Life Lessons from Pickleball™
Meet Shelley and Sher, the dynamic duo, who found more than just a sport on the Pickleball court - they discovered how Pickleball was weaving its magic, creating connections, boosting confidence, and sprinkling their lives with amazing joy. Inspired by their own personal transformation and the contagious enthusiasm of their fellow players, they knew this was more than a game. Join them on their weekly podcast as they serve up engaging conversations with people from all walks of life, and all around the world reaching across the net to uncover the valuable Life Lessons from Pickleball™.
Episodes
93 episodes
E92: Brian Montgomery: A Pickleball Transformation
Brian Montgomery shares one of the most powerful transformation stories in the pickleball community. After reaching nearly 390 pounds and avoiding the doctor out of fear, Brian began with one simple goal: 5,000 steps a day. Step by step, he ...
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Episode 92
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32:20
E91: Audrey Phillips: Pickleball, Travel, and Connection
In this uplifting episode, Audrey Phillips, a psychotherapist of more than five decades, shares how she has built joyful community through pickleball, travel, and connection. Audrey reflects on how she fell in love with the game, why pickleb...
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Episode 91
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29:29
E90: Rachael Kroog: Pickleball, Music, and the Joy of Connection
In this joyful and inspiring episode, Rachael Kroog shares how a simple invitation from her dad led to a life transformed by pickleball. A national champion, creative performer, and beloved teacher, Rachael reveals how the game blends compet...
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Episode 90
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34:07
E89: Mike “Sleeves” Sliwa: Pickleball Off the Grid
In this engaging conversation, Mike “Sleeves” Sliwa shares how living off the grid in a yurt shaped his perspective on time, community, and connection. As host of the Senior Pickleball Report and a trusted voice for the 50-plus pickleball co...
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Episode 89
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32:46
E88: Scott Manthorne: The Pickleball Effect
In this engaging episode, we sit down with Scott Manthorne, author of The Pickleball Effect, to explore how this “silly game with a silly name” is quietly changing lives around the world. Scott shares powerful stories from his book, co...
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Episode 88
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31:21
E87: Sandy Smith: Healing, Resilience, and Community Through Pickleball
In this moving conversation, Sandy Smith shares how pickleball became a source of strength, healing, and deep connection after her cancer journey. A pickleball player, coach, referee, and community leader, Sandy reflects on resilience, belon...
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Episode 87
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30:28
E86: Aaron Trost: Pickleball Without Borders
What happens when a competitive 5.0 player realizes medals aren’t the point anymore? 🏅➡️💛Aaron Trost, founder of Pickleball Planter, has taken pickleball to 14 countries, from youth camps in Ukraine 🇺🇦 to packed courts across Southeast Asia ...
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Episode 86
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32:19
E85: Sean McCoy: Pickleball, Healing, and Life Is a Team Sport
Sean McCoy joins us to share a heartfelt journey from military service to mental health counseling, and how pickleball helped him rediscover play, belonging, and connection. We explore how the game can be used in therapy, why “you are enough...
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36:00
E84: Mike Branon: Pickleball and the Power of Positive Dinking
Mike Branon, bestselling author of Pickleball and the Art of Living and The Joy of Pickleball, joins us to share how positive dinking, mindset, and reinvention shape a meaningful life on and off ...
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Episode 84
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30:51
E83: Melinda Alcosser: Pickleball With Purpose
Melinda Alcosser, educator, coach, drummer, and founder of With Heart Travel, shares how pickleball, connection, and intentional travel have shaped her life and sparked meaningful projects from Punta Cana to Uganda. Melinda shows how joy, pr...
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Episode 83
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32:19
E82: Rick Cipes: The Zen of Pickleball
Writer and creator Rick Cipes joins us to talk storytelling, sport, and the mindful side of the game. A longtime Pickleball Magazine contributor and author of How to Play Better Pickleball and
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Episode 82
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36:06
E81: Dr. Jerry “Dr. J” Brinegar: Leveling the Playing Field in Pickleball
Marriage and family therapist Dr. Jerry “Dr. J” Brinegar is a USA Pickleball ambassador, decorated senior competitor, and passionate teacher of adaptive pickleball for veterans with spinal cord injuries. He shares how the game brings purpose...
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Episode 81
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28:25
E80: Ezekiel and Matthias Wagner: The Next Generation of Pickleball
Brothers Ezekiel and Matthias Wagner represent the next generation of pickleball, young players using their passion for the game to build community and connection. As Selkirk Junior Advocates, they have brought pickleball to their schools, c...
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Episode 80
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34:14
E79: Ron Ponder: Spreading Pickleball Across the Globe
Ron Ponder, Director of Officiating for the Global Pickleball Federation, has helped grow the game in communities around the world. A passionate player, teacher, and rule-maker, he shares stories of teaching, reffing, and witnessing pickleba...
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Episode 79
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29:26
E78: Anna Glotova: Hope, Healing, And Pickleball in Ukraine
When war forced her to flee Ukraine, Anna Glotova found unexpected healing through pickleball. What began as a way to cope with loss grew into a movement of resilience, inclusion, and hope. As cofounder of the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation...
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Episode 78
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41:38
E77: Riley “Smiley Riley” Palmer: The Floating Court That Went Viral
Riley “Smiley Riley” Palmer brings her infectious energy to pickleball both on land and at sea. From coaching and community building to designing the world’s first floating pickleball court in Croatia, Riley is turning imagination into inspi...
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Episode 77
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38:51
E76: Bob Gress: Parkinson's and Pickleball
When Parkinson's changed his life, Bob Gress found hope in an unexpected place, the pickleball court. Encouraged by his wife's "recliner speech," Bob discovered that movement, community, and faith could bring healing and joy. He shares how p...
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Episode 76
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28:46
E75: Dr. Lynn Ianni: The Pickleball Mindset That Changes Everything
Want to play better and feel better on and off the court? Psychotherapist Dr. Lynn Yanni shares simple sports psychology tools that calm nerves, boost focus, and turn pressure into joy. Learn why a quick “reset,” kinder self-talk, and “forge...
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Episode 75
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34:37
E74: Joesph R. Gannascoli: From The Sopranos to the Pickleball Court
Joesph R. Gannascoli, best known for playing Vito Spatafore on HBO's The Sopranos, shares his remarkable journey from self-taught chef to acclaimed actor and how pickleball has become an integral part of his wellness j...
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Episode 74
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34:18
E73: John Gallucci Jr: Dr. JAG’s Guide to Injury Free Pickleball
E73: John Gallucci Jr: Dr. JAG’s Guide to Injury Free PickleballDr. John Gallucci Jr. (“Dr. JAG”), CEO of JAG Physical Therapy and author of Pickleball, Pickleball, Pickleball: Don’t Get Hurt, joins us to...
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32:05
E72: Lee Baucom: Pickleball as a Path to Thriving
Thriveologist Dr. Lee Baucom joins us to unpack what it really means to thrive - on the court and in life. Fresh off Shelley’s remarkable recovery from a serious hiking accident, we dive into beginner’s mind, the “goldfish” reset, being a gr...
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Episode 72
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31:59
E71: Encore! Megan Fudge: Fast, Fierce & Family-Fueled
E71: Encore! Megan Fudge: Fast, Fierce & Family-FueledWe’re bringing back a fan favorite with Megan Fudge, the APP Tour’s top-ranked female pro with 90+ medals in just three years. She takes us from discovering pickleball d...
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Episode 71
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31:16
E70: Mani Barajas-Alexander: Pickleball Paradise: Finding Joy in Costa Rica
Mani Barajas-Alexander of Costa Rica’s Pura Vida House shares how a Division 1 tennis past, a leap of faith, and a pandemic pivot became a world-class pickleball retreat that nourishes body, mind, and soul. Mani built Pura Vida House into a ...
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Episode 70
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30:16
E69: Cheryl Rempis—Aka Samara Rayne: Timeline Shifts and Pickleball Transformations
Ever wondered how your everyday choices might be shaping alternate realities? Cheryl Rempis—better known as Samara Rayne—is the visionary behind Timeline Catalyst, where she blends nursing expertise with energy healing to help people align w...
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Episode 69
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31:06
E68: CJ Johnson: Crushing Pickleball at Any Age
CJ Johnson, co-founder of Better Pickleball, joins us to share how she's empowering adults 50+ to play smarter, stay injury-free, and embrace their inner athlete—whether they’ve been playing for years or just picked up a paddle. With decades...
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Episode 68
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37:08