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.