Gina and Neil recorded this one live at Pickleball Kingdom in Menomonee Falls, WI, where the courts stay full and the community is the whole point. They dig into why pickleball facilities are exploding, how each one builds its own culture, and why people show up at the same place day after day.

Throughout the episode, they bring a rotating cast of players and instructors into the conversation: new players trying their first tournament, longtime athletes crossing over from other sports, die-hard community members who treat Pickleball Kingdom like a second home, and even a few surprise guests who flip the script and start interviewing them. They wrap with a look at Vibe Getaways and why pickleball trips have become the sport’s newest obsession.

It’s loose, funny, and full of the stuff you only hear when the mics are set up courtside.

👇 Follow + subscribe:
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Gina and Neil are back, and they’re diving straight into the side of pickleball nobody likes to admit exists: the drama.

From pro-level chaos to everyday rec-court fallouts, the sport is seeing friendships end, relationships blow up, and reputations shift fast. In this episode, they walk through what they’ve witnessed, what they’ve experienced, and why character matters more than any ranking or match result.

The real question every player should ask: What do you want to be known for?

Gina and Neil also highlight the people who consistently show up with integrity, because not everything is messy, and some players genuinely set the standard.

It’s honest, direct, and very much Keeping It Real.

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Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com
Instagram → @empowerpickleball
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At a recent NPL event, Gina was struggling with serious back pain when she stumbled across Xtreme Brands, a pharmaceutical-grade wellness company known for their CBD-based products. One quick try of their CBD Pain Relief Balm and Spray, and the results? Immediate. Neil tested it on his knees... same story.

We’re talking about what makes these products work, what’s inside them, and why they’re worth keeping in your pickleball bag.

👉 Shop Xtreme Brands: https://xtreme-brands.com/
🎟️ Use code GINA for a discount on your order.

Why We Love It:
✔️ Pharmaceutical-grade ingredients
✔️ Fast, noticeable relief
✔️ Non-greasy, easy to use
✔️ Smells great

💬 Let us know if you’ve tried it! We love discovering products that actually work for athletes and everyday players.

👇 Follow + subscribe:
Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com
Instagram → @empowerpickleball
TikTok → @empowerpickleball

In this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, we’re diving into the mental side of pickleball, from quirky rituals and nervous habits to how we motivate ourselves (and our partners) when the game gets rough.

We’ve all been there. You lose a few points in a row, your partner’s off their rhythm, and the pressure’s creeping in. So what do you do? Take a timeout? Shake it off? Crack a joke? Neil calls it “the game of runs,” and he’s right... pickleball moves fast, but there’s always another rally, another reset, another chance to get it together.

How do you handle the mental swings? What’s your go-to reset when things start to spiral? And maybe the bigger question... how do you bring your partner back up without making it worse?

🎧 Tune in for an honest, funny, and relatable chat about staying grounded on the court, handling pressure, and embracing all the weird rituals that make us who we are as players.

This episode is sponsored by Centerline.
Performance pickleball apparel that fits, on and off the court.
Our listeners get 20% off with code EMPOWER20 at checkout.
👉 Shop Centerline here: https://bit.ly/3J3oPuv

👇 Follow + subscribe:
Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com
Instagram → @empowerpickleball
TikTok → @empowerpickleball

In this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, it’s all about paddles — where they started, how they’ve evolved, and where innovation is headed next.

Neil shares a bit of family history from the early days of Pro Lite Pickleball and breaks down the details of the wooden paddles players had to use at the recent PPA Sacramento Vintage Open. From handle length and paddle faces to weaving patterns and honeycomb cores, Gina and Neil take you through the shifts that changed how the game is played.

They also look ahead at trends in paddle design, what passes (and fails) in the approval process, the role of R&D, and whether your paddle actually matches your style of play.

If you’ve ever wondered how we went from heavy wooden paddles to textured carbon fiber weapons — this one’s for you.

👇 Follow + subscribe:
Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com
Instagram → @empowerpickleball
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Pickleball is fun, social, and healthy—but what happens when it takes over your entire life? Gina and Neil dive into the growing obsession with the sport and how it can spill into every area of life, from friendships and relationships to work and responsibilities. They talk about what makes pickleball so addictive, how to find balance between passion and everyday life, and why it’s important to have joy outside of the court.

They love the game, but they don’t need to play every single day—and they want to know how you see it. Are you noticing pickleball becoming too much for people around you, or maybe even for yourself? Share your thoughts and join the conversation.

👇 Follow + subscribe:
Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com
Instagram → @empowerpickleball
TikTok → @empowerpickleball

This week’s episode is packed with real match talk and lessons from the court. Gina shares her run in the senior pro bracket at the APP Chicago Open, while Neil breaks down his local flex league tournament — including how he adjusted against opponents towering at 6’7” and 6’8”. The two dive into strategies for handling taller players, why partner chemistry is everything, and how trust builds when you play with someone new.

They also explore what it means to learn from high-level competitors, from facing D1 tennis players to finding confidence against elite talent. Wrapping up, Gina and Neil talk coaching — highlighting styles, strengths, and how court positioning and awareness are key to growth.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing with a new partner?

👇 Follow + subscribe:
Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com
Instagram → @empowerpickleball
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Everyone has that first game they fell in love with — the one that sparked endless hours of practice in the driveway, backyard, or garage. In this episode, they reflect on the athletes they admired growing up, the games that shaped them, and how all those moments paved the way for falling head over heels for pickleball.

They explore why pickleball brings back that childhood joy: the kind that makes you feel lighter, more playful, and simply happy to be out on the court. 

From Zane and Tyson’s serves to funny sideline stories, to the teammates who remind us to just have fun, this conversation is all about what makes pickleball more than competition — it’s about rediscovering the love of the game.

👉 Drop a comment: What was the first game you loved that led you to pickleball?

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Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com
Instagram → @empowerpickleball
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How do you go from hitting around at the local rec center to competing on the national stage? In this episode, Gina and Neil dig into the pathway of a pickleball player: starting with those first rallies at community gyms and rec departments, and eventually working up to tournaments both big and small.

They talk about what it’s like to sign up for your first local event, the transition into regional and age-based competition, and how developmental leagues are shaping the next wave of players. Gina and Neil also touch on the role of APP and PPA as players broaden their horizons, and how community remains at the heart of the sport no matter what level you’re playing at.

Along the way, they share their own stories and experiences, giving listeners a clear picture of what the journey can look like for anyone wondering what comes after casual rec play. Whether you’re just discovering pickleball or dreaming of bigger stages, this episode breaks down the steps to get there.

👇 Follow + subscribe:
Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com
Instagram → @empowerpickleball
TikTok → @empowerpickleball

This week’s episode takes on one of Gina’s favorite topics: the delusional player. You know the type: the ones signing up for pro brackets without a shot at qualifying, the 3.5s decked out in flashy gear, or the players asking if they “have what it takes to go pro” while treating others with a sense of entitlement.

Gina and Neil talk about the fine line between confidence and ego, how fragile egos can keep players from improving, and why humility and honest feedback matter more than inflated ratings. Gina shares a story about playing with someone who claimed a 4.0 DUPR but couldn’t get past no man’s land, and Neil explains how feedback and playing up can help players actually grow instead of staying stuck in delusion.

This conversation isn’t about tearing people down. It’s about recognizing reality, embracing competition, and learning from losses with a clear head.

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👇 Follow + subscribe:
Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com
Instagram → @empowerpickleball
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