Have you ever played a pickleball tournament and been so nervous that it affected your game? Or, do you lose your consistency in the middle of a match? This week on the podcast, Austin & Spencer share 10 Mental Tips that will improve your pickleball game! The Pickleheads dive deep into detail with each topic and are here to help your pickleball skills grow and thrive. Also on the pod, Spencer nerds out with the Backhand Roll as he explains the why, how, where and when of this extremely beneficial shot! Stick around until the end and we promise your picklehead will be full of new insights and strategies. Please follow us on Apple Podcasts & Spotify!

Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube: @pickleheadpod

Show Notes (Time Stamps):

0:00 Intro

1:37 (10) Mental Focus Tips!

57:18 Backhand Roll (what, where, why, when, how)

1:08:03 (2) Recent/Interesting Things in Pickleball

1:17:55 Closing Remarks

This week on the pod we interview Ben and Yana Newell, pickleball’s cutest couple. We dig deep into their pickleball minds to see what it takes to play with your better half. If you need advice on how to successfully play with your significant other, without damaging the relationship, you’ve come to the right place. Ben and Yana provide us with a lot of mental tips to be be triumphant in this sometimes difficult endeavor. Stick around as Ben explains how he beat the John’s brothers at PPA Newport and Yana teaches us how to gradually improve your pickleball game every day. From start to finish, this podcast has it all! Watch/listen and don’t forget to subscribe/follow! 

00:00 Intro/Backgrounds

16:05 How Ben & Yana met (yes, it’s pickleball related)

18:34 Advice on how to play w/ your significant other

23:27 How often do the Newells train together?

24:48 Best calves in the game!

27:18 Yana’s results at PPA Newport w/ Lauren Stratman

28:30 Ben & Yana know Jack Sock

31:30 How did Ben beat the John’s brothers?

44:50 What grips and what paddles do Ben & Yana use

50:58 Mental tips

55:30 Couples Quiz!

01:07:22 What’s next for the Newells?

01:08:37 Sponsorships and where to find them on social media

In this episode we interview Evan Slaughter, who you may know on social media as, “fit2serve”. Evan provides the podcast with big laughs, a great personal story, as well as motivation for all! Throughout the podcast, you will learn more about Evan’s interesting military history and his return to civilian life. He teaches us that it’s possible to overcome addiction and fight off dark times through comedy. In case you’re wondering, the answer is yes; Evan talks about how he was first introduced to pickleball and how it has become a staple in his life and on his social media page. Stick around to learn how to also grow your social media presence from one of the best in the biz. Come for the laughs… Stay for the inspiration! 

00:00 Intro

00:43 Evan’s Background & Military Experience

03:42 Return to Civilian Life & Addiction

07:52 How Evan Found Comedy (social media)

12:24 When Did Evan Find Pickleball?

13:00 Pickleball & Social Media

15:40 Evan’s Pickleball Paddle Sponsor

16:04 How Does Evan Come up with Material?

20:18 How Much Pickleball does Evan Play?

22:20 Serving & Inspiring Others

25:52 More on Evan’s Paddle Sponsorship

30:05 The Business Side of Social Media

34:43 Fitness (Mental/Physical) Love Yourself

41:25 Where to Find Evan on Social Media

42:00 Positivity through Laughter

47:21 What’s Important to Evan in Life?

51:25 What’s Next for Evan?

In this episode we interview Brendon Long, who’s been taking the professional pickleball world to the next level lately! Brendon shares how he first got introduced to pickleball, and what it takes to become a pro. He gives up all the inside details of his most recent gold at PPA Red Rock, which is quickly being considered the greatest men’s dubs match of all time! Stick around to learn inside strategies, such as paddle grips, poaching tips, and how to add more power to your game! Brendon also shows off his pickleball knowledge as we quiz him on all things pickleball. Will he ace it? Listen and find out!

00:00 Intro

In this podcast we interview singles giant, Frederico Staksrud, who shares with us his vast pickleball knowledge. Throughout the interview, Fed talks about how he came out of nowhere and finished 2nd at MLP Daytona with the BLQK Bears. Stick around as he teaches us the secrets to rapidly improving your pickleball game. You won’t want to miss the opportunity to get inside Fed’s Picklehead! 

In this episode we interview Major League Pickleball owner and player, Travis Rettenmaier. Travis is a former pro tennis player who has happily transitioned to pro pickleball. In the interview we talk about why tennis sucks, the recent MLP trades between the Florida Smash and the Las Vegas Night Owls, possible MLP rule changes and more! Travis also walks us through the details of his game and shares how anyone can improve with enough repetition and focus. Why did Travis trade away the #1 right side player in the game, Collin Johns? Why was one of the most consistent females, Jesse Irvine also traded away? Listen and find out. You won’t want to miss this episode!

00:00 - Intro

04:00 - Why did Travis start playing pickleball?

07:38 - Possible MLP rule changes and line call drama

16:57 - MLP Daytona Recap & Trade Details

33:30 - What Travis Loves & Hates about Pickleball

39:06 - Drive/Drop % in Mixed and Why

50:05 - What Grip Does Travis Hold and Why

52:15 - How to Develop a Nasty Backhand Counter

56:39 - Why is Hitting more Lobs

59:40 - Travis Has a New Men’s Partner at PPA Red Rock

01:07:57 - Mental Tips from Travis

01:09:26 - Austin & Spencer Review What They Learned from Travis

01:14:55 - MLP Predictions Review - How Did We Do?

In this episode we interview the incredible Pro Pickleball Player, DJ (Darrian) Young, who has been misunderstood in his recent paddle comments. DJ clarifies the current paddle deflection situation, shares pro pickleball strategy secrets, and is ready to take on any team that wants to get in his way at MLP Daytona! DJ also gives a match breakdown from PPA Austin and tells us who he will be playing mixed with at MLP Daytona. You won't want to miss the Right Side Demon talk about being prepared and what it takes to be a professional pickleball player!

00:00 - Intro

00:38 - DJ Young Interview

03:09 - Paddlegate 2.0

13:42 - PPA Austin (DJ Match Breakdown)

21:40 - DJ Explains what it takes to be a Pro

26:37 - DJ Explains his Grip and Why

40:01 - DJ Talks about upcoming MLP Daytona

51:40 - Pro Pickleball Drama (Behind the Scenes)

54:00 - DJ’s New Nickname (Will it stick?)

In this episode we interview new Pro Pickleballer, Collin Shick, who recently shocked the world by earning a Silver Medal at PPA Daytona! Collin shares his pickleball origin story, explains what helped him be so successful in his first PPA tournament, and provides many insights on how one might quickly take their game to the next level! You won't want to miss this new prodigy talk about mental toughness as well as share some detailed pickleball strategies. How did he beat some of the top pros in the biz? Stick around and find out!... Also on the pod, Austin shares a pickleball playbook tip, and he and Spencer make predictions for MLP Daytona!

00.00 - Intro

00.44 - Interview w/ Collin Shick

37.13 - Pickleball Playbook Minute

38:39 - MLP Daytona Predictions