nlinton

The Real Housewives of Pickleball

Health EN ↓ 27 episodes

Pickleball is more than a game -- it's a movement.  The Real Housewives of Pickleball is a lively, unfiltered podcast where pickleball meets reinvention, community, and real life.  Through honest conversations with players, pros, and everyday people, we explore second acts, resilience, and the joy behind the fastest-growing sport.  Because it's never too late to start something new.  Two mid-life pickleball addicts share our experience in pickle and life.  

Author

nlinton

Category

Health

Latest episode

Jun 30, 2026

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Episodes

Brickwall Rising: Cody Sivan’s Plan to Fix Pro Pickleball S2/E11 30.06.2026

Hosts Natasha and Neely talk with Cody Sivan, founder of Brickwall Pickleball, about creating a player-first pro tour—covering format, payouts, accessible schedules, and regional growth. In Part 1, the episode also includes Neely & Natasha’s recovery stories (acupuncture and red light therapy), a viral pickleball clip and the online fallout, plus practical advice for players and tournament hop...

Pickleball Power Duo Ryan and Jeff Morneau: Father-Son Secrets, Behind the Scenes Look at Pickleball Breakdowns, and Viral Feud S2/E10 16.06.2026

Father-son guests Ryan and Jeff Morneau discuss Ryan’s rise as JMU’s top collegiate player and creator of Pickleball Breakdowns, Jeff’s move from law to investing in Boston Pickle Club's third club, and practical tips on technique, decision-making, and building a personal brand in the sport. The episode also covers parenting advice for young athletes and the opening of BPC's 12‑court Windsor, CT c...

From Tennis Pro to Pickleball Pro: Lina Padegimaite's Latest Chapter with PPA & Motherhood S2/E9 26.05.2026

Former college tennis player Lina shares her journey from Lithuania and UT Austin to earning a doctorate in physical therapy and finding a second athletic life in pickleball. She discusses becoming a pro, joining Major League Pickleball’s Fives, and navigating contracts, travel, and team partnerships while raising a young son. Episode highlights include practical training advice (core, single-leg...

Meet the G.O.A.T.: Ryan Reader’s Road to 4.0+ and the Pickle Arena App S2/E8 19.05.2026

Founder Ryan Reeder joins The Real Housewives of Pickleball to share the story behind Goat Paddle — from coaching and facility ownership to launching a player-focused paddle line and the new Pickle Arena app (the Instagram of Pickleball?!). He explains the brand’s “Road to 4.0+” approach, manufacturing and finishing process, and the community-first strategy that guides product design. Ryan also br...

How World No. 2 Anna Bright Trains, Thinks & Teaches (Inside Her Academy) S2/E7 05.05.2026

Hosts Natasha and Neely chat pickleball news, upcoming tournaments, and the sport’s addition to the 2028 Olympics (Correction: A source referenced in this episode regarding pickleball being added to the LA 2028 Olympics was an April Fools article.  Pickleball is not currently an official Olympic sport for LA 2028), then interview world No. 2 Anna Bright about her online pickleball Academy and brea...

Pickleball Nikki: How One Game Changed Her Life and Sparked a Movement of Joy & Community S2/E6 21.04.2026

On this episode of Real Housewives of Pickleball, hosts Neely Sullivan and Natasha Linton sit down with Nikki Maldonado (Pickleball Nikki) to hear how she found pickleball, transformed from a workaholic into a vibrant creator, and built a supportive online community. They discuss the Pickleball Joy Pledge, combating toxicity in the sport and the ‘‘honeymoon phase,’’ tournament experiences and part...

The Power of Simplicity in Pickleball: Tony Roig on The Real Reason You Aren't Winning (And How To Fix It) S2/E5 07.04.2026

Tony Roig, founder of Better Pickleball and host of the Pickleball Therapy Podcast, joins the episode to share his journey from tennis to pickleball and the principles behind the Pickleball System. He focuses on fundamentals—especially the return of serve and third-shot strategy—plus tournament prep, partner communication, timeouts, and practicing with purpose. Listeners will get practical coachin...

DUPR Under the Microscope: Tito Machado Breaks Down the Ratings S2 E4 24.03.2026

Natasha and Neely sit down with Tito Machado, CEO of Duper, to dig into the pickleball rating system, its controversial algorithm change, and the new reset feature. They discuss how Duper measures skill, reliability scores, age and gender ratings coming soon, and tips for players who feel stuck. The episode blends technical explanation with candid moments about competition, community reactions, an...

Part 2 of 2 Wally Green: From Pro Ping-Pong Star to Pickleball Maverick S2/E3 21.02.2026

In this episode Wally Green recounts his rise from nervous pro table-tennis newcomer to international star, sharing vivid stories from the pro tour, a breakthrough match in Rotterdam, and his surprising trip to North Korea where a single hug became a moment of connection. Wally explains the mental shift that saved his career—setting small, achievable goals—and how those lessons apply to pickleball...

Part 1 of 2. Saved by Ping-Pong: Wally Green's Journey from Gangs to Pickleball and the Big Screen S2/E2 04.02.2026

    CONTENT WARNING:  This episode touches on real-life experiences, violence, and mental and physical abuse.  These topics might be triggering for some listeners.  Listener discretion is strongly advised. Hosts Neely Sullivan and Natasha Linton welcome Wally Green to The Real Housewives of Pickleball for a raw, inspiring conversation about his life and career. Wally recounts growing up in Brookly...

Is Pickleball a Cult?: Traveling the World and "Coopetition" with Max "Purple Jesus" Manthou |S2 E1 15.01.2026

Neely and Natasha open Season 2 with APP pro Max Manthou (aka “Purple Jesus”), author of A Pickleball Gospel. In this episode they cover Max’s Peace Corps past, life traveling the pro tour, his book’s concept of “coopetition,” and the growing pickleball scene — including NPL indoor tournaments and Anna Leigh’s Nike deal. The episode also touches on community stories (including a life-saving kidney...

Inside COURTED Ai: Christina Chin's Vision for Smarter Pickleball |S1 E16 26.11.2025

Hosts Natasha Linton and Neely Sullivan close out the season with a lively recap of top guests and moments, a viral pickleball trash‑talk segment, and a spotlight on Neely’s new Mission Sticks performance stickers.   Top Canadian Pro Christina Chin joins the show to share her journey from hockey to pickleball, her transition into playing pickleball full-time, and her best practices for building a...

Center Court Nerves, Winning Medals, DUPR Drama and the Role of Ai in Pickleball |S1 E15 05.11.2025

In episode 15 Natasha Linton and Neely Sullivan recap recent tournaments, discuss managing nerves, mental game improvements, and share lessons from APP, NPL and local events. They explore rating systems like DUPR and AI tools such as Dinkmate, debating how technology could change player ratings and coaching. The episode closes with a lighthearted segment imagining touring pros' nine-to-five jobs.

Rick Witsken: From Junior Tennis to Leading the Future of Pickleball With the National Pickleball League (NPL) |S1 E14 08.10.2025

Rick Witsken, a former All‑American tennis player and longtime coach, reflects on his transition from professional tennis to becoming a leading force in pickleball. He co‑founded the National Pickleball League (NPL), runs Team Witsken, is co-owner of 3rd Shot Pickleball Club in Indianapolis, coaches girls and boys tennis and pickleball teams in Indianapolis and runs a podcast - This Is Pickleball...

Battle of the Sexes with Susannah Barr and Dominic Catalano: Mixed Doubles Pickleball Strategy, Coaching & Chemistry |S1 E13 23.09.2025

Hosts Neely Sullivan and Natasha Linton welcome pro/coach/co-owner of The Flying Pickle in Boise, ID Susannah Barr and commentator/coach Dominic Catalano to discuss "Battle of the Sexes" topics, including mixed-doubles strategy, coaching differences between men and women, partner selection, and pressure management on court. The goal is to help men and women better understand one another to bring t...

The Grit Factor: Rob Nunnery’s Pickleball Fight Through Crohn’s |S1 E12 12.09.2025

Hosts Neely Sullivan and Natasha Linton introduce Episode 12 featuring pro player Rob Nunnery. First up, Neely and Natasha discuss life on the NPL tour, personal setbacks, and a hilarious mistaken Instagram tag involving Howie Mandel. In Part 2, Rob opens up about his early life, career journey, Crohn’s diagnosis, the perianal fistulas and abscesses that led to surgery and a colostomy, and how he...

From Carpool to Court: Audrey "PickleballMama" Banada on Balance, Family, and Raising Aspiring Pickle Pros |S1 E11 19.08.2025

Audrey Banada—"Pickleball Mama"—joins the podcast to share her journey from University of Miami tennis to pro pickleball, how she built an online coaching brand, and why she balances competing with homeschooling her kids. The episode covers networking and tournament tips, parenting and coaching philosophies, the chaos of family travel, observing the Sabbath, and practical advice for players lookin...

Coach Scott Fliegelman on Reinvention, Resilience and the Road Less Traveled |S1 E10 08.07.2025

Join us on the Real Housewives of Pickleball podcast as we welcome Coach Scott Fliegelman, a sports enthusiast turned pickleball professional. In this episode, Scott shares his captivating journey from being a multi-sport athlete to dedicating his career to the booming sport of pickleball. We delve into Scott's personal experiences with major life transitions, the addictive allure of pickleball, a...

Limiting Beliefs: The Mental Battles Athletes Face (And How to Fight Back) |S1 E9 23.06.2025

Welcome back to the latest episode of the Real Housewives of Pickleball podcast, where hosts Nealey Sullivan and Natasha Linton explore the significant topic of limiting beliefs in the game and how to reframe them. In a candid discussion, they delve into the most common pickleball fears and insecurities faced by players, offering live workshops and reframes to turn fears into opportunities. The ep...

Megan Fudge Has it All: One Woman's Unique Journey to Conquer the Pickleball World | S1 E8 09.06.2025

Join hosts Natasha and Neely on today's episode of Real Housewives of Pickleball as they sit down with Megan Fudge, a top-tier professional pickleball player and international ambassador of the sport. Megan opens up about her unique lifestyle where she balances the rigorous demands of the pro tour while living a minimalist life with her family in an RV. Discover how Megan and her husband, Ryler De...

Mind Your Manners: Pickleball Etiquette 101 |S1 E7 27.05.2025

Welcome to an engaging episode of the Real Housewives of Pickleball podcast, hosted by Nealey Sullivan and Natasha Linton. In this episode, we delve into the essential aspects of Pickleball etiquette, exploring the unspoken rules, customs, and traditions that uphold respect and fairness both on and off the court. We break down etiquette practices from pre-match preparations, such as showing up on...

Pickleball Cross-training: Tips from Dr. Brien Lee |S1 E6 06.05.2025

Welcome to another episode of the Real Housewives of Pickleball podcast, where pickleball enthusiasts gather for a mix of sass and smashes. In this episode, hosts Neely and Natasha are joined by Dr. Brian Lee, a renowned expert in sports medicine and a pickleball enthusiast, to discuss smart training techniques for players of all ages. Dr. Lee shares his insights on injury prevention, effective wa...

From PTA to APP: One Mom's Competitive Comeback |S1 E5 22.04.2025

Welcome to the latest episode of the Real Housewives of Pickleball! Join hosts Neely Sullivan and Natasha Linton as they explore the vibrant world of pickleball while tackling the challenges and joys of motherhood. In honor of Autism Awareness Month, we discover how Alka Stripolli handles her love for the game with the demands of an autistic diagnosis with one of her sons, her family life, proving...

Unlocking Mental Toughness with Dr. Jim Loehr |S1 E4 03.04.2025

Join Neely Sullivan and Natasha Linton in this insightful episode of the Real Housewives of Pickleball Podcast as they unravel the secrets to mental toughness with the legendary Dr. Jim Loehr. This episode dives deep into the often-overlooked aspect of sports that can make a significant difference in performance - the mental game. From personal experiences to expert techniques, Neely and Natasha e...

DUPR: A Love-Hate Relationship in the Pickleball World |S1 E3 20.03.2025

Join Natasha Linton and Neely Sullivan as they dive into the complexities of the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR) system in this engaging episode of "The Real Housewives of Pickleball." Is DUPR a true reflection of your skills, or just another number adding pressure to the game? Discover the passionate debate ignited by this controversial rating system and hear various perspectives from...

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