Send us Fan Mail

Episode 20 is here and we are going full send. 

This week: a live pickleball news desk covering everything happening in June 2026, MLP New York, the $225 million investment into Pickleball Inc., and the Pickle Money Ball circuit putting real prize money in front of amateur players. 

Then we profile the most dominant athlete in pickleball history, Anna Leigh Waters, 19 years old, 181 gold medals, 94.3% career win rate, and break down three things every recreational player can steal from her game right now. Plus: the PPR 20 Protocol, a four-week performance and recovery challenge for every listener. This is the milestone episode. Don't miss it.

Topics: pickleball 2026, Anna Leigh Waters, Major League Pickleball 2026, MLP New York 2026, PPA Tour 2026, pickleball news June 2026, Pickle Money Ball, pickleball recovery, pickleball performance tips, amateur pickleball tournament, best pickleball podcast, pro pickleball player tips, Paddle Pro Balm, pickleball injury prevention, pickleball training.

🟡 Shop Paddle Pro Balm: https://paddleprobalm.com/
🏓 Mint Sport Paddles: https://mintsport.com/
📖 Pickleball + ADHD Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1C2TRKY

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm

Send us Fan Mail

He won a Super Bowl. 

He threw for more yards than anyone in NFL history at the time of his retirement. He's a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. And now Drew Brees is all-in on pickleball, owning a Major League Pickleball team, developing 30 Picklr franchise locations, hosting his own annual pickleball festival, and even creating an entirely new sport. In Episode 19 we tell the full story, from his near career-ending shoulder injury in 2005, to his legendary NFL comeback, to what the Drew Brees pickleball story means for every player in this community.

Topics: Drew Brees pickleball, NFL players pickleball, Drew Brees The Picklr, celebrity pickleball, Major League Pickleball, LA Mad Drops, NFL shoulder injury recovery, pickleball recovery, athlete recovery lessons, pickleball performance, pickleball growing sport, Drew Brees Super Bowl, pickleball franchise, Paddle Pro Balm.

🟡 Shop Paddle Pro Balm: https://paddleprobalm.com/
🏓 Mint Sport Paddles: https://mintsport.com/
📖 Pickleball + ADHD Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1C2TRKY

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm

Send us Fan Mail

Most sports recovery products are built on a neurological distraction — they mask pain at the nerve ending without ever addressing the inflammation underneath. In this episode we expose the problem, break down the science of transdermal delivery and the Endocannabinoid System, and explain why plant-based botanical recovery is the new standard for pickleball players at every level.

Topics: pickleball recovery, pickleball elbow pain, pickleball knee pain, pickleball shoulder injury, best recovery balm pickleball, organic sports recovery, transdermal pain relief, plant-based sports recovery, endocannabinoid system athletes, pickleball injury treatment, natural pain relief athletes, anti-inflammatory recovery, sports gel vs balm, Paddle Pro Balm, pickleball muscle soreness, pickleball performance.

🟡 Shop Paddle Pro Balm: https://paddleprobalm.com/
🏓 Mint Sport Paddles: https://mintsport.com/
📖 Pickleball + ADHD Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1C2TRKY

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm

Send us Fan Mail

Most pickleball injuries are not freak accidents, they're accumulated debt from playing cold, session after session. In Episode 17, we break down exactly why static stretching is the wrong tool before pickleball, what dynamic warm-up actually does to your joints and muscles, and the five-move routine you can do in five minutes at the court fence before every session.

Topics: pickleball warm up routine, dynamic warm up pickleball, how to warm up for pickleball, pickleball injury prevention, rotator cuff pickleball, thoracic spine mobility, pickleball shoulder injury, pickleball knee pain, pickleball hip flexor, static vs dynamic stretching, pickleball longevity, pickleball performance tips, Paddle Pro Balm, pickleball recovery.

Shop Paddle Pro Balm: https://paddleprobalm.com/
Mint Sport Paddles (recommended): https://mintsport.com/
Pickleball + ADHD Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1C2TRKY

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm

Send us Fan Mail

You found the sport. You bought the paddle. Now what?

This episode is the complete pickleball beginner's guide — the stuff nobody actually tells you before your first day on a public court. The unwritten rules. The social system. The four rules you genuinely need to know. And the body prep truth that most new players find out the hard way.

Whether you're a brand new player who just discovered the fastest-growing sport in America, or a seasoned regular who wants to finally send something useful to that friend on the fence — Episode 16 of the Pickleball Recovery and Performance Podcast is exactly what you've been looking for.

🏓 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:
✅ How pickleball open play actually works — the paddle queue, the rotation system, and how to blend in on day one
✅ Why telling people you're a beginner is your single biggest advantage (not a weakness)
✅ The net meetup — the one ritual every player must know
✅ The kitchen rule (non-volley zone) explained in plain English
✅ The two-bounce rule — why it exists and how to execute it correctly
✅ Pickleball scoring explained — what "3-2-1" actually means
✅ Why control always beats power for new players
✅ The 4-step physical prep checklist that prevents beginner injuries
✅ Why your running shoes are a liability on the pickleball court
✅ Forearm soreness in week one — what's normal and what's a warning sign
✅ How Paddle Pro Balm fits into your first-week recovery plan

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Welcome & what's different about this episode
01:30 – The parking lot moment every new player knows
03:00 – How open play works: queue, transparency, and the net tap
05:30 – Paddle Pro Balm sponsor break
06:30 – The 4 rules you actually need to know before you play
09:30 – The body prep section nobody warns beginners about
12:00 – Rapid-fire full recap
13:15 – Outro: pull the sticker off your paddle

🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES:
🟡 Paddle Pro Balm — Recovery balm built for paddle sport athletes → https://paddleprobalm.com/
🏓 Mint Sport — Our recommended pickleball paddle partner → https://mintsport.com/
📖 Pickleball & ADHD — Cole's book on Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1C2TRKY

🔑 TOPIC KEYWORDS:
pickleball for beginners, how to start playing pickleball, pickleball open play, pickleball court etiquette, pickleball rules explained, the kitchen rule pickleball, two bounce rule pickleball, pickleball scoring for beginners, pickleball gear for beginners, best pickleball paddle for beginners, pickleball warmup routine, pickleball injury prevention, forearm pain pickleball, pickleball recovery, fastest growing sport 2025, Paddle Pro Balm, pickleball podcast, pickleball tips, learn pickleball fast, pickleball beginner mistakes

⭐ ENJOYING THE SHOW?
→ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it takes 2 minutes and directly grows this show
→ Share this episode with the one person in your life who keeps saying they want to try pickleball
→ Subscribe so you never miss a weekly episode

The Pickleball Recovery and Performance Podcast publishes every week — covering beginner guides, recovery science, performance training, injury prevention, nutrition, and the mental game for paddle sport players at every level.

🎙️ Hosted by Cole Stegman | Presented by Paddle Pro Balm
🌐 https://paddleprobalm.com/

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm

Send us Fan Mail

If you've ever woken up the day after pickleball completely destroyed — legs like cement, shoulders on fire, quads staging a full rebellion — you've probably heard someone say "it's just the lactic acid buildup."

They're wrong. And in this episode, we fix that.

In Episode 15 of the Pickleball Recovery and Performance Podcast by Paddle Pro Balm, we break down one of the biggest myths in sports science and give you five research-backed recovery strategies you can use starting today. Whether you're a competitive player, a weekend warrior, or someone who picked up a paddle six months ago and now has a serious problem — this one's for you.

🔬 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:
✅ What lactic acid actually does in your muscles (it's not the villain)
✅ What DOMS really is and why it peaks 24–72 hours after play
✅ The 5 recovery strategies that get you back on the court faster
✅ Zone 2 training and how raising your lactate threshold makes you dangerous in game three
✅ Why sleep is the most underrated performance tool in pickleball
✅ When and why to use topical recovery products like Paddle Pro Balm

⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Intro & hook
01:30 – The lactic acid myth setup
03:30 – What lactic acid actually is (science made simple)
06:00 – Paddle Pro Balm sponsor break
07:00 – 5 real recovery strategies for pickleball players
10:30 – Lactate threshold training: the secret weapon nobody talks about
12:30 – Rapid-fire recap
13:30 – Outro & how to support the show

🏓 LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED:
🔗 Paddle Pro Balm (official sponsor) → https://paddleprobalm.com/
🔗 Mint Sport Pickleball Paddles (our recommended paddle partner) → https://mintsport.com/
🔗 Cole's Pickleball & ADHD Book on Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1C2TRKY

🔑 KEYWORDS: pickleball recovery, muscle soreness after pickleball, lactic acid myth, DOMS pickleball, pickleball performance tips, paddle sport fitness, recover faster pickleball, pickleball training, active recovery for athletes, sports recovery 2025, pickleball injury prevention, Zone 2 training pickleball, lactate threshold training, Paddle Pro Balm, pickleball podcast

⭐ LOVE THE SHOW? Here's how to help it grow:
→ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts — it takes 2 minutes and means everything
→ Share this episode with one pickleball friend who still blames lactic acid for everything
→ Subscribe so you never miss a recovery tip

The Pickleball Recovery and Performance Podcast drops new episodes weekly — covering recovery, performance, training, nutrition, and the mental game for paddle sport athletes at every level.

🎙️ Hosted by Cole Stegman | Presented by Paddle Pro Balm
🌐 paddleprobalm.com

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm

Send us Fan Mail

How did America's fastest-growing sport begin?

In Episode 14 of The Pickleball Recovery and Performance Podcast by Paddle Pro Recovery, we travel back to the summer of 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, where a simple backyard game created by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum would eventually become the pickleball phenomenon we know today.

Whether you're brand new to pickleball or have been playing for years, this episode explores the fascinating history of the sport, the rules every beginner should understand, why pickleball has exploded in popularity, and how players can stay healthy and injury-free as they continue improving their game.

In this episode you'll learn:

🏓 The true origin story of pickleball and how it was invented

🏓 Why pickleball became America's fastest-growing sport

🏓 The differences between pickleball, tennis, badminton, and ping-pong

🏓 The two-bounce rule explained

🏓 Understanding the kitchen (non-volley zone)

🏓 Beginner scoring and serving tips

🏓 Why pickleball is one of the most social sports in the world

🏓 Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

🏓 The most common pickleball injuries affecting the elbow, wrist, and shoulder

🏓 Why recovery and injury prevention are critical for long-term pickleball performance

📖 Check Out Our Featured Pickleball Beginner's Guide:
https://paddleprobalm.com/blogs/dinkers-digest/pickleball-101-everything-you-need-before-you-step-on-the-court

🌿 Learn More About Paddle Pro Organic Recovery Balm:
https://paddleprobalm.com

🏓 Looking for a Paddle or New Pickleball Gear?

Our team recommends Mint Sports for quality pickleball paddles, apparel, accessories, and gear for players of all skill levels:

https://mintsport.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopRhf-c1ltxSKafpyhhYIzxlki943FbMow7z-mkcskZx4AzpmeH

📚 Books Mentioned by Paddle Pro Founder Cole Stegman

🐻 The Pickleball Brain
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1C2TRKY

🐻 Bear & Hati Collection
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1917PV8

🐻 ADHD, Focus & Performance Resource
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H167CJQ8

Whether you're stepping onto the court for the first time or looking to improve your pickleball recovery, pickleball performance, pickleball strategy, or overall health as an athlete, Paddle Pro Recovery is here to help you stay active, recover smarter, and enjoy the game for years to come.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow pickleball player.

#Pickleball
#PickleballPodcast
#PickleballHistory
#HowToPlayPickleball
#PickleballBeginner
#PickleballRules
#PickleballScoring
#PickleballTips
#PickleballTraining
#PickleballPerformance
#PickleballRecovery
#SportsRecovery
#PaddleProBalm
#MintSports
#PickleballPaddles
#PickleballGear
#DinkLife
#PickleballLife
#TennisElbow
#PickleballCommunity
#BainbridgeIsland

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm

Send us Fan Mail

🎙️ Episode 13: Feeling Better vs. Getting Better | The Recovery Strategy Every Pickleball Player Needs

Are you simply masking pickleball pain, or are you actually supporting your body's recovery?

In Episode 13 of The Pickleball Recovery and Performance Podcast by Paddle Pro Balm, we break down one of the most important concepts in sports recovery: the difference between feeling better and getting better.

If you're dealing with tennis elbow, pickleball wrist pain, shoulder soreness, knee discomfort, inflammation, or post-match stiffness, this episode is packed with practical recovery strategies designed specifically for pickleball players and active adults.

You'll learn:

🏓 Why most pickleball players wait too long to address pain

🏓 The difference between temporary pain relief and true recovery support

🏓 How topical recovery balms work for pickleball-related aches and discomfort

🏓 Why the Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is becoming an important conversation in recovery science

🏓 How to build a simple pre-match, post-match, and overnight recovery routine

🏓 Common mistakes athletes make when using pain relief products

🏓 Why consistency is the secret to staying on the courts longer

This episode is based on our in-depth recovery guide and blog article:

📖 Read the Full Article:
https://paddleprobalm.com/blogs/the-ppr-insider/topical-pain-relief-sports-recovery-guide

🌿 Learn More About Paddle Pro Organic Recovery Balm:
https://paddleprobalm.com

Paddle Pro Organic Recovery Balm was created by pickleball players for pickleball players and active adults seeking a plant-based recovery solution that fits easily into their daily routine, gym bag, paddle bag, or travel kit.

📚 Books Mentioned in This Episode

🐻 The Pickleball Brain
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1C2TRKY

🐻 Bear & Hati Collection
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1917PV8

🐻 ADHD, Focus & Performance Resource
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H167CJQ8

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another pickleball player who wants to improve recovery, reduce soreness, and perform at a higher level.

#Pickleball
#PickleballRecovery
#PickleballPerformance
#TennisElbow
#SportsRecovery
#PainRelief
#RecoveryBalm
#PlantBasedRecovery
#OrganicRecovery
#PickleballPodcast
#AthleteRecovery
#PaddleProBalm
#PickleballLife
#PickleballTraining
#InflammationRelief

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm

Send us Fan Mail

Today we dive deep into one of the biggest hidden performance advantages in pickleball: RECOVERY.

Most players focus on paddles, spin, dinks, and power… but overlook the thing that determines how long they stay fast, mobile, explosive, and pain-free on the court.

In this episode, we cover:
 🏓 Why pickleball creates unique stress on the body
 🏓 The real reason players slow down in later games
 🏓 How inflammation affects reaction time and movement
 🏓 The recovery habits smart pickleball players use
 🏓 Why soreness is NOT a badge of honor
 🏓 The secret connection between recovery and performance

Whether you're grinding tournaments, dominating rec play, or simply trying to stay active and pain-free, this episode will completely shift how you think about improving your game.

Presented by Paddle Pro Recovery — handmade organic pain relief balm crafted in the USA specifically for pickleball players looking to recover faster, move better, and stay on the court longer.

Learn more about the growth of pickleball through USA Pickleball and the legendary Mint Sport US Open Pickleball Championships.

📘 Also check out my pickleball-inspired children’s book on Amazon:
 Bear & Hati Understand ADHD

#Pickleball #PickleballPodcast #PickleballRecovery #PickleballPerformance #PickleballLife #PickleballTraining #PickleballPlayers #PainRelief #SportsRecovery #OrganicRecovery #USAPickleball #PickleballCommunity #PickleballFitness #PickleballTips #PaddleProRecovery #PickleballNation #KitchenLine #Dinking #ThirdShotDrop #PickleballAddict

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back to the Pickleball Recovery & Performance Podcast powered by Paddle Pro Recovery Balm.

In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked performance topics in pickleball today: nervous system fatigue.

If you’ve ever felt mentally exhausted after long pickleball sessions, noticed your hand speed slowing late in matches, struggled with recovery after tournaments, or experienced “pickleball brain,” this episode is for you.

We explore:
✅ Pickleball nervous system recovery
✅ Reaction time fatigue
✅ Pickleball burnout and mental sharpness
✅ Recovery stacking strategies
✅ Longevity training for pickleball players
✅ How recovery affects performance
✅ Tournament recovery science
✅ Pickleball performance optimization

🔥 Featured Links:

👉 Paddle Pro Recovery Balm
https://paddleprorecovery.com

👉 Bear & Hati: Helping Children Understand ADHD with Confidence
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H1C2TRKY

👉 USA Pickleball
https://usapickleball.org

About Paddle Pro Balm
Paddle Pro Balm is a pickleball-focused recovery and performance brand designed to help players reduce soreness, recover faster, and stay on the court longer. Built specifically for pickleball athletes of all levels.

Learn more: https://paddleprobalm.com

Follow Paddle Pro Balm
Website: https://paddleprobalm.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/paddleprobalm
Email: contact@paddleprobalm.com

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any recovery or treatment program.

pickleball recovery, pickleball injuries, tennis elbow pickleball, pickleball performance, pickleball pain relief, pickleball tips, pickleball training, paddle pro balm