Vladee and his family have become legendary in the Raleigh pickleball community for their incredible warmth and welcoming spirit. Over nine years in the sport, Vladee and his family have earned a reputation as the unofficial "welcome committee" at the local rec courts, greeting every new player with genuine kindness and infectious positivity. While they're all skilled players, what truly sets them apart is how they make everyone feel included and valued on the courts. From family dynamics and tournament adventures to the mental game challenges we all face, this conversation celebrates the beautiful community connections that make pickleball so much more than just a sport.

Highlights

• How Vladee's entire family became the beloved "welcome committee" of Raleigh's rec courts
• The contagious effect of starting pickleball together as a family at the YMCA
• Mastering the mental game
• Why a positive mindset can put nervous players at ease instantly
• Tournament stories from scenic Utah courts to nearly passing out from heat
• The family bickering and coaching dynamics that every pickleball family will relate to
• How genuine kindness on the courts creates lifelong friendships
• Why picking on weaker players is the ultimate pickleball pet peeve
• The magic of turning strangers into your pickleball family through pure warmth

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:53 The family starting together at the YMCA

04:27 How it becomes a mental game and you get into your own head

08:03 Overcoming the mental challenge of the early days

10:10 His dad getting hooked and it being contagious

11:44 The family dynamics of playing together - the bickering & coaching

14:01 The power of a positive mindset and putting people at ease

17:44 A pickleball haven in Utah with beautiful scenery

21:02 Playing in his first tournament with his brother Kenny

24:05 Almost heat stroke during a summer tournament

27:52 Pickleball in the hot summer vs. the cold winters

32:12 His family being the welcome committee at the rec courts

37:49 People who have become an important part of his life, through the sport

42:25 Picking on the weaker player is his biggest pet peeve

44:24 His favorite moments on the courts