Pickle Me This — Sharing the fun, friends & stories of rec pickleball play

Reece didn't plan on pickleball changing his life — but then again, nobody does. What started as a reluctant 7am Sunday invitation turned into both a passion and a career pivot, as this physical therapist found a whole new purpose helping pickleball players stay healthy and on the court. In this episode, Reece gets honest about the moment he almost walked away from PT altogether, how picklebal...

Shireen was just looking for a tennis court when pickleball found her — and nothing has been the same since. In this episode, she shares how the sport reignited a childlike joy she didn't know she was missing, and how showing up to open play led to friendships that now extend far beyond the courts. As a dentist, Shireen brings a fascinating lens to the game, drawing unexpected parallels between th...

Anneliese, CEO and co-founder of PickleMatch, didn't set out to build a dating app — she just needed a way to meet people after a big move and a breakup. Pickleball became her safe place, her social lifeline, and eventually the spark behind an idea that turned into a full-blown business. In this episode, she shares how the courts became her community and how that community became the foundation fo...

Thomas' journey from the foster care system to becoming a pickleball coach is a story of survival, healing, and purpose. After sports saved his life as a young person, he found himself at rock bottom before discovering pickleball—a game that gave him peace, community, and a new calling. Now as a coach and on social media as Night Train Pickleball, he's dedicated to empowering others and building c...

Daniel left a corporate IT career behind to do something that truly matters — building a space where everyone belongs. Known as @chaoticdad on social media, Daniel is also the owner of Dill Dinkers in Atlanta — and he's turned pickleball into more than just a sport. It's become a safe haven where people of all walks of life can connect, belong, and truly feel at home. His journey from disa...

Danielle, the face behind Paddle Battles on social media, discovered pickleball during the pandemic and found something tennis never gave her: pure joy without the stress. While she's fiercely competitive on the courts—her first tournament win ignited a fire that still burns—her comedic personality shines through her relatable social media content that resonates with players everywhere. From a...

Jack journey from video game enthusiast to pickleball devotee showcases the sport's power to transform lives and build unexpected connections. After a friend's invitation led him to the courts, Jack discovered more than just a new hobby—he found a vibrant community that transcended age gaps and sparked genuine friendships. His story proves that sometimes the best cure for isolation is a paddle, a...

Diego's pickleball journey took a pivotal turn when he decided to venture beyond his friend group and show up at the courts solo. That brave decision transformed his post-college isolation into a thriving social life, as the welcoming pickleball community helped him develop confidence and master the art of small talk. It has evolved into meaningful friendships, professional networking opportun...

The Big Dink Energy podcast crew—Guy, Stephanie, and Stefanie—share how pickleball transformed them from casual players into podcast hosts united by laughter and authenticity. Their chemistry shines through as they discuss how their different perspectives complement each other, whether navigating tensions during early recordings or brainstorming ideas during car rides. What started as a family ide...

John, known as Noizy Pickleball, went from living a solitary life to discovering a vibrant community through pickleball. What started with winning a set of wooden paddles evolved into a complete life transformation—improving his health, giving him a renewed sense of purpose, and helping him finally find a group where he truly belongs. His pickleball tattoo became a symbol of his commitment to the...

Former pickleball skeptic Nikki never imagined a random flyer would change her life, but that's exactly what happened when she discovered the sport during a dark period earlier this year. It quickly became a lifeline, pulling her out of a mental funk and into a vibrant, multigenerational community she didn't even know existed in NYC. Within a year, Nikki went from doubter to devotee, launc...

Meet Shayn, who discovered her fierce competitive side on the court. Between calling strategic timeouts that became the stuff of legends and surviving a ball machine disaster during her own wedding weekend, Shayn proves that pickleball is anything but boring. She dishes on why she plays with earbuds to stay in the zone, how the court became her unexpected place for self-discovery, and why pickleba...

When Issa Johnson's mom challenged him to a pickleball match, he had no idea it would ignite a family obsession that would change his life. From having to get revenge when his friend stole his partner for a tournament to pulling off a tweener shot that left his dad speechless, Issa's story captures the joy, chaos, and community that makes pickleball so addictive. Highlights The trash talki...

After relocating 90 miles from family and friends, mom Brittany and teenage daughter Emma discovered pickleball—and it transformed everything. What started as a new activity in an unfamiliar place became the bridge that brought them closer together, helping Brittany navigate 17 years of depression following the devastating loss of her first daughter. Through tournaments, community celebrations (li...

Ever think pickleball was stupid before falling completely in love with it? Evan did too—until a money ball tournament changed everything. In this episode, the former soccer player turned competitive pickleballer reveals how the sport taught him unexpected patience, opened doors to genuine friendships and business connections, and challenged his mental game in ways he never anticipated. From showi...

In this season finale, Deirdre sits down with Maddie and Jeramy, a couple who proves that pickleball isn't just a sport - it's a relationship game-changer. From competing against each other (with Maddie secretly hoping she'd finally found a sport where she could beat Jeramy) to creating their legendary friend group "Dinking Academy," their story is packed with laughs, love, a...

Vladee and his family have become legendary in the Raleigh pickleball community for their incredible warmth and welcoming spirit. Over nine years in the sport, Vladee and his family have earned a reputation as the unofficial "welcome committee" at the local rec courts, greeting every new player with genuine kindness and infectious positivity. While they're all skilled players, what t...

What happens when your neighbor knocks at the door and your life plan falls apart? Morgan's story starts with playing with her partner and neighbor and leads to an unexpected obsession that saved her after her broken engagement. In this raw and hilarious episode, Morgan reveals how pickleball became her lifeline during the darkest period of her life. From getting a fat lip the size of a pickleball...

What happens when a tough-as-nails fighter and security professional discovers pickleball? Shawn Paul's story will draw you in. From throwing punches to serving aces, he reveals how this "simple" sport literally saved his life, connected him with strangers who became family, and turned him into a traveling pickleball evangelist. Shawn's story is a testament to resilience, persona...

Meet Jason, the creative mind behind TikTok's Destination Dink! What started as his wife's gentle nudging during COVID turned into a life-changing journey filled with unexpected friendships, daily mood boosts, and creating viral pickleball content that has resonated with many. Jason proves that it's never too late to find your community - and have a blast doing it. Highlights From relu...

What started as a way to stay active after a sand volleyball injury turned into Andy's most unexpected life transformation. Without even trying, he lost 80 pounds through pickleball and discovered energy levels he never knew were possible. But the real magic happened off the court — from finding someone to tie his tie for a wedding to building an incredible social network, Andy's story pro...

As the founder of the For Fun Pickleball group, Wayne reveals how a simple invitation to play evolved into a thriving community of over 2,000 players that transformed lives across North Carolina. We dive into Wayne's story of building connections during COVID, the use of MeetUp and GroupMe to unite players, and the meaningful friendships that extend beyond the courts. He talks about the behind...

Meet "Wild Willie", a retired lawyer who refused to let retirement be a sentence to boredom. After 45 years of legal battles, Willie strategically mapped out his freedom years with five purposeful activities to ensure longeivity —pickleball being one of them. In this fun-filled episode, Willie serves up laughs with stories of embarrassing court moments and impromptu pizza deliveries, whi...

What began as Jed's pandemic hobby turned into a family obsession that Stacy initially resisted. Now she's the one who has to be peeled from the courts! The Gants reveal how pickleball became more than just a sport — transforming into Stacy's escape from her packed schedule, Jed's solution to making new friends midlife, and even a competitive battleground with their teenage son Oli...

From teenage friends to pickleball besties! In this heartwarming and hilarious episode of Pickle Me This, host Deirdre dives into the evolving friendship between Anh and Jennifer — who initially disliked each other but now can't imagine life without each other and pickleball. With laugh-out-loud stories about their wrong-door entrance that stopped the courts, secret on-court communication code...