Lucky Breaks Podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Noel Flannery , an elite performance coach from Edinburgh, Scotland, and the owner of Cue Sports Hub . Noel brings a unique perspective to the table—not as a professional player, but as a specialist in the mental game with a background in high-pressure environments like Formula One. We dive deep into why the mental game is at least 50% of your performance and how...

Alex Pagulayan on Mindset, Hard Work, and How Amateurs Can Improve at Pool On the Lucky Breaks Podcast, Alex Pagulayan discusses what matters most for amateur pool players, emphasizing mindset—enjoying the game, learning, and reducing pressure after losses. He weighs hard work as more important than raw talent, saying dedication can overcome obstacles even without being a uniquely gifted player. P...

Max Adams on Playing Your Game, Mental Focus, and Better Warmups | Lucky Breaks Podcast On the Lucky Breaks Podcast, host interviews Alaska pro pool player Max Adams about learning pool as a toddler in his mom’s bar, early mentors in a hustler-heavy scene, stepping back to focus on family, and returning to serious competition around 2016. Adams discusses how Alaska players tend to be “gunslingers,...

Calm Your Cue: Gabrielle Fields on Yoga, Breathwork & the Pool Player’s Mental Game | Lucky Breaks Podcast Recorded at the BCA USAPL Nationals in Las Vegas, this Lucky Breaks podcast episode features Gabrielle Fields , who shares how yoga and breathwork improved her pool performance, emotional control after misses, endurance, and overall health after having back-to-back babies and recovering f...

Pool Coach Larry Nicholson on Fundamentals, Practice, and the Learning Journey What makes pool such a great game isn’t just making balls—it’s the life lessons you learn along the way. In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , Sue sits down with longtime PBIA/CSI instructor and trick-shot artist Larry Nicholson, who shares how a childhood belt buckle and a target drill shaped his cue-ball contr...

From Players to League Operators: Scot and Liza on Running the San Diego APA On the Lucky Breaks Podcast , San Diego APA league operators Scot and Liza discuss APA’s origins as an amateur-focused league founded by pros Terry Bell and Larry Hubbard, with rules designed to welcome beginners through handicaps, coaching, and an “anyone can win” model. They share how they started playing and joined APA...

This episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast host Sue Lueder interviews Coach Sean , a Las Vegas-based PBIA and ACS Level 1 instructor who is dedicated to both the local and junior pool scenes. Sean shares his remarkable "origin story," transitioning from a truck driver to a professional instructor after deciding to take the game seriously only a year and a half ago. Despite being a self-des...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast, the host Sue interviews Rocky, a longtime friend and ardent tournament director known for her charity pool events. Rocky shares her journey from learning to play pool in Monterey to organizing community-driven tournaments in San Diego. She highlights her work raising money for good causes, such as Baja Rescue and Miracle Ear Foundation. Rocky discusses...

In this week's episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , host Sue chats with elite pool player CJ Robinson about his journey in the sport, the importance of self-discipline, and the techniques he uses to stay calm under pressure. CJ shares his origin story, from playing pool with his father to captaining his first APA team. The conversation dives into the significance of a pre-shot routine, managi...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , a diverse panel of APA team captains gathers to share their personal journeys and experiences in captaining. The captains discuss their motivations, the mechanics of leading an APA team , and divulge their strategies for building and managing successful teams. Key topics include the importance of team chemistry, balancing competition with fun, strategi...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , host Sue Lueder dives deep into the world of professional pool with Chris Reinhold , a former junior champion and Mosconi Cup player. Chris shares his journey from a young amateur to a top-level competitor, highlighting the importance of managing attitude, ego, and mental toughness. He provides valuable tips on playing and winning against elite opponen...

Thanks to our guests and host locations for season 2! We look forward to bringing you season 3 content in 2026. Send us your feedback and any guest or content ideas to luckybreakspodcast@gmail.com . Get notified when our merch store is up and running by filling out this form: https://forms.gle/QxdFQpPS2y5QNEMZA 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝘀:  Linktree: https://linktr.ee/luckybreakspodcast Facebook - https...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks podcast, host Sue Lueder welcomes Nellie Del Rosario to discuss her impressive performance at the APA US Amateurs event in Las Vegas. Nellie delves deeply into the event's format, her strategies, and the highs and lows she experienced during her matches. The conversation covers the mental and physical aspects of competing, including the importance of maintai...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast, host Sue Lueder and guest Clint Palaci dive into the controversial topic of sandbagging in the pool. Clint shares his origins in the sport, learning to play at the age of eight, and his journey through various skill levels. The discussion covers the definition of sandbagging, its prevalence and impact on the sport, and measures taken by tournament direc...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast, host Sue Lueder sits down with PBIA master instructor Bob Jewett to explore the keys to improving at pool through practice, targeted drills, and feedback. Bob shares his journey from starting in 1964 to becoming a national champion and a respected coach. He discusses common mistakes, effective practices, and the importance of tailored instruction. Bob a...

This episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast features an insightful conversation with Abraham Diaz, a renowned artistic pool champion known for his extraordinary trick shots and cue-making skills. Hosts Sue Lueder and Rich Nemcek explore Abraham's origin story, beginning with his self-taught practice inspired by an ESPN trick shot competition, and his progression to being mentored by champions Mik...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , host Sue introduces Hydred Goldberg, a two-time Heyball Parasport champion . Hydred shares her journey of getting into pool after a life-changing car accident, her ascent to semi-pro status, and balancing a career in special effects makeup. She elaborates on Parasport, touching on the unique challenges and different skill levels within the sport. Hydre...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , we are recording at On Cue Billiards in La Mesa, CA and are joined by three accomplished female pool players - Melinda, Yen, and Nellie . They share their experiences, preparation methods, and challenges leading up to the prestigious US Amateur Championship , hosted annually by the APA. Melinda delves into her relentless 20-year journey culminating in...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , host Sue Lueder sits down with Nicolas Ha to discuss various aspects of the mental game and lifestyle elements crucial to excelling in pool. Nicolas shares his journey from picking up a pool cue at a local bowling alley to playing competitively in leagues and tournaments, including his collegiate experience at UC Davis. They explore the technical, ment...

In this episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , Sue Lueder, Erin Shulman, Mike Holt, and Michael Fernandez discuss their recent successful Scotch Doubles match with unique twists , sharing insights into pool content creation . The conversation covers the importance of community support, the challenges and rewards of producing content, and their future goals for expanding their reach. They also provi...

Ever wondered how to improve your game of pool? In this episode of The Lucky Breaks Podcast , host Sue Lueder sits down with sports vision expert and coach Jim Gorman . Jim shares his extensive experience from coaching various sports, including tennis, football, and racing, to provide insights on optimizing vision for better performance in pool and cue sports. From addressing common visual habits...

In this edition of the Lucky Breaks Podcast, we explore the experiences of the Cobra Kai pool team, captained by Abhilash and Shekhar, as they prepare for and participate in the APA 9-Ball World Championship event in Las Vegas. The episode delves into the origins of the team name, Cobra Kai, and the changes made to overcome past challenges. Key moments and strategies from their tournament journey...

Join us in this captivating episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast as host Sue Lueder delves into the fascinating world of pool hall family  dynamics with Tan and TP Tran, a talented father-son duo. Learn about Tan's early addiction to pool strategizing and TP's late blooming interest in the sport. Discover how their different paths have converged, diving deep into their insights on strategy, pressur...

In the season 1 finale of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , hosts Sue Lueder and Erin Shulman reflect on their journey of launching the show while recapping highlights from their pool careers. They share details about their recent tournament experiences and achievements, discuss the process of producing the podcast, and offer a glimpse into what's coming in Season 2. Stay tuned until the end for a sp...

In this week's episode of the Lucky Breaks Podcast , we sit down with Steve Kwon, Michael Fernandez, and Josh Watson, the dedicated team behind the revitalized San Diego Cup Pool Tournament series. They discuss their journey from taking over the series from its previous owner, Clint, to envisioning a competitive and inclusive multi-day pool event for the San Diego community. Learn about the divers...