Pickleballers

Jared Paul is the co-host of Pickleballers and the founder of The Kitchen Pickleball — the largest and most engaged pickleball community and media company in the world, with over two million cumulative members, followers, and email subscribers across platforms.In this episode, Roscoe flips the script and puts Jared in the guest seat for the first time, joined by Dane Illif, Jared's longtime co-founder and right-hand man at The Kitchen. Together, they trace the full origin story — from a broke music startup in Oakland to building the brand that helped define modern pickleball culture.Jared opens up about the winding road that led him to Austin: surviving 9/11 in New York, playing in a funk band called Frontline Theory, running a nonprofit in San Francisco, and finally landing at a digital agency where he realized he was unemployable and couldn't work on someone else's dream. The Kitchen didn't start as a business plan — it started as a Facebook group for Austin pickleball players during COVID, born out of a failed music company and a chance invite to play at a bar called Bolden Acres.Jared and Dane also get into the behind-the-scenes of how The Kitchen actually became a business — from a $1,000/month deal with an Amazon paddle brand, to producing an $8,000 Electrum commercial in Vegas, to landing an early partnership with Connor Pardus and the PPA before anyone else believed in them. They break down why they never bought a single follower, what made the kitchen impossible to replicate, and why Jared believes singles pickleball is the format that takes the sport to TV.🧢 Pickleballers Hat: https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Add us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/pickleballershttps://instagram.com/thekitchenpickleballhttps://instagram.com/roscoebellamyhttps://instagram.com/jpaulthechefTimestamps:1:09 — Jared in the Hot Seat2:17 — Dane Joins the Story4:29 — The Broke Oakland Music Startup9:38 — Growing Up & Early Life in Atlanta10:10 — Bombing the Interview, Then Getting the Job12:34 — Seeing 9/11 from NYC Rooftop14:19 — Playing in a Band Called Frontline Theory16:07 — Quitting Sales & The Power of Now17:18 — Building a Nonprofit in San Francisco19:29 — Working at Salesforce & a Digital Agency21:06 — Why the Early Companies Failed22:18 — Community First vs. Product First27:08 — How Pickleball Found Them During COVID28:02 — The Kitchen Is Born29:07 — Dane Create the Logo32:23 — When It Became a Real Business34:03 — Trying to Make a Pickleball (and Failing)36:28 — The $8K Electrum Commercial in Vegas38:21 — The Early PPA Partnership39:44 — The Kitchen by the Numbers Today43:51 — Never Buying a Single Follower45:14 — Top Tips for Creators48:10 — Most Viral Post of All Time49:24 — Is the Pickleball Boom Over?50:44 — Favorite Pickleball Events54:24 — What Pickleball Has Given Them57:33 — The Future of Pickleball & The Kitchen

In this episode, Hannah sits down with Roscoe and Jared to pull back the curtain on the Johns family, the wild early days of the PPA, and what it really took to turn pickleball into a legitimate professional sport. It's part origin story, part behind-the-scenes tour, and entirely worth your time.Hannah opens up about growing up as one of seven homeschooled kids on 12 acres, how Ben showed freakish hand-eye coordination before he could even talk much, and the moment the family realized pickleball might actually be something real — when the first major Franklin sponsorship came in and changed everything.Hannah also gets into the grind of being PPA Employee #4 — arranging player housing, getting screamed at when a pro peed in a host's garden, and the relentless skepticism from networks and fans who said tickets would never sell. She shares what she's most proud of: helping prove every single naysayer wrong.Delivered by @DoorDash! 🚪Pickleballers Hat: 🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Add us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/pickleballershttps://instagram.com/thekitchenpickleballhttps://instagram.com/roscoebellamyhttps://instagram.com/jpaulthechefTimestamps:1:14 — Welcome, Hannah Johns2:09 — Why Hannah Stepped Away from Sideline Reporting3:19 — Three Years, Zero Missed Tournaments4:05 — Traveling the Tour with Ben and Colin5:28 — How Ryan Sherry Got Hannah Into the PPA6:00 — Living in the Czech Republic and the Rough Return Home7:34 — Growing Up Johns: Homeschooled on 12 Acres10:31 — The Siblings: A Family of Savants12:24 — How the Johns Family Found Pickleball16:13 — Who Had the X Factor Growing Up?17:03 — Ben at Age 3: The Pool Cue Story22:37 — When Pickleball Was Just Another Hobby for Ben25:27 — Colin Signing with Electrum and the Early Sponsorship Era26:04 — How the Johns Family Reacted to the Brothers' Rise28:25 — Hannah's Goal: Not Being Known as Ben's Sister30:04 — The Sideline Reporter Craft: Prep, Notes, and Questions31:15 — Crying in Hotel Bathrooms Before Going on Air32:12 — Crazy Stories from Tour: The Incident That Almost Sent Someone to Jail34:20 — The Housing Program and the Garden Incident36:35 — Misunderstandings About the Early Days of Pickleball40:41 — The Real Milestones: Salaries, Ticket Sales, and Networks44:15 — Hannah's Proudest Accomplishment44:49 — Proving Every Naysayer Wrong46:01 — The Moment Ben Started Getting Recognized in Public49:12 — Could Hannah Go Pro? The Black Sheep of the Family51:30 — The Best Sideline Interview Hannah Ever Did52:24 — What Most People Misunderstand About Ben Johns53:55 — Where Hannah Sees Pickleball in 5 Years

JW and Jorja Johnson are the most decorated sibling team in professional pickleball, known for transforming the game with the JW Johnson flick and the Jorja Johnson fire — two of the most talked-about weapons on tour.In this episode, JW and Jorja sit down with Roscoe and Jared to trace their unlikely path from Pittsburgh, Kansas to the top of the pro game. They get into the zero-pressure upbringing that made it all possible, the South Florida training culture they helped build, and what it actually takes to stay dominant in a sport evolving as fast as pickleball.Jorja breaks down what it was like to be stolen from the Dallas Flash in the MLP draft, landing on the New Jersey Fives alongside Anna Leigh Waters — a move nobody saw coming. JW also reveals he's never had a real conversation with Ben Johns off the court, and addresses for the first time whether a JW-Ben partnership has ever been on the table.Pickleballers Hat: 🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Add us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/pickleballershttps://instagram.com/thekitchenpickleballhttps://instagram.com/roscoebellamyhttps://instagram.com/jpaulthechefTimestamps:1:07 — Welcome & Introducing JW and Jorja Johnson2:33 — Growing Up in Pittsburgh, Kansas5:20 — How COVID Sparked Their Pickleball Journey8:52 — Early Days: Bad Reps, Johnny Goldberg & First Tournaments10:21 — The $300 Hilton Head Moment That Changed Everything13:06 — Building the South Florida Training Scene19:51 — Julie Johnson's Academy and the Rise of a Squad24:43 — When the Money Started Getting Real26:26 — Power Balance Scam, Franklin Deal & Seeing Your Face in Dick's29:04 — Signing Underwear and Knowing You've Made It34:46 — MLP, the Dallas Flash, and Becoming Stars40:33 — The Draft Shock: Jorja Stolen to the New Jersey Fives45:06 — Playing with Anna Leigh & What That Partnership Looks Like47:26 — How They Stay Dominant: Film, Evolution, and the Tui49:08 — JW's Hands: The Secret Behind the Fastest Reactions on Tour54:22 — Life Off the Court: Padel, Cinnamon Bread & Movies56:44 — Biggest Rivals and the Mindset Behind Not Having One59:19 — Has JW Ever Thought About Teaming with Ben Johns?1:01:09 — Greatest Moments

Anna Bright is the #2 ranked women's pickleball player in the world, an MLP champion, and one of the sport's most magnetic personalities — a Cal Berkeley graduate who went from Pacific Crest Trail solo hiker to professional athlete in under a year.In this episode, Anna sits down with Roscoe and Jared to pull back the curtain on her journey from junior tennis to the top of pickleball, the business decisions that defined her career, and the personal dynamics that come with competing at the highest level. The conversation is candid, funny, and surprisingly raw — exactly what you'd expect from someone who's never been afraid to say what she thinks.Anna breaks down the story behind "The Girlies" — her viral brand partnership with Rachel Rachel Rohrabacher — and what it was like to walk away from one of pickleball's most beloved duos. She opens up about the game-theory moment that led her to reach out to Anna Lee Waters, including the part nobody knew: she'd already said no once before.Anna also gets into the tension between her fiery on-court persona and the content creator she's becoming off it, why yoga and breath work have quietly transformed the last six months of her life, and what she actually thinks about the yelling controversy that made this podcast feel like it might never happen.Delivered by @DoorDash! 🚗Pickleballers Hat: 🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Add us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/pickleballershttps://instagram.com/thekitchenpickleballhttps://instagram.com/roscoebellamyhttps://instagram.com/jpaulthechefTimestamps:0:00 - Start1:02 — Welcome Anna Bright1:46 — Clearing the Air: The Kate Twitter Moment4:01 — Growing Up in Fort Worth & Junior Tennis8:42 — Fractured Back at 13 & High School Reset12:50 — The College Recruiting Process & Choosing Cal Berkeley17:42 — The Pacific Crest Trail: Solo, 2,500 Miles, 113 Days24:19 — How Pickleball Found Her30:49 — Meeting James Ignatowich36:25 — Building a Brand: The Rise of The Girlies46:19 — How Playing Full-Time Changes Your Relationship With the Sport52:04 — The Game Theory Decision: Leaving Rachel for Anna Lee1:01:27 — What It's Like Playing With the Greatest of All Time1:07:02 — Biggest Threats on Tour1:09:24 — Pickleball in Asia & the Sport's Global Future1:13:53 — Most Entertaining Players to Watch1:15:47 — What She Wants From the Sport Long-Term1:22:57 — Fan Q&A: Box Breathing, Yoga & Staying Injury-Free1:25:56 — The Power 50 Ranking Reaction

James Ignatowich is a former top professional pickleball player turned paddle company founder, best known for creating RPM — one of the fastest-growing and most talked-about paddle brands in the sport.In this episode, James joins Roscoe and Jared virtually from Shenzhen, China, where he's living full-time and running RPM's operations on the ground. They get into why James has zero regrets about leaving the tour, what it actually takes to build a paddle company from scratch, and why being in China is the biggest competitive advantage in the game right now.James opens up about his PPA termination, calling it suspicious given RPM's early success, and shares a telling detail — he was already mentally checked out of pro play before it happened, more excited about the company than any upcoming tournament. He also reacts to Ben Johns calling him the most talented player he's ever faced, and why that compliment doesn't quite land the way you'd expect.James also gets into the RPM playbook — how they sold 35,000 paddles without enough covers, why dropping the Q2 and V2 simultaneously was a calculated bet, and where he thinks paddle technology is headed. Pickleballers Hat: 🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Add us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/pickleballershttps://instagram.com/thekitchenpickleballhttps://instagram.com/roscoebellamyhttps://instagram.com/jpaulthechef

Connor Hance and Drew Baird are the founders of Enhance Pickleball — the most-followed pickleball content creators, with more YouTube subscribers and Instagram followers than anyone else in the sport.In this episode, Connor and Drew sit down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story of how Enhance Pickleball was built — from a bootstrapped Amazon side project to a paddle and content brand that's changed how the sport is marketed and taught.Connor and Drew break down the business decisions that defined Enhance — what made the Dink Master their first real hit, why they resisted paddles for years before finally breaking through with the Duo, and how their content engine became the ultimate unfair advantage for selling products without outside funding or paid ads.They also get into the hard stuff: a $65,000 shipping disaster that nearly ended the company early, the challenge of being taken seriously as a paddle brand, and what it actually takes to build something real in pickleball from scratch.Pickleballers Hat: 🧢https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Add us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/pickleballershttps://instagram.com/thekitchenpickleballhttps://instagram.com/roscoebellamyhttps://instagram.com/jpaulthechefTimestamps:1:06 — Introducing Connor & Drew from Enhance Pickleball1:28 — How the brand works: Connor on camera, Drew behind the scenes2:02 — Drew was originally supposed to be the on-camera talent3:22 — How Connor & Roscoe go way back (played each other at age 9)5:45 — How Enhance started: Amazon side hustle in early 20227:21 — The Dink Master origin story9:09 — Bootstrapped from scratch: no funding, just tennis lesson money10:25 — When the content started to take off13:30 — Connor's backstory: growing up at South Bay Tennis Center14:40 — Getting homeschooled to chase tennis15:23 — The moment Connor decided he'd never go pro — and pivoted to business17:46 — Drew's backstory: North Carolina, IMG Academy, #12 in the world juniors20:22 — How Drew's hip injury led to him joining the business22:46 — How their Instagram virality actually works27:01 — Transitioning from accessories to paddles — and why it was hard31:37 — Should they have started with paddles from day one?33:15 — Getting advice vs. going with your gut34:02 — The $65,000 FedEx shipping disaster36:08 — How tariffs hit the business38:17 — Best content advice for pickleball creators43:49 — Breaking down the new Enhance Turbo paddle46:10 — The time Amazon delivered a Viking sword to a customer47:27 — What's next for Enhance Pickleball49:48 — The biggest pivotal moments building the company50:50 — Best business advice for anyone starting a pickleball brand today

Hunter Johnson is the world #1 singles pickleball player — the top spot in the fastest-growing sport on the planet, and a title that comes with way more pressure than people realize.In this episode, Hunter sits down with Roscoe and Jared to talk about what it actually feels like to be #1 in the world — the confidence it takes to get there, the doubts that creep in once you finally arrive, and the psychological weight of knowing every match is someone else’s Super Bowl. He breaks down the “now what?” moment after reaching the pinnacle, how he deals with the target on his back, and why he’s still more hungry than ever to keep the spot.Hunter explains why singles is the future of the sport — and why he believes it’s the format that will make pickleball go mainstream. They talk the Lifetime ball, how singles strategy has changed, why baseline pressure is becoming more valuable, and how the separation between pros and everyone else is getting bigger fast. Plus: the biggest threats to the #1 ranking, how he thinks about the field (Fed, Haworth, Connor, Garnett, and more), and the small tactical adjustments that actually decide matches at the top.Hunter opens up about the mental side of competing — negative self-talk, self-sabotage, pressure, perspective, faith, and what kind of champion he wants to be on and off the court. They also revisit the Lakeland match, momentum (real or not), what it taught him, and how he’s approaching 2026 with a better mindset and a clearer purpose.Delivered by @DoorDash ! 🚘Pickleballers Hat:🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Instagram:📲 @pickleballers📲 @thekitchenpickleball📲 @roscoebellamy📲 @jpaulthechef2:29 — The pressure of #1: psychology, emotions, staying hungry2:59 — Hunter vs Yates (Palm Springs match)5:28 — Pickleball time moves different (tour life perspective)8:13 — Gratitude + why being a pro makes time feel “slow”9:18 — Lakeland controversy + the post moment11:00 — The real issue: self-talk, mindset, and being watched as #112:09 — “Now what?” after reaching the pinnacle + staying there13:35 — Self-awareness, faith, perspective, and owning your behavior16:35 — The platform of #1: being a role model for juniors19:15 — Target on his back + using pressure as fuel20:18 — Momentum: real vs mental construct23:18 — Who threatens the #1 spot?28:59 — Hot take: singles will make pickleball mainstream30:24 — Why singles pops on TV32:07 — Hot take: Ben & Anna Leigh should split and become rivals35:49 — Ball talk: Lifetime vs Franklin38:15 — Recovery: Hunter’s full routine41:04 — 120-second backstory43:40 — “Civil war draft”: 3 pros you’re taking to survive45:57 — Hunter vs Anna Leigh practice story47:46 — How far could Anna Leigh go in men’s singles?48:44 — The future

Leigh Waters is the mom and coach of Anna Leigh Waters — the most dominant pickleball player of all time — and the person who’s been in the room for every major moment that turned Anna Leigh into the face of the sport.In this episode, Leigh sits down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story behind pickleball’s biggest moves: Anna Leigh signing with Nike, switching from Paddletek to Franklin, and what those months were really like behind the scenes. She breaks down the stress of negotiations, the pressure of making a once-in-a-career decision at 19, and how she kept Anna Leigh grounded while the internet and the entire sport watched every step.Then we go deeper.Leigh explains what it’s actually like wearing every hat at once — mom, best friend, coach, and protector — while raising someone whose “normal” is winning everything. They talk perfectionism, motivation when you’re already the best, how Anna Leigh stays obsessed with getting better, and why Leigh constantly reminds her: this level of dominance isn’t normal, and losing doesn’t mean the sky is falling.And it’s not just pickleball strategy.We get into the reality of Anna Leigh’s growing celebrity — security at tournaments, massive autograph lines, online hate that shows up in Leigh’s DMs, and the full team that’s now been built around Anna Leigh (social, PR, equipment, travel) to protect her peace while she keeps pushing the sport forward. Plus: women’s doubles predictions for 2026, who could eventually threaten the throne, and what pickleball still needs to do to reach the Olympics.Delivered by @DoorDash ! 🚘Pickleballers Hat:🧢 [https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521](https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521)Instagram:📲 @pickleballers📲 @thekitchenpickleball📲 @roscoebellamy📲 @jpaulthechef2:36 – Nike + Franklin: the stressful months leading up to both deals4:43 – “Mom, coach, best friend”: what Leigh’s role really looks like6:23 – “This isn’t normal”: how Leigh keeps Anna Leigh grounded7:38 – Why the Nike/Franklin moves actually energized Anna Leigh8:20 – What Nike HQ was like (all-day meetings, gifts, massive photo wall)10:46 – What Nike could unlock next (events, access, collabs, Caitlin Clark)12:24 – Ryan Harwood’s impact + doing deals the right way (no bidding wars)13:42 – Pickleball Power 50 + Leigh’s real influence in the sport14:34 – “Did you give up your dreams?”16:39 – Coaching other players vs coaching your daughter18:51 – Leigh playing again22:33 – How Anna Leigh stays motivated when she’s already the best24:05 – The perfectionism and obsession that drives Anna Leigh26:13 – Who could threaten Anna Leigh’s reign (Caitlin Christian + wildcards)29:51 – Women’s doubles landscape + who can challenge Anna Leigh/AB35:36 – Being the mom of the GOAT36:59 – Missing “normal life” (prom, friends, growing up in the spotlight)41:21 – Fame is real now: security, fan lines, and managing the hate44:43 – “Psycho mom” comments + the truth about money and the team45:47 – The full team: PT, RV driver, publicist, and more49:15 – Pickleball in the Olympics#LeighWaters #PPA #MLP #AnnaLeighWaters #Pickleball #Pickeballers

Anna Leigh Waters is the most dominant pickleball player of all time — the sport’s biggest star, the standard everyone is chasing, and now the first-ever Nike signed pickleball athlete.In this episode, Anna Leigh sits down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story behind the two biggest moves in pickleball: signing with Nike, and leaving Paddletek after years to join Franklin. She breaks down what the public didn’t see — the pressure of rumors before anything was actually signed, how she handled the internet going crazy after the leaked practice photo, and why she ultimately chose brands based on what would grow the sport long-term.Then we get nerdy.Anna Leigh explains the paddle testing process, why she didn’t want a “bidding war,” how important it was to actually love the paddle, and what it felt like walking into the Masters with a brand-new setup — new paddle, new Nike kit, new expectations — and still winning. She also talks foam tech, Gen 1 vs newer paddles, why the “singles paddle vs doubles paddle” trend is coming, and what she wants to build next with Franklin (shapes, thickness, and future prototypes).And with Nike, she shares what it was like visiting Nike HQ, sitting in all-day meetings, helping them think through true pickleball-specific gear, and why this partnership feels bigger than just her — it feels like a milestone for the entire sport.Delivered by @DoorDash! 🚘Pickleballers Hat:🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Instagram:📲 @pickleballers📲 @thekitchenpickleball📲 @roscoebellamy📲 @jpaulthechef

Terrell Owens is one of the greatest wide receivers of all time — an NFL Hall of Famer and one of the most dominant competitors the game has ever seen.From growing up on welfare in rural Alabama, to walking on at Chattanooga with no expectations, to becoming a Hall of Fame NFL receiver, Terrell’s story was never about hype — it was about patience, work, and discipline. In this episode, he sits down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story: developing late, getting drafted by the 49ers, playing alongside Jerry Rice, competing in a Super Bowl on a broken leg, and navigating one of the most misunderstood legacies in sports.Then the conversation turns to pickleball.Terrell opens up about discovering the sport late, committing to daily training, drilling with pros, and why pickleball requires more strategy than football. From drives, drops, and dinks to chess vs checkers at the pro level, he explains why pickleball has completely hooked him — and why he’s chasing high-level competition at 51 with the same mindset that made him great in the NFL.Delivered by @DoorDash ! 🚘Pickleballers Hat:🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Instagram:📲 @pickleballers📲 @thekitchenpickleball📲 @roscoebellamy📲 @jpaulthechef2:00 – Growing up on welfare in Alabama5:30 – No big offers, walking on, and being a late bloomer9:42 – Role models & life if not for football13:40 – The first touchdown that changed everything18:30 – The 3 Ds: desire, dedication, discipline21:45 – From college afterthought to NFL prospect32:30 – Entering the NFL completely clueless38:40 – Playing with Jerry Rice & learning the game44:30 – Leaving San Francisco & joining the Eagles49:00 – Super Bowl on a broken leg54:40 – Legacy, rings, and media narratives59:50 – Who Terrell Owens really is off the field1:03:30 – Discovering pickleball1:07:00 – From worst player to legit competitor1:12:30 – Why pickleball is chess, not checkers1:18:15 – Pickleball vs football strategy1:22:00 – The social power of pickleball1:26:30 – Celebrity pickleball & growing the sport1:31:30 – Training, coaches, and closing the gap1:36:00 – Playing pro pickleball at 511:41:00 – What’s next for Terrell Owens1:27:54 – Final thoughts#TerrellOwens #Pickleballers #NFL #PPA #MLP #Pickleball

Matt Wright is one of the most polarizing, respected, and mysterious players in pickleball — and somehow, he had never done a real pickleball podcast… until now.At 48 years old, Matt is still making PPA finals, still out-thinking kids half his age, and still one of the most entertaining players on tour. In this episode, Matt sits down with Roscoe and Jared to finally tell his full story: from obsessed tennis kid in Wichita, to #1 at Michigan with Tom Brady in his dorm, to discovering pickleball through a made-up “mini tennis” game with a wooden mallet.He opens up about the first US Open, early days with Lucy Kovalova, his loyalty to Connor Pardoe and the PPA through the tour wars, the Riley Newman breakup, what it was really like playing with Ben Johns, the Julian Arnold rivalry, cheating vs trash talk, and why he thinks pickleball is at a crossroads: chess match or power game?Delivered by @DoorDash ! 🚘Pickleballers Hat:🧢 https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=58191198781521Instagram:📲 @pickleballers📲 @thekitchenpickleball📲 @roscoebellamy📲 @jpaulthechef01:12 – Why Matt Wright has never done a pickleball podcast02:37– Growing up in Wichita as an only child05:20 – Falling in love with tennis watching John McEnroe07:05 – Junior grind, national tournaments & balancing real school08:32 – Choosing Michigan over Stanford & TCU11:35 – Playing #1 at Michigan, rivalry matches & old tennis footage13:00 – Age vs Athleticism 16:22 – Fire, villains, and why sports need characters20:57 – Don't piss Matt off22:34 – Discovering “mini tennis,” meeting Lucy, and the backyard sport that led to pickleball26:15 – 2016 US Open debut: pushing Morgan Evans & Marcin Rozpedski to the brink29:35 – 2016 Matt Wright footage36:52 – Early paddle deals, Engage days, and the pre-testing paddle era37:41 – Connor Pardoe, PPA beginnings, and why Matt stayed loyal during the tour wars42:06 – The Riley Newman breakup45:05 – Playing with Ben Johns: gameplans, covering 65% of the court & the backhand counter era49:19 – Blowing leads, mental edges & why everyone tightened up against Ben/Collin51:15 – Partner carousel: Rafa, Jay, Dylan & the hypothetical JW/Matt super team53:00 – Ranking today’s top 5 men’s doubles players54:17 – The Julian Arnold rivalry, chirping, and separating on-court battles from real life56:54 – Hitting Jesse, not apologizing58:54 - Cheating in pickleball59:57 – Who Matt really is off court, no social media, and being “mysterious” on tour1:03:10 – No Senior Pro plans, Andre Agassi fantasy partner & where pickleball goes next1:04:12 - The future of pickleball?1:06:21 – Legacy: how Matt Wright wants to be remembered#Pickleballers #Pickleball #PPA #MLP #ProPickleball #MattWright

Tyra “Hurricane” Black grew up in the pressure cooker of junior tennis — sitting courtside in a stroller while her dad coached pros, traveling the world alone at 13, and being turned pro without even knowing it. The burnout, stress, and antidepressants that followed nearly pushed her out of sports for good.Then an earthquake in Turkey became her wake-up call. Tyra came home, tried pickleball, and everything changed. Within two years she went from complete beginner to top-5 in the world, got signed to an MLP team before ever playing a tournament, and even beat Anna Leigh Waters — all while rediscovering joy for the first time in years.In this episode, Tyra joins Roscoe and Jared to talk about leaving tennis, how pickleball helped her get off antidepressants, battling an autoimmune scare, MLP drama, protecting her Dallas Flash teammates, quitting singles after a PPA title, and what she wants the sport to become. Raw, honest, and insanely inspiring.Delivered by ⁨‪@DoorDash‬! 🚘Order the limited Pickleballers hat here: https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/pro...Add us on Instagram:📲 @pickleballers📲 @thekitchenpickleball📲 @roscoebellamy📲 @jpaulthechef1:32 Growing up in Boca with a tennis family4:56 Quitting tennis as a kid and rescuing animals6:54 Sister Tornado’s insane junior career and brutal injury7:50 Traveling alone at 13 and burning out on tennis10:47 DoorDash Ad11:05 Turned pro at 13, and feeling miserable on tour13:52 Earthquake in Turkey and the “what am I doing?” moment15:07 Falling in love with pickleball and giving it a real shot17:44 Depression, antidepressants, and how pickleball changed everything20:25 Getting signed to MLP before ever playing a pickleball tournament20:55 Pickleballers Hat Ad21:11 Autoimmune diagnosis, hair loss, and playing through fear24:30 MLP Culture26:13 Can players call each other out and still show empathy29:23 Living for others, guarding her team, and wanting everyone happy30:43 The match where Tyra beat Anna Leigh Waters in singles32:24 Massive respect for Anna Leigh and her dominance34:43 Why Tyra quit singles after winning a PPA title37:00 The mental load of singles vs doubles and needing a “partner”39:35 Tyra’s mindset against Annaleigh and why she plays free42:14 Not letting pickleball become toxic like junior tennis43:42 Crazy sports parents and how to protect kids in the sport45:23 Gambling, pressure, and keeping humanity in pro pickleball46:40 Inside the Dallas Flash: culture, chemistry, and family vibes49:05 Roster cuts and tricky MLP realities51:19 Tornado and Nicole54:31 Julie Johnson’s coaching and support on and off the court56:57 How Tyra wants pickleball to evolve: paddles and international growth59:11 PPA high school superlatives1:01:57 2025 plans: partners, Christian for mixed, Jorja for women’s1:03:42 Turning down a paid partner offer and choosing chemistry over money1:08:45 How Tyra wants to be remembered and what truly matters#Tyrablack #Pickleballers #Pickleball #PPA #MLP #ProPickleball

Catherine Parenteau and her coach (and wife) Athena Trouillot join Pickleballers for a wide-open conversation about love, pressure, and what it takes to sustain greatness. Catherine walks us through her journey from Montreal tennis prodigy to pickleball star: the early days with Simone Jardim, the US Open win that changed her trajectory, going full-time on tour, and the realities of splitting with Anna Leigh Waters after a dominant run.Athena shares the story from her side—how their relationship began, why coaching your spouse is both tricky and rewarding, and how they’ve built a small team and brand around Catherine’s career. We also get into mindset, handling recency bias, future family plans, and what life might look like after pro pickleball.If you enjoy behind-the-scenes stories from the top of the sport, competing mindsets, and practical takeaways on building a career in pickleball, this one’s a must-watch. Delivered by  @DoorDash ! 🚘Add us on Instagram:https://instagram.com/pickleballershttps://instagram.com/thekitchenpickleballhttps://instagram.com/roscoebellamyhttps://instagram.com/jpaulthechefOrder the limited Pickleballers hat here: https://shop.thekitchenpickle.com/products/pickleballer-snapback?variant=581911987815211:21 Intro1:54 Growing up in Montreal and falling in love with sports2:58 College tennis journey: Arkansas to Michigan State4:56 The first time Catherine tried pickleball6:54 Inside Michigan’s early pickleball scene8:26 Tough college days10:05 Athena’s story and background11:21 Forced doubles partners turned best friends14:12 Shoulder injuries that led Catherine to pickleball15:21 How their relationship really began19:13 Eleven years strong as partners on and off court22:08 Catherine’s unstoppable drive to compete25:03 Living to train, staying balanced, and planning for a family27:02 From small local events to big prize money28:13 The PPA letter that changed everything30:05 Balancing coaching, sponsorships, and full-time play31:17 Going all-in as a professional pickleball player32:14 Building a brand and growing a following34:16 The US Open breakthrough win37:23 Dominating singles and claiming her first PPA title38:23 Tennis roots in pickleball40:01 The Nationals controversy and public backlash47:02 Parting ways with Anna Leigh Waters49:32 The electric MLP Dallas dreambreaker moment53:04 How marriage and coaching mix on tour56:01 Handling pressure, perspective, and recency bias57:30 Life beyond pickleball – animals, purpose, and what’s next