Smashing Plastic Podcast

Pickleball legend Lee Whitwell joins Smashing Plastic for a bold, hilarious, and brutally honest conversation about where pickleball is headed — from coaching problems and pro pickleball tension to the recreational community that keeps the sport alive. Coach Tommy and Lee dig into why process-based coaching beats results-based coaching, how players can handle pressure at 9-9, and why the future of...

Smashing Plastic hits Episode 50 with returning guest Jennings Smith from the very first guest on the podcast, for a powerful conversation about pickleball growth, drilling, strategy, mindset, and the business lessons that show up on and off the court. Coach Tommy and Jennings break down how players move past the 3.5–4.0 level, why third shot drops and dinking matter, and how smarter decision-maki...

Kenzie Welch joins Smashing Plastic for a powerful conversation about pickleball community, pageant preparation, music, competition, and handling pressure before the big moment. Filmed at PickleRage in North Charleston, South Carolina, this episode blends pickleball culture with Kenzie’s journey as Miss Lowcountry Teen and her mission to reduce stress through music. Coach Tommy sits down with Kenz...

Meet Mackonner Dy, a 16-year-old junior pickleball player from Vancouver, BC, and one of Canada’s rising young talents in the sport. Already a Canadian National Champion and PPA Tour competitor, Mackonner is balancing homeschool, daily training, tournament travel, and a serious dream of going pro. In this Smashing Plastic Pickleball episode, Coach Tommy digs into Mackonner’s competitive mindset, p...

DUPR ratings are one of the hottest topics in pickleball, and this Smashing Plastic episode goes straight at the big question: how accurate is your DUPR rating, really? Tommy Welch sits down with Katie Nimitz of My Journey Pickleball and DUPR Coach to break down coach-assigned ratings, player development, DUPR reliability, club programming, and why your pickleball identity should never be wrapped...

Coach Tommy brings bold Smashing Plastic energy to a powerful conversation with Chris Singleton on pickleball, baseball, faith, coaching, adversity, and leadership. This episode dives into sports culture, mental toughness, team chemistry, positive self-talk, and how athletes can respond to failure with resilience and purpose. Chris shares his journey from Goose Creek High School to Charleston Sout...

Jack Munro joins the Smashing Plastic Podcast to talk about his rise in pro pickleball, what it takes to compete at the highest level, and where the sport is headed next. From becoming one of pickleball’s earliest young standouts to building Longhorn Pickleball at UT Austin and competing as one of the top players on the APP Tour, Jack shares his journey, mindset, and vision for the future of the g...

What separates good pickleball players from great ones? In this episode of Smashing Plastic, Coach Tommy sits down with Jill Martin (Pickleball Yogi) to break down the mental side of winning—confidence, partner communication, mixed doubles dynamics, and how to build your game around your true pickleball superpower. Jill shares powerful insights from her work with Dayne Gingrich, their book Pickleb...

Coach Tommy goes live with PPA pro Juan Benitez from the airport en route to the Palm Springs Masters—fresh off a men’s doubles win at the Punta Gorda Challenger with Camden Chaffin. Juan breaks down the daily habit that separates players who level up, what to drill if you only have 30 minutes, why most intermediates get the 3rd-shot drop footwork wrong, and the #1 underrated skill holding amateur...

Halina Slowinski is back! One of our favorite fan-favorite guests returns with a real-time tour check-in from California at the PPA Masters. Halina shares what it’s like competing as a 10-year-old junior pickleball player, how she balances homeschooling + travel, what she’s training at The Pickler & Montclair Pickleball, and the specific skills she’s focused on right now (including backhand fl...

In this episode 41 of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with Sarah Ansboury—one of the earliest professional pickleball players, a current PPA Tour competitor, and the Vice President of the Professional Pickleball Registry (PPR), the world’s largest coach registry. Sarah breaks down what’s coming in 2026 for PPR and global pickleball growth, why the sport can’t lose sight of gras...

Kitchen-first pickleball is getting exposed. In this episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with Dayne Gingrich — senior pro player, top-level coach, and co-author of Pickleball Mindset — to talk about where the game is really being played (hint: transition zone), why MLP is a different sport, and how the next generation will change everything. 00:00 Intro + who is Dayne Gi...

In this engaging conversation, Coach Tommy interviews Travis Rettenmaier, a professional pickleball player, about his journey in the sport, the future of pickleball, and the importance of community and coaching. They discuss the dynamics of professional leagues like MLP and PPA, the rise of youth pickleball, and the significance of integrity in sports. Travis shares insights on improving one's gam...

From Marriott points and a dream to coaching celebrities, calling the biggest pro events, and shaping the future of our sport—Matt "Pickleball Mcnasty" Manasse (“the pickleball coach to the stars”) sits down with Coach Tommy for a deep dive into all things pickleball. We talk about: How pickleball completely changed Matt’s life in just 5 years What it’s really like broadcasting for Pickleball TV &...

DUPR stressing you out? In this episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with DUPR CEO Tito Machado to break down exactly how pickleball ratings really work, why your number isn’t your identity, and what’s coming next for the sport — from 9 million games of data to high school & college pickleball and the youth explosion that’s just getting started. Tito talks about leavi...

16-year-old pickleball prodigy Julian Slive drops absolute gems in this episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast — revealing the mindset, grind, and game-breaking shots that are turning heads in the pro scene. From developing his two-hand roll and winning clutch points at 10-10, to his unshakable “play your game” mentality, Julian shares how he’s learning to win under pressure, chasing the dream th...

Join Coach Tommy live from the farm for an epic conversation with Chris Rodriguez of Concrete Charleston! From building top-notch pickleball courts to navigating the world of small business with integrity, these two share their experiences, insights, and a few laughs along the way. If you’re a pickleball fan, a small business owner, or just love authentic, real-life stories, this episode is packed...

In Episode 34 of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with one of the true pioneers of the sport — Scott Mannetta, founder of PickleStrong and one of the earliest ambassadors for pickleball in Charleston, SC.   Scott shares his journey from helping grow pickleball in South Carolina to now teaching and mentoring players in Florida. He opens up about the challenges of bringing public...

You know him as Charleston’s beloved weatherman, but did you know Rob Fowler is also a passionate pickleball player and podcaster? In Episode 33 of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Rob joins us to share how he went from forecasting storms to forecasting the future of pickleball in Charleston. We dive into: - Rob’s journey into pickleball and why he launched the “Rob Lob” podcast - Why rally scoring h...

In episode 32 of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy sits down with Sandy Halkett, founder of Adaptive Pickleball, to talk about how she’s making pickleball accessible to players of all abilities—what she calls “diverse-abilities.” Sandy shares how Adaptive Pickleball started during COVID, why it’s grown into a thriving nonprofit, and the powerful stories of transformation she’s witnessed—li...

In this episode 31 of Smashing Plastic, Coach Tommy sits down with pro pickleball player Anderson Scarpa at Crush Yard in Charleston, SC. From his days as a Division I tennis player to becoming one of the most respected grinders on the pro pickleball tour, Anderson shares the journey, the sacrifices, and the passion behind his rise in the sport. What you’ll hear in this episode: - Anderson’s path...

This one’s a vibe. Tommy sits down with his longtime drilling partners and good friends Ben Schofield and Joe Ambrosio for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious and heartfelt. They cover everything from how they started getting serious, to staying sharp through weekly tournaments, to why winning 50% of your points is actually elite (shoutout Roger Federer). You’ll hear gear talk, fitness con...

What happens when a leadership expert with a brand-new book steps onto the pickleball court for the first time? Ben-Jamin Toy, co-author of Becoming a Cohesive Leader, joins us to talk about mindset, growth, and the power of sucking at something new. We unpack his POWER acronym and apply it to everything from career success to resetting your pickleball game plan. This one’s packed with practical t...

In this episode, Coach Tommy goes virtual with none other than the legendary Scott Golden—a.k.a. The Golden Boy. From his roots in sports to becoming a true pickleball OG, Scott shares how pickleball changed his life after a tough season, launching him into a world of pro play, big sponsorships (hello, Golden Axe paddle), PPA commentary, and now full-time coaching with LevelUp Pickleball Camps.  ...

🎙️ Smashing Plastic Podcast: Junior Pickleball Phenom Halina (Age 9!) Talks Medals, Cruises & Dreams of Going Pro In this fun and heartwarming summer episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy is joined by a very special guest—9-year-old Halina, a rising star in junior pickleball who’s already competing in tournaments, winning medals, and putting in serious work on and off the court....