From teenage friends to pickleball besties! In this heartwarming and hilarious episode of Pickle Me This, host Deirdre dives into the evolving friendship between Anh and Jennifer — who initially disliked each other but now can't imagine life without each other and pickleball. With laugh-out-loud stories about their wrong-door entrance that stopped the courts, secret on-court communication codes, and "one more game" mishaps that literally sent them flying, this episode captures the true magic of pickleball.

Highlights

• From teenage frenemies to inseparable pickleball partners — the ultimate "enemies to besties" story!

• Secret hand signals, trash talk tactics, and the hilarious truth about keeping score
• "One more game" gone wrong: - when enthusiasm meets gravity (and gravity wins)
• The sacred post-game ritual that involves food, more food, and did we mention food?
• Why they refuse to let anyone "take it easy" on them—and how they're proving doubters wrong
• Finding belonging in the pickleball community (even when you can't remember anyone's name)
• Their mission to show everyone "we're not the same players we were last year"
• How pickleball transformed their friendship from occasional hangouts to quality time every week

Chapters

00:00 How they became friends as teenagers

03:38 The Journey to Pickleball

04:11 Jenn had to harass Anh to just try pickleball

07:25 Everyone stopped playing to watch them come in the wrong door

09:46 The moment they knew they were hooked

10:31 Their playing dynamic is about having fun

11:23 Trash talking and competition

15:45 Their secret communication style on the courts

18:24 Challenges and frustrations

19:59 Post game ritual - eating!

22:04 "As long as I don't get hit" - and getting hit in the face

24:54 Staying for "one more" and falling flat

28:16 Pet peeves - when people "take it easy" on you

29:40 Anh is the official score keeper

32:51 Finding belonging and forgetting people's names

35:33 The surprising and fun things about finding community

37:25 Personal growth through pickleball

39:45 Wanting to prove themselves: we're better now

43:24 Future aspirations in pickleball

45:01 Strengthening their friendship with more quality time