Smashing Plastic Podcast

In this episode of Smashing Plastic, Kip and Chrissy share their inspiring journey from tennis to pickleball, and how the sport transformed their lives. Chrissy opens up about her personal struggles and how pickleball became a way to rediscover her fitness after undergoing gastric bypass surgery. Kip and Chrissy dive into the challenges and rewards of playing pickleball as a couple, offering insig...

Coach Tommy is back at the beautiful Pickleball Kingdom in Mount Pleasant, SC, to break down everything you need to know about DUPR — the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating system. In this episode: What is DUPR, and why does it matter? How your rating is calculated How to get an official rating without entering a tournament The role of a Certified DUPR Coach (like Coach Tommy!) Tips on how to imp...

In this episode, we visit the brand-new Pickleball Kingdom in Charleston, SC with GM Dan Watters and local player Judd Perry. From 24,000 sq ft of court space to simulators, replay tech, and DUPR-integrated scoring, this isn’t your average pickleball club—it’s the future of the sport.   We dive into: - What makes Pickleball Kingdom different - How tech is changing how we play, train, and teach - T...

What do you get when you mix a tennis background, a spontaneous trip to Naples, and ten years of grind? You get Joey Farias. On this episode, Coach Tommy sits down with Joey to talk pro pickleball beginnings, the youth scene (or lack thereof), and the challenges and opportunities ahead for growing the sport from the ground up. 🔔 Subscribe for more Smashing Plastic podcasts and stay updated on the...

In this lively spring episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy welcomes his longtime playing partner and friend, Eric Gonzalez—a retired Coast Guard veteran turned pickleball enthusiast. Eric shares how his wife “invited” him to cardio tennis, which led to discovering some local pickleball courts... and the rest is history. The two dive into Charleston’s evolving pickleball scene, thei...

Live from Funville Farm, home of Smashing Plastic Pickleball, we’re joined by Noah Winningham, one of Charleston’s top up-and-coming pickleball players! Noah shares his journey from a baseball background to being one of the top 5 players in Charleston, how he trains daily, and his ultimate goal of becoming a top 5 pro player.   We talk about: - How two old ladies humbled him on the court - The dri...

Smashing Plastic Podcast - Featuring Leonard Fox   Welcome back to the Smashing Plastic Podcast! This episode, we sit down with our good friend Leonard Fox, who started his pickleball journey way back in 2017—before the sport exploded! Leonard shares how he stumbled into the game at a local rec center, got schooled by some older players, and became obsessed with getting better. He talks about his...

Welcome to the Smashing Plastic Podcast! In this episode, Coach Tommy sits down with the incredible Katie Mell, one of the top names in Charleston pickleball! Katie is the powerhouse behind KM Pickleball Solutions, a tournament directing company that runs high-level pickleball events with precision, professionalism, and passion.   Katie shares her journey from competitive play to event organizatio...

In this episode, we welcome a special guest, William Wert (USRSA, MRT, CS, PRA), an experienced pickleball coach and director of racket sports at multiple clubs in Charleston, SC. William takes us through his inspiring journey from tennis to discovering a love for pickleball. We talk about coaching philosophy, the importance of positive energy, and how the right coach can be a game-changer for pla...

In this episode of the Smashing Pickleball Podcast, Coach Tommy goes live at the Pickle Bar with special guest Alessandro, a 40-year-old active-duty Coast Guard member and passionate pickleball player.   What’s Inside This Episode: Alessandro's journey: From tennis courts to pickleball kitchens Transitioning from competitive tennis to becoming a 4.3-rated pickleball player in just over a year Insi...

Welcome to the Smashing Plastic Podcast! In this episode, Coach Tommy sits down with Jeff Conradi, a passionate pickleball ambassador and regional rep for Head. They explore his inspiring journey from hockey coaching to becoming a driving force in the pickleball community. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this episode is packed with insights and advice to help you smash your pickleb...

Join us for this exciting episode as Coach Tommy sits down with Emily Taylor, co-owner of Litchfield Pickleball and Inlet Pickleball, based in the picturesque Pawleys Island and Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina. Emily shares her inspiring journey from tennis player to pickleball entrepreneur, creating top-tier, community-focused facilities that prioritize the love of the game.   📍 Visit Emily's Fa...

Welcome to an exciting episode of the pod where we sit down with Jake Kusmider, head pro at The Pickle Bar, former professional pickleball player, and lifelong athlete. Jake shares his incredible journey from competitive tennis to the rapidly growing world of professional pickleball. Whether you're a pickleball newbie or a seasoned player, Jake’s insights and passion will inspire you to level up y...

In this episode of The Smashing Plastic Podcast, we dive into the evolving game of pickleball with insights from Coach Tommy and performance coach Connor Derrickson. From building athleticism and longevity on the court to creating sustainable fitness habits, we explore how players at any level can improve. Plus, we discuss the exciting future of juniors in pickleball and the potential for youth pr...

Welcome to the Smashing Plastic Podcast, where we’re bringing the pickleball community together! In this episode, Coach Tommy is joined by Alisa Tolliver, the visionary owner of The Pickle Bar, an exciting pickleball and dining destination located in the bustling Nexton development of Summerville, South Carolina. Alisa shares her journey from learning pickleball during COVID to creating Charleston...

Join host Tommy Welch as he chats with Mike Krilivsky, a passionate pickleball advocate, serial entrepreneur, and co-owner of the Texas Ranchers, a Major League Pickleball team. Mike shares his journey in pickleball, his team’s intense matches, and the sport's explosive growth. With insights into MLP team building, league expansion, and behind-the-scenes stories with partners like Lil Wayne and Sc...

In this episode, Max, a seasoned tournament director and passionate pickleball player, delves into the growing pickleball scene in Charleston. He shares his vision for the future, discussing how the demand for events has skyrocketed since starting in 2023. Max highlights the importance of creating fun, competitive, and affordable experiences for all players, whether it's a casual event or a high-s...

In this episode, we dive into guest Rick Iazzi's personal journey from tennis to pickleball when a knee injury changed his game. Hear insights on building a solid foundation, the key differences between tennis and pickleball, and why so many tennis players struggle with the switch. We also talk about modern pickleball—how technology is changing the game, and the growing pickleball community that’s...

In this dynamic episode, Coach Tommy and Des Brown break down the skills, strategy, and science behind pickleball's rapid rise. Learn how Des transitioned from ping pong to pickleball, the secrets to becoming an elite player, and why coaching is all about building relationships. Whether you're competing or just playing for fun, this episode offers fresh insights into the fastest-growing sport in A...

Welcome to the Smashing Plastic Podcast, your go-to show for all things pickleball! In Episode 7, Coach Tommy brings on the most stunning guest we've ever had—Melinda Welch! Join us as Melinda shares her incredible journey from discovering pickleball during a family vacation to becoming a dedicated supporter of the sport. In this episode, you'll hear: - How a spring break trip during the COVID era...

Join us on this episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast as Coach Tommy dives into a jam-packed summer recap! It's been a wild ride across the Southeast with the coach and his travel baseball team, Summerville Vapor. Coach Tommy also shares exciting news about upcoming podcast schedules, pickleball's potential Olympic debut, and the push for making pickleball a high school varsity sport. Whether yo...

Join us in this special episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast as host Tommy Welch takes the mic solo to share his incredible journey into the world of pickleball. Discover how this passion has grown into a thriving coaching business and community in Charleston, SC.   Follow Smashing Plastic: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplasti...

In today's episode, former CSU Buccaneer and Charleston entrepreneur Joshua Gale joins the Coach in a deep dive into the exciting world of pickleball. Listen in as they share stories from the court, review gear, and discuss how to advocate for the sport in the political arena Episode Links: CHRISTMAS IN JULY SALE at https://smashingplastic.com/ https://galebird.com/ Follow Smashing Plastic: Facebo...

In today's episode, Coach Tommy sits down with special guest Van Waring, a realtor from Summerville, South Carolina, who found an unexpected passion for pickleball. Van shares his journey of discovering pickleball, building lasting friendships, and even leveraging the game for networking opportunities in his profession. Finally, the coach shares a tip on how to improve your dinking straight on.  

Join us on the latest episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast as we dive into the world of pickleball with Coach Tommy and special guest, 16-year-old phenom Cannon Corder. Discover how pickleball has become a beloved family sport, hear firsthand how Cannon transitioned from baseball to pickleball and the key tactics he's mastered to elevate his game from a 3.0 to a 4.0 level in just one year. From...