About this episode

This episode features an engaging discussion with young pickleball stars Gabe Tardio and Hayden Patriquin about their experiences and insights in the sport.

For this week’s PicklePod, we’re joined by two of the most exciting young stars in pickleball: Hayden Patriquin and Gabe Tardio of the St. Louis Shock. We dive into everything from Shock team culture and MLP pressure to why Gabe ignored traditional pickleball advice and built his own game from scratch. Hayden also opens up about his on-court personality, social media backlash, and finding the balance between playing with emotion and staying under control. We also get into: - The “Shock are chokers” debate - Why Hayden might have the highest ceiling in pickleball - What makes Ben Johns so difficult to beat - Signature shots and unique techniques - The future of pickleball strategy - Gambling stories, trash talk, and complete chaos This episode goes all over the place in the best way possible. One minute we’re breaking down elite strategy and the next we’re talking baccarat, sleep habits, and why nobody actually knows the “right” way to play pickleball. Subscribe and let us know: Who has the highest ceiling in pickleball right now? 👇 Blue Cannatine from Troscriptions is designed to support the mental and physical flow state that pickleball players chase: focused, responsive…

Sponsors

Troscriptions, TZ Pickleball

More episodes of PicklePod

• This Is What Happens When You Doubt Ben Johns · May 27, 2026 · 1h 8m
• MLP Commissioner BREAKS DOWN Massive Changes · May 22, 2026 · 32 min
• Emergency Pod: A Pickleball Brand Just Sold for MILLIONS · May 14, 2026 · 36 min
• Pickleball Finals Are Season 8 of Game of Thrones · May 12, 2026 · 1h 10m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the PicklePod podcast page.