Pickle Me This — Sharing the fun, friends & stories of rec pickleball play

Former pickleball skeptic Nikki never imagined a random flyer would change her life, but that's exactly what happened when she discovered the sport during a dark period earlier this year. It quickly became a lifeline, pulling her out of a mental funk and into a vibrant, multigenerational community she didn't even know existed in NYC. Within a year, Nikki went from doubter to devotee, launching two social media accounts and planning pickleball trips around the world. Her story proves that sometimes the thing you least expect can become the source of light, positivity, and transformation you desperately need.

Highlights

• How a serendipitous beer garden advertisement led Nikki to try pickleball for the first time
• The moment she realized pickleball was pulling her out of a dark mental space
• Playing alongside an 80-year-old and a 13-year-old on the same court and witnessing the unique multigenerational magic of the sport
• Discovering NYC's massive pickleball community after assuming it was just a "middle America thing"
• The rapid journey from nervous beginner to TikTok sensation @pickleballnikki
• Traveling the world to play pickleball and connect with players globally
• The power of leaning into new experiences even when you're nervous or doubtful

Chapters

00:00 Intro

04:11 Rescuing her dog from Korea

07:46 The serendipitous start to pickleball

13:50 Pickleball spanning generations is one of her favorite things

18:29 Playing pickleball in Portugal

21:49 How pickleball brought her old happy self back

26:52 How social media needs more happiness and positivity

28:24 The support she has received from her family and friends

31:20 The excitement of her social media accounts resonating with others

34:37 The joy and laughter of introducing her co-workers to the sport

36:26 Embarrassing moments on the courts and pet peeves

41:16 Aspirations of pickleball intertwined with global travel

43:10 Bucket list countries to travel to next

45:02 How playing for an hour is never enough

47:25 How she would describe herself to others

Meet Shayn, who discovered her fierce competitive side on the court. Between calling strategic timeouts that became the stuff of legends and surviving a ball machine disaster during her own wedding weekend, Shayn proves that pickleball is anything but boring. She dishes on why she plays with earbuds to stay in the zone, how the court became her unexpected place for self-discovery, and why pickleball shows you sides of people you never knew existed. Get ready for stories about thrift store paddle treasures, artistic surprises, and a journey from corporate life to consulting while falling head over heels for the game.

Highlights

• How playing pickleball gives you a new perspective on people
• Her biggest pet peeve: not following the system
• Meeting her wife in her very first college class
• The artist within: discovering her creative side beyond the court
• Finding her very first paddle as a treasure in a thrift store
• Why building relationships through sports is invaluable

Chapters

00:00 Shane's Journey to Pickleball

06:01 How pickleball helped her unlock her athleticism

09:14 How playing pickleball gives you a new perspective on people

12:00 Her playing style as a fierce competitor and the earbuds

15:33 The infamous league game when she called the time out

18:22 The ball machine fiasco during her wedding weekend festivities

20:26 Her biggest pet peeve .. not following the system!

24:21 Pickleball is her "mistress"

26:15 Transitioning from the corporate world to consulting

32:34 Meeting her wife in her first college class

36:16 Beyond pickleball: the artist within

38:18 Finding a treasure (her very first paddle) in a thrift store

When Issa Johnson's mom challenged him to a pickleball match, he had no idea it would ignite a family obsession that would change his life. From having to get revenge when his friend stole his partner for a tournament to pulling off a tweener shot that left his dad speechless, Issa's story captures the joy, chaos, and community that makes pickleball so addictive.

Highlights

• The trash talking that erupts when this competitive family hits the court together

• Being selective but inclusive about who he plays with and creating the right court culture
• Getting distracted by other courts' play and who's walking through the door (we've all been there)
• Pet peeves like people arguing over line calls and how it disrupts the game
• Why hiking might not be his thing but pickleball community events are

• Playing pickup in Miami and the surprise of discovering who he shared the court with
• Finding peace through fishing when he needs a break from the pickleball grind

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:54 How his mom got him and the rest of the family to play

06:07 The trash talking that happens when the family gets competitive

08:21 His Mom's wicked serve and him having to prove a point

09:49 The funny stories from playing in tournaments

14:31 The incredible tweener shot that stunned his Dad

16:39 Making life long friends from pickleball

18:48 Hiking? Maybe not his thing...

24:16 Being selective (but also inclusive) on who he plays with

26:19 It's way too easy to get distracted by other courts play and who is walking in the door

28:25 Pet peeves like people arguing over calling shots

31:46 Playing in Miami and realizing later who he played with that day

37:59 Fishing is where he finds his peace

After relocating 90 miles from family and friends, mom Brittany and teenage daughter Emma discovered pickleball—and it transformed everything. What started as a new activity in an unfamiliar place became the bridge that brought them closer together, helping Brittany navigate 17 years of depression following the devastating loss of her first daughter. Through tournaments, community celebrations (like Emma's first drive to the courts), and moments of deep vulnerability, this mother-daughter duo found healing, joy, and their people on the pickleball court.

Highlights:

• The awkward first tournament and the long, silent car ride home
• From constant bickering on the court to genuinely enjoying each other's company
• The heated confrontation after winning their first medal together
• The fierce but fun rivalry when mom and daughter face off as opponents
• Finding support during grief anniversary moments on the court
• The pickleball community's heartwarming reaction to Emma learning to drive
• Brittany's journey with depression and rediscovering her identity through the game
• Practical advice for other parents and teens considering playing together

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Brittany and Emma
• 01:38 A friend got them into pickleball after they moved
• 03:52 Navigating mother-daughter dynamics on the court
• 05:28 The long car ride home after their first tournament
• 07:06 The community is what really hooked them on the game
• 09:41 From bickering to bonding - the transformation
• 11:33 Telling her homeschoolers that they needed a physical activity
• 12:32 The rivalry between them when they play against each other
• 14:16 The confrontation when they won their first medal
• 17:33 What has surprised Brittany about Emma playing
• 19:36 Funny moments and shared laughter on the courts
• 22:50 Catching people off guard with a nasty Nelson
• 23:57 How the community rallied around Emma when she started driving
• 25:45 The moment Brittany realized she found her people in pickleball
• 27:32 The loss of her first daughter
• 29:58 Brittany got married at 18 and her marriage is still going strong
• 32:17 Rediscovering herself after motherhood
• 34:39 The bond of supporting each other when playing sports
• 36:27 Emma is looking forward to singles play at the PPA
• 39:52 Advice for other parents and teens who want to play together
  

Ever think pickleball was stupid before falling completely in love with it? Evan did too—until a money ball tournament changed everything. In this episode, the former soccer player turned competitive pickleballer reveals how the sport taught him unexpected patience, opened doors to genuine friendships and business connections, and challenged his mental game in ways he never anticipated. From showing up solo at courts to keeping spare gear in his car "just in case," Evan's journey proves pickleball is more than a game—it's a community that changes lives.

Highlights

• Why Evan initially dismissed pickleball as "stupid" until a money ball tournament hooked him
• From soccer fields to pickleball courts: how his lifelong athletic background shaped his competitive approach
• His professional career in health and fitness and how it connects to his pickleball journey

• The mental challenge that makes pickleball "the easiest sport to play, but the hardest to master"
• How showing up solo at courts leads to instant friendships and unexpected networking opportunities
• The patience required for shot selection—and why it's the most crucial strategy lesson
• His biggest pet peeve: partners making the wrong shot choices at critical moments
• Why he always keeps spare pickleball gear in his car, and a resulting funny story
• The business marketing he gets just from wearing his Solar Guy shirt on the courts
• His advice on drilling as the fastest path to improvement

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:42 How he thought pickleball was stupid when a friend first introduced it to him

03:18 How a money ball tournament finally interested him

07:55 Always being athletic and his soccer years

10:42 How his businesses got him started in pickleball

14:35 The mental game of pickleball

16:41 How cool it is to just show up at the courts and play

19:16 The free business marketing that comes from his Solar Guy shirt

23:09 His professional career in Fitness and Health

25:32 Sharing business advice on the courts

27:43 Most memorable moments on the courts

30:18 The patience to choose the right shot selection

34:35 Holding back on offering advice to others

35:00 Drilling is the best way to get better

38:33 The pickleball people he sees out in the "wild" and always keeping spare gear in his car, ready to play

41:00 His biggest pet peeve - the wrong shot selection from his partner

44:11 His future aspirations in pickleball

In this season finale, Deirdre sits down with Maddie and Jeramy, a couple who proves that pickleball isn't just a sport - it's a relationship game-changer. From competing against each other (with Maddie secretly hoping she'd finally found a sport where she could beat Jeramy) to creating their legendary friend group "Dinking Academy," their story is packed with laughs, love, and a few heated moments that almost canceled Christmas. You'll hear about their epic wedding week tournament, a honeymoon victory that came with unexpected perks, and how a simple paddle became the most thoughtful gift ever.

Highlights

• Meet two rec league addicts who somehow found time for yet another sport in their already packed schedules
• Maddie's confession about her secret competitive agenda against athletic Jeramy
• The Christmas meltdown that almost happened over a pickleball serve (yes, really)
• How golf evolved from Jeramy's excuse to enjoy time with friends outdoors into his serious #1 sport
• Why "Dinking Academy" is the perfect name for a bunch of gym friends who don't dink

• Two college kids who lived one floor apart but needed a dating app to finally meet six years later
• How extended family who traveled from far away for the wedding enjoyed the day-before tournament
• The honeymoon tournament win that came with a cool perk

• Why some recreational players need a serious reminder about the "recreational" part
• The family members who got sucked into the pickleball vortex thanks to these two

Chapters

00:00 Intro

04:27 Their active lives playing in many rec leagues

08:34 A reason to hang with friends, have fun and have a drink

12:08 Maddie hoping that pickleball would be the sport she was better than Jeramy at

14:00 Establishing the Dinking Academy to slow down their game - but has it?!

15:39 How their pickleball friends have become the ones they lean on

19:08 When pickleball brought the whole family together, the day before "I Do"

22:16 Living in the same dorm at college but not meeting until years later

25:04 Winning a pickleball tournament while on their honeymoon

28:37 How Christmas almost got canceled over Jeramy's new serve

32:23 People who are too serious when playing and the ones who call "out"

36:45 The joke about being out on the courts for "fun and fresh air"

40:55 A thoughtful gift - her first "nice" paddle

42:36 The impact of pickleball on strengthening their relationship with each other and more

45:38 Their passion for pickleball has been contagious for family members

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

What happens when your neighbor knocks at the door and your life plan falls apart? Morgan's story starts with playing with her partner and neighbor and leads to an unexpected obsession that saved her after her broken engagement. In this raw and hilarious episode, Morgan reveals how pickleball became her lifeline during the darkest period of her life. From getting a fat lip the size of a pickleball hole to discovering a community that rallied around her when she needed it most, this former gymnast's journey is heart warming. Warning: her addiction to the sport is contagious.

Highlights

• A stranger's knock at the door became her salvation
• From broken engagement to "pickleball princesses" group chat
• The fat lip that was perfectly pickleball-hole sized but didn't deter her
• Reigniting the competitive drive she didn't realize she missed
• The community that showed up when her world fell apart
• Playing in any weather because addiction doesn't care about comfort
• The comeback tournament win that won her gold
• Why she can't imagine life without this "crazy" sport anymore

Chapters

02:10 A knock at the door inspired her pickleball journey

07:11 An athletic background of gymnastics and cheerleading

09:49 The "pickleball princesses" girl group chat

11:11 A sense of belonging with the pickleball community

15:16 Pickleball as a lifeline during difficult times

19:36 Support from her pickleball friends after her breakup

23:14 Playing when it's freezing outside to when you are sweltering

25:00 Getting a fat lip from a ball during play

26:54 Assuming women don't play as hard

28:31 Coming from behind to win gold in a tournament

33:11 The impact of playing in women's league

34:58 When you know you are really addicted to the sport

39:00 Imagining life today without pickleball

What happens when a tough-as-nails fighter and security professional discovers pickleball? Shawn Paul's story will draw you in. From throwing punches to serving aces, he reveals how this "simple" sport literally saved his life, connected him with strangers who became family, and turned him into a traveling pickleball evangelist. Shawn's story is a testament to resilience, personal growth, and the power of community in sports.

Highlights

• Life-changing transformation - How pickleball pulled him back from the brink and gave him purpose
• Stranger becomes family - The incredible Naples story that will restore your faith in humanity

• Cross-country pickleball adventures - Epic travels and the characters he's met along the way
• Social media magic - How he's building genuine connections in the digital age
• The unwritten rules - What "playing accordingly" really means and why it matters
• Random acts of kindness - The new shoes story that'll make you smile
• Court pet peeves revealed - The behaviors that drive even the nicest players crazy
• Why it's addictive - The real reason you can't stop playing once you start

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:14 His life in private security and as a competitive fighter

12:11 Working at the YMCA as the pickleball coordinator

13:51 How pickleball saved his life

16:00 It's up to you to decide what kind of player you want to be

21:15 The amazing pepople he has met through pickleball

22:44 The gracious stranger in Naples who took him in

28:05 His adventures traveling the country playing

29:45 Shawn Paul hero patrol and his appreciation for law enforcement

32:17 His social media presence and personal connections

34:22 "Reading the room" and dropping F bombs

36:08 Pet peeves like jumping too fast and calling "You!"

39:34 The generosity of strangers - new pair of shoes

41:03 Practicing kindness and how you treat people

44:49 The addictiveness of the sport

Meet Jason, the creative mind behind TikTok's Destination Dink! What started as his wife's gentle nudging during COVID turned into a life-changing journey filled with unexpected friendships, daily mood boosts, and creating viral pickleball content that has resonated with many. Jason proves that it's never too late to find your community - and have a blast doing it.

Highlights

• From reluctant to obsessed — Jason's complete 180 on a sport he initially avoided
• How pickleball became his daily mental health game-changer
• Why his relatable TikToks resonate with so many players
• Career meets passion project — leveraging marketing skills to grow the pickleball community
• When pickleball replaces everything else you used to do, and what was that again??
• Jason's philosophy on keeping the fun in the game
• Using his Destination Dink TikTok account to unite players across the globe
• Building genuine friendships and connections beyond just hitting balls

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:31 His wife finally convincing him to play during COVID

03:54 Being critical on the courts to the ones we love the most

06:16 Looking forward to playing after work each day and the mood uplift

09:00 Celebrating holidays with others on the courts

10:17 The "always out" guy is his biggest pet peeve

12:47 Getting pickled when they least expected it

16:16 The rise of his Destination Dink account on TikTok

19:03 Playing pickleball vs. golf at home and on trips

21:20 The fun content he enjoys making for TikTok

23:26 How his career in digital marketing has influenced him

26:10 The rebranding of pickleball names & rules to be cool

27:37 Building friendships through the game

29:58 The social impact of pickleball on daily life

33:02 Bringing connection and a sense of purpose for empty nesters

35:05 Favorite part of connecting with the broader pickleball community