Vida Tennis

We sit down with Adam Blicher, national coach of the Faroe Islands and author of 'Winning Words: How to Unlock Potential through Communication.' Adam, who also hosts the 'Dissecting High Performance in Tennis' podcast, shares his journey from a junior player in Denmark to becoming a coach at a very young age. He discusses the importance of having a coaching philosophy, the interplay of sports psyc...

Don't miss this new episode with Todd Ley, former junior tennis prodigy and the author of 'Smashed: Tennis Prodigies, Parents, and Parasites.' Todd shares his journey from being the world's top junior tennis player to burning out and retiring by 17 . He reflects on growing up in a toxic tennis environment, his battles with addiction, and the cathartic process of writing his book. U...

Tune in as welcome visionary nonprofit leader and CEO of USTA Mid-Atlantic, Tara Fitzpatrick Navarro! Tara shares her journey from the parks and recreation world to becoming a key figure in tennis innovation, inclusion, and accessibility. Learn about the transformative programs she has spearheaded, including 'Girls Rule the Court,' which aims to empower young girls from underrepresented co...

Welcome to the latest episode of Vida Tennis, hosted by Jennifer Gellhaus. In this episode, Jennifer chats with Lane Evans, a tennis and golf performance specialist with over 45 years of experience. Currently, the head tennis coach at Westchester Country Day School and president of Lane Evans Tennis and Golf Performance, Lane shares his extensive background and unique approach to coaching. From hi...

Join Vida Tennis Podcast as we chat with Alex Chan, a tennis professional with over 14 years of experience. Alex delves into his late start in tennis during high school, his extensive work with the USTA Mid-Atlantic Section, and his transition to community engagement and digital content creation. Now the Director of Systems Operations at SIDAF Foundation, Alex shares insights into his career, his...

Join Jennifer Gelhaus on Vida Tennis as she interviews Dominique Lemperle, a formidable figure in the racquet sports world. From transitioning from a successful career in TV as a statistician and graphics specialist to becoming a celebrated coach and competitor in tennis, pickleball, and padel, Dominique shares her remarkable journey! The discussion covers her career switch, her insights on the fa...

Join host Jennifer Gelhaus on this episode of Vida Tennis as she sits down with Mariaan de Swardt, Director of Racquets at Westwood Country Club and former professional tennis player. Marianne shares her journey from a career high ranking of 28 in singles and 11 in doubles, to winning the 1999 Australian Open and 2000 French Open mixed doubles. Learn how she transitioned from professional sports t...

Tune in as host Jennifer Gelhaus sits down with Chris Gale, a powerhouse in racquet sports leadership! Chris, about to take on the role of Director of Racquets at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, shares his incredible journey from a tennis-obsessed kid in Australia to becoming a leader and respected figure in the industry. Gain insights into leading successful racquet programs at prestigious club...

Dive into the world of tennis with Cari Buck, a lifelong tennis professional who's lived and breathed the sport since childhood. From summers on Cape Cod to working with Tennis Channel and now directing the racquets program at the Griffin Club in LA, Cari shares her incredible journey through the tennis industry which is a masterclass in embracing the unexpected and pushing beyond familiar boundar...

In this episode of the Vida Tennis Podcast, host Jennifer Gelhaus welcomes the dynamic Jarrett Chirico, a trailblazer in the world of racquets! From his early days as a top junior player to his current role as Director of Racquets at Royal Oaks Country Club and founder of the Directors Club of America, Jarrett shares his inspiring journey of resilience, reinvention, and leadership. He reveals how...

Dive into the world of tennis with Meredith Geiger Walton, a true superstar in the industry! From NCAA All-American to USPTA National Touring Coach of the Year, Meredith shares her incredible journey and insights on coaching, the rise of pickleball, and balancing a tennis career with family life. Learn about the challenges and rewards of being a female coach, the importance of mentorship, and how...

In this captivating episode of Vida Tennis, we sit down with Kyle LaCroix, a USPTA Master Pro and founder of SETS Consulting, for an inspiring conversation that will transform your perspective on coaching and career development. With over 30 years of experience in the tennis industry, Kyle shares invaluable insights on his journey from a late-starting tennis player to a sought-after speaker and me...

In this captivating episode of Vida Tennis we welcome Craig Thompson, a sports industry expert with an illustrious career spanning volleyball, equestrian, UEFA's Champions League and the America's Cup. Now CEO of MindSpring, Craig shares his passion for padel and offers fascinating insights into the rapidly evolving world of global sports. Discover why padel is taking the world by storm, with cour...

In this episode of the Vida Tennis podcast, we welcome Tarek Francis, a seasoned tennis coach and entrepreneur based in Brussels, with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Tarek shares his inspiring journey from corporate life at Nike and IBM to becoming a multifaceted leader in tennis. He discusses his diverse projects, including the Ikigai Business and Leadership Academy, Salon Tennis, a...

In this episode we welcome Conor Casey, a former professional and collegiate tennis player who now serves as the head pro at Kingston Tennis Club. Known for his humorous and engaging presence on Instagram as @coachconorcasey, Conor shares his unique journey from aspiring pro to beloved coach, revealing how he found joy in teaching after initially struggling with the pressures of competition. The c...

Dr. Groppel shares his remarkable journey, seamlessly blending science and tennis into an extraordinary career. From walking onto the University of Illinois tennis team to becoming the youngest NCAA coach at 25, his path was anything but ordinary. He delves into his groundbreaking work in biomechanics, co-founding the USTA Sports Science Committee, and developing a revolutionary mind-body training...

In this episode, host Jennifer Gelhaus interviews Ashley Owens, co-founder of Court Reserve, a tennis software company. Ashley shares how she and her husband Tim created Court Reserve to solve inefficiencies in court booking systems at their local club. From customer-driven development to extensive customization options, Court Reserve prioritizes addressing real needs of tennis clubs and players....

In the latest episode of the Vida Tennis Podcast, join us for an insightful conversation with Ruben Herrera, managing director of Base Tennis in Germany. Ruben, a co-founder of Base Edge and Exo Sports Management, is at the forefront of sports technology innovation, pioneering the implementation of Playsight on all their courts. Through his ventures, he provides consulting services to elevate trai...

Discover the latest episode of the Vida Tennis Podcast featuring Margie Zesinger, Head of Female Tennis at IMG Academy. With over two decades at IMG and mentoring by Nick Bollettieri, Margie shares her wealth of experience and wisdom. From coaching top junior players to shaping aspiring athletes' careers, Margie's impact is profound. Join us as Margie delves into her journey, offering insights int...

Join us for the latest episode of the Vida Tennis podcast featuring Aaron Rusnak, a seasoned tennis coach with 27 years of experience. Based in Chicago, Aaron's expertise spans various training methodologies and certifications, including PTR and GPTCA accreditation. As a specialist in racquet fit and resistance band training, Aaron excels in developing competitive junior players, having managed a...

Tune in to the latest episode of the Vida Tennis podcast featuring Andy Durham, the brains behind RacketStats, a groundbreaking tennis statistics app. With 50 years of coaching experience, Andy's expertise spans all levels, from beginners to ATP and WTA pros. As a member of PTR and USPTA, Andy is passionate about analytics and has even revolutionized HBO's Wimbledon coverage with his insights. Joi...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Patricio Misitrano, a leading figure in the world of racquet sports. With over two decades of experience, Patricio's visionary approach has revolutionized the industry. As the co-founder of SkullU Paddle and Tango Sports, Patricio has spearheaded initiatives like the Fairfield-Westchester Pickleball League, boasting over 2,000 players. Additionally, he's...

Discover the inspiring journey of Bill Riddle, head coach of The University of Tennessee Southern's tennis teams, on the latest episode of the Vida Tennis Podcast. With over 35 years of experience, Bill's expertise as a PTR International Master Professional and USPTA Master Professional has earned him recognition as the 2021 USPTA Southern Pro of the Year. Tune in to explore Bill's remarkable care...

Join us for an enlightening episode of the Vida Tennis Podcast with Robyn Duda, co-founder of RacquetX, as we explore the art of event strategy. Robyn's expertise has earned her acclaim from global brands like Coca-Cola and IBM. Discover invaluable insights into crafting unforgettable experiences and executing flawless events. Plus, learn about RacquetX – a premier festival engaging racquet sport...

Dive into a new Vida Tennis episode as we hit the links and welcome Megan Padua Buzza, who I know from my time at the Maidstone Club where she was the head pro for junior golf for 15 years! Megan holds certifications from both the PGA and LPGA, a testament to her expertise. Recognized as a Top 50 LPGA Teacher and one of Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America, Megan is also distinguished as a...