discussion, he talks about his really amazing daily schedule so ensures a balance between family, work, and Pickleball.
Pickleball professional Corrine Carr talks about how the COVID-19 pandemic actually helped her game. She also goes in depth on how to hit a block volley and practice this skill to improve your game.
Have you ever dreamed of taking your RV on the road after you retire and playing Pickleball around the country? Well, Cindy Macall is living the dream so she shares her experiences about travelling along the west coast in her RV with her husband playing Pickleball in different locations. She also talks in depth about how to work with cities and home owners associations to get Pickleball courts built and resurfaced.
The #1 most requested person to have on the Pickleball Fire podcast is CJ Johnson. She is well known as an expert in not only Pickleball but also health and fitness. We were able to connect for an episode so listen for some great tips on how to stay healthy and injury free and improve your Pickleball game by getting fitter.
