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Catherine Parenteau and her coach (and wife) Athena Trouillot join Pickleballers for a wide-open conversation about love, pressure, and what it takes to sustain greatness. Catherine walks us through her journey from Montreal tennis prodigy to pickleball star: the early days with Simone Jardim, the US Open win that changed her trajectory, going full-time on tour, and the realities of splitting with Anna Leigh Waters after a dominant run.
Athena shares the story from her side—how their relationship began, why coaching your spouse is both tricky and rewarding, and how they’ve built a small team and brand around Catherine’s career. We also get into mindset, handling recency bias, future family plans, and what life might look like after pro pickleball.
If you enjoy behind-the-scenes stories from the top of the sport, competing mindsets, and practical takeaways on building a career in pickleball, this one’s a must-watch.
Delivered by @DoorDash ! 🚘
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1:21 Intro
1:54 Growing up in Montreal and falling in love with sports
2:58 College tennis journey: Arkansas to Michigan State
4:56 The first time Catherine tried pickleball
6:54 Inside Michigan’s early pickleball scene
8:26 Tough college days
10:05 Athena’s story and background
11:21 Forced doubles partners turned best friends
14:12 Shoulder injuries that led Catherine to pickleball
15:21 How their relationship really began
19:13 Eleven years strong as partners on and off court
22:08 Catherine’s unstoppable drive to compete
25:03 Living to train, staying balanced, and planning for a family
27:02 From small local events to big prize money
28:13 The PPA letter that changed everything
30:05 Balancing coaching, sponsorships, and full-time play
31:17 Going all-in as a professional pickleball player
32:14 Building a brand and growing a following
34:16 The US Open breakthrough win
37:23 Dominating singles and claiming her first PPA title
38:23 Tennis roots in pickleball
40:01 The Nationals controversy and public backlash
47:02 Parting ways with Anna Leigh Waters
49:32 The electric MLP Dallas dreambreaker moment
53:04 How marriage and coaching mix on tour
56:01 Handling pressure, perspective, and recency bias
57:30 Life beyond pickleball – animals, purpose, and what’s next
Brazilian pickleball pro Eric Oncins joins Pickleballers to share his journey from growing up in São Paulo to becoming one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars.
Eric opens up about his father’s tennis legacy, discovering pickleball in 2017, training under Simone Jardim, and the heated match with Johnny Goldberg that changed everything. After back-to-back pro titles in Asia, he’s now a global fan favorite bringing fire, flair, and emotion to the court.
From being drafted by MLP Miami to signing with the PPA Tour, Eric’s story is proof that passion and perseverance can take you anywhere — and that the next great pickleball star might come from anywhere in the world. 🌎🔥
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(1:20) – Early tournaments and first impressions
(2:19) – How Eric started playing pro pickleball
(3:00) – Growing up in Brazil
(5:58) – Moving to the U.S. for tennis
(8:08) – Discovering pickleball in 2017
(9:19) – Playing early tournaments with his dad
(12:16) – Mentorship from Simone Jardim
(14:10) – Leaving pickleball to pursue college tennis
(17:10) – The infamous match against Johnny Goldberg
(21:32) – Getting drafted to MLP Miami
(27:23) – Bringing energy and personality to pickleball
(28:40) – Why emotion matters in sports
(30:43) – Eric’s legendary father Jaime Oncins
(35:38) – Moving to Nashville and mentorship from Simone Jardim
(39:20) – Signing with the PPA and turning full-time
(40:04) – The Asia trip that changed everything
(47:23) – How pickleball is growing in Asia
(49:09) – Comparing Asian and U.S. talent
(50:57) – Florida training culture
(53:56) – Discipline — what separates pros from amateurs
(54:54) – Tyson’s viral “backhand flick” comment
(56:22) – Life outside pickleball and future goals
(1:01:10) – Handling trash talk and mental warfare
(1:02:40) – The mindset behind confidence and preparation
Season 2 of Pickleballers kicks off with a bang as we’re joined by the greatness of the GOAT himself — Ben Johns. Widely considered the Michael Jordan of pickleball, Ben has racked up 150+ gold medals and once ripped off a 108-match winning streak in singles. Mind-bending dominance.
In this episode, Ben opens up about what it’s really like to be the greatest pickleball player alive. He takes us back to his childhood, the moment he fell in love with the game, and how Kyle Yates took him under his wing as he climbed to World No. 1.
Ben also shares never-before-heard stories about his on-court dynamic with his brother Collin Johns, the criticism that he can sometimes look too relaxed, and whether he believes the “next Ben Johns” even exists.
The GOAT. The era. The legacy. Episode 1 starts now.
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(00:00) - Intro
(02:05) - Austin vs. Boca lifestyle
(03:41) - Childhood in Maryland and homeschooling
(05:00) - Table tennis and siblings
(07:15) - Collin’s tennis career
(10:16) - How Ben discovered pickleball
(12:14) - First tournament at the 2016 US Open
(13:38) - Kyle Yates’ mentorship in 2017
(18:55) - When Ben realized pickleball was his future
(20:45) - Ben’s college years
(24:17) - Engineering pickleball paddles
(26:11) - Lifetime deal with JOOLA
(28:07) - Why JOOLA’s leap into pickleball was genius
(29:03) - When Kyle Yates “created a monster”
(30:25) - The 2018–2019 domination run
(32:11) - Building chemistry with Simone and facing Tyson
(33:15) - Mindset, pressure, and staying humble
(35:28) - Why learning faster keeps Ben ahead
(38:11) - Drilling with Collin and mastering patterns
(39:13) - Developing the two-handed backhand counter
(40:41) - The Matt Wright partnership years
(41:04) - Handling pressure, fans, and criticism
(43:01) - When losing becomes data, not defeat
(44:19) - Battling focus, boredom, and longevity
(46:02) - PPA control vs. MLP chaos
(48:04) - Why playing with Ben isn’t easy
(50:26) - The Collin chapter and the difficult split
(53:46) - How paddle tech changed the sport
(56:50) - Power vs. spin and what fans really want
(59:37) - 2019 vs. 2025 pickleball
(01:01:29) - What Ben wishes he had—and what really wins matches
(01:03:03) - The art of decision-making and playing percentages
(01:06:59) - The moments that humbled Ben Johns
(01:10:06) - Legacy, perspective, and doing things right
(01:11:33) - The search for the next Ben Johns
(01:12:36) - What Ben learned from Asia
(01:14:23) - Could Ben and Anna Leigh win men’s doubles?
(01:15:59) - Who’s more dominant—Ben or Anna Leigh?
(01:16:15) - How two Anna Leighs would fare in men’s doubles
Today on Pickleballers, we sit down with the most powerful man in pickleball, Connor Pardoe. He is the CEO of the UPA (the combined PPA Tour + MLP). Connor shares his origin story, how he fell in love with the game, and the napkin-math that became the PPA. He walks us through exclusivity with players, the pivotal partnership with Tom Dundon, the wild Kansas City “Tour Wars” weekend, and why unifying pro pickleball under UPA changed everything.
We dig into the new three-year extensions, the shift toward prize-money-driven earnings, how MLP and PPA now run in distinct seasons, and the bigger vision: turning millions of doers into viewers with bigger moments, bigger purses, and a more premium product for fans and players alike.
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(0:00) – Intro – Connor Pardoe, CEO of PPA & MLP
(2:00) – Early Life
(6:40) – Marriage young, Mormon culture, and family values
(9:57) – First time playing pickleball with his dad
(12:28) – Family life with two sets of twins
(14:39) – Early career in real estate development
(15:55) – First tournaments and falling in love with pickleball
(18:39) – Atlanta event and first exposure to pro pickleball
(20:22) – Founding the PPA Tour: napkin math and early vision
(23:39) – Launching Mesa with $50,000 prize money
(27:35) – Leaving real estate to go all-in on pickleball
(31:12) – Signing Ben Johns and legitimizing the PPA
(35:18) – Partnering with Tom Dundon – equity, not cash
(41:20) – Scaling up operations and rapid growth
(46:21) – Meeting Tom Dundon at 26 and early PPA expansion
(47:19) – Enter Steve Kuhn and the birth of MLP
(50:05) – Early meetings, team pickleball tension, and exclusivity battles
(52:13) – VIBE league launch and celebrity owners lined up
(55:57) – Kansas City chaos – player contracts and the tour wars explode
(1:01:22) – Locking in Anna Leigh Waters and Ben Johns saves the PPA
(1:07:56) – Why unification ultimately helped the sport
(1:12:56) – New contracts – guarantees plus prize money
(1:17:39) – Turning doers into viewers – growing the fan base
(1:20:00) – The future of pro pickleball and closing thoughts
In this episode of the Pickleballers podcast, we sit down with Dekel Bar, one of the best pickleball players in the world, with over 30 PPA medals to his name. Dekel shares his journey growing up in Israel, battling through the brutal grind of professional tennis, and eventually finding pickleball through his close ties with the Johns family. We dive into his struggles with injuries, his rise on the pickleball tour, what it’s like to have one of the most feared serves in the game, and his thoughts on paddle technology, PPA vs MLP, and the future of pro pickleball. Along the way, Dekel ranks his top five players in the world, shares war-ready teammate picks from the PPA tour, and clears up some hilarious internet rumors about his “girlfriends.”
(0:00) Intro and Dekel’s background
(2:24) Growing up in Israel and choosing tennis
(5:02) The grind of professional tennis
(8:27) Injuries and mental toll of tennis
(10:20) Finding pickleball through the Johns family
(14:46) First tournaments and early results
(16:30) Breakthrough with Adam Stone
(19:00) Balancing school and pickleball
(20:50) Developing one of the biggest serves on tour
(24:00) Paddle technology and evolution of the game
(26:48) How much power is too much?
(28:31) Ranking the top five male players
(30:35) Ranking the top women players
(31:09) Inside the Johns family circle
(33:00) Record vs the Johns brothers
(34:10) Long-term goals and resurgence
(36:23) PPA vs MLP and the future of pro pickleball
(38:14) MLP formats and home crowd concept
(40:47) What a 4.0 needs to reach 4.5
(42:24) Serving in the Israeli army — who makes the best soldiers?
(44:40) Funniest pickleball story and girlfriend rumors
(46:41) Closing thoughts and outro
Today on Pickleballers, we sit down with two legends of the senior pro game: Beth Bellamy, a top-ranked 50+ women’s pro with 99 medals, multiple US Open and National titles, former WTA tennis star, and co-founder of the National Pickleball League, alongside Scott Moore, a 21-time USA Pickleball National Champion, 12-time US Open winner, Hall of Famer, and founder of Pickleball Trips. We dive into their incredible journeys from tennis to pickleball, the rise of the senior pro game, the creation of the NPL, Scott’s famous “dance timeout,” Beth’s transition to pickleball dominance, and how they stay competitive and injury-free at the highest level beyond 50. Packed with history, stories, strategy, and lessons, this episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about the game.
(0:00:00) – Intro: Beth Bellamy & Scott Moore
(0:01:01) – Roscoe introduces his mom & Scott
(0:02:28) – Beth’s early tennis journey
(0:05:00) – Junior Grand Slams & turning pro
(0:09:06) – Facing Billie Jean King at Wimbledon
(0:11:30) – Beating Martina Navratilova
(0:12:00) – DoorDash giveaway
(0:12:42) – Scott’s path through racket sports
(0:15:05) – Discovering pickleball in 2011
(0:17:03) – First Nationals & finding his calling
(0:19:08) – Becoming the #1 senior player
(0:20:00) – Beth discovers pickleball during COVID
(0:22:29) – First tournaments & new goals
(0:23:40) – Parenting, empty nest & pickleball
(0:25:37) – Life in Japan & raising a family
(0:27:36) – Why no trash cans in Japan
(0:28:31) – Daniel Moore becomes a pickleball star
(0:29:21) – Starting Pickleball Trips
(0:32:02) – Founding the NPL (National Pickleball League)
(0:36:31) – NPL’s unique team format
(0:38:04) – Scott’s famous US Open dance timeout
(0:41:16) – Strategy talk: skills + brain swap
(0:42:25) – Nick Kyrgios in pickleball?
(0:43:09) – Training Japan’s #1 soft tennis player
(0:45:03) – The rise of Asian pickleball
(0:46:04) – Paddle technology changes everything
(0:49:26) – Who was the best before Ben Johns?
(0:52:13) – Three generations win gold in one day
(0:55:04) – Pickleball as a lifetime sport
(0:55:39) – Message to future players
(0:57:02) – Staying fit & injury-free over 50
(1:00:45) – Closing thoughts: relationships matter most
#Pickleball #Pickleballers #Podcast #senior #NPL #MLP #PPA #PickleballLife #Pickleballers #PickleballersPodcast #BethBellamy #ScottMoore #USOpen #Sports #Highlights #TheKitchen
Thomas Wilson, one of the most athletic and beloved players in pro pickleball, joins the Pickleballers crew for an inspiring and emotional episode. Thomas opens up about his journey from college tennis to the pro pickleball stage, his battles with life-threatening health challenges, and the resilience it’s taken to fight his way back. He shares his long road through fertility struggles, the joy of adopting two beautiful daughters, and his hopes to return to the court.
(00:00) – Intro
(00:54) – Thomas’s positive energy and presence on tour
(02:00) – Growing up in Texas and college tennis journey
(04:06) – Meeting his wife and Bible college experience
(06:23) – Working at a prayer call center
(08:03) – Career in insurance and software sales
(08:09) – Thomas and Britney’s long fertility journey
(10:29) – Adopting Holland and Haven
(13:20) – First pickleball experiences and family tournaments
(14:02) – Training with his parents
(14:26) – Early tournaments and breakthrough matches
(16:17) – Deciding to go full-time in pickleball
(18:05) – MLP championship and connection with Drew Brees
(19:57) – Playing eight days after heart surgery
(20:50) – Discovering Wolf Parkinson White syndrome
(23:39) – New health challenges after heart surgery
(25:00) – Severe breathing issues and hospital stays
(26:49) – Emotional toll and uncertainty about living
(27:56) – Exploring holistic treatments and peptides
(32:01) – Goals for returning to pickleball
(33:27) – Perspective shift after adopting children
(35:35) – Desire to play with Vivian David again
(37:42) – Meeting Hunter and Yates Johnson
(39:26) – Moving to New Braunfels, Texas
(39:37) – Oakfire Ridge pickleball resort project
(42:24) – Toughest opponents and playing against Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters
(43:36) – Partnership with Julian Arnold in MLP
(44:59) – Challenges for tennis players transitioning to pickleball
(46:04) – Who Thomas would take on a 10-hour road trip
(47:30) – Jeff Johnson’s positive energy
(48:39) – Adjusting to the modern pace of the game
(49:25) – Funniest pickleball memes about Thomas
(49:31) – Advice for players to improve their game
(49:55) – Closing thoughts and support for Thomas’s recovery
James Valentine, lead guitarist of Maroon 5 and passionate pickleball player, joins the Pickleballers crew for an unmissable episode. James shares his journey from Nebraska to the global stage of music, the grind behind Maroon 5’s rise, and how his love for tennis led him to discover his newest addiction, pickleball.
(00:00) – Intro
(01:10) – From Nebraska to LA
(04:18) – How James joined Maroon 5
(06:40) – Playing bars and paying dues
(08:18) – Musical influences that shaped him
(10:19) – Meeting John Mayer
(12:43) – Touring with music legends
(14:19) – Maroon 5’s first album journey
(16:07) – Headlining shows and selling out arenas
(17:03) – Milestone moments: Saturday Night Live and Letterman
(18:26) – Life and bonds in the band today
(19:53) – Spotlight on Adam Levine: the frontman’s pressure
(21:02) – The evolution of Maroon 5’s songwriting
(23:40) – Sneak peek: new album and upcoming tour
(31:09) – Transitioning from tennis to pickleball
(33:41) – First pickleball match in Vegas
(35:13) – The flow state: where music meets sport
(37:08) – Pickleball on the road: finding community
(38:05) – Local courts and training with Mariano
(39:39) – Celebrity pickleball
(41:01) – The addictive flow of pickleball
(43:22) – Pickleball strategy
(43:43) – Watching and learning from the pros
(44:55) – Celebrity pro-am experiences
(46:14) – MLP: pro matches
(47:30) – Peeling back the layers of pickleball
(48:12) – Current skill level and tournament play
(50:23) – The competitive scene of pickleball
(51:16) – Musicians who’d crush on the pickleball court
(55:07) – Pickleball or guitar
(56:16) – Paddle picks
(57:06) – Final thoughts
Hunter and Yates Johnson, twin brothers making their mark in the world of pickleball, join the Pickleballers crew for a must-listen episode. They share their journey from professional tennis to pickleball, diving deep into the highs and lows of competition, life on tour, and overcoming injuries.
We also talk about Hunter’s incredible rise to becoming the number two singles player in the world and the dedication it took to get there. Hunter opens up about his public breakup with Parris Todd in one of the most candid moments of the show. Packed with real stories, honest conversations, and plenty of laughs, this episode offers an inside look at the sport’s most fascinating personalities.
(00:00:00) – Introduction with Hunter and Yates Johnson
(00:02:05) – Childhood sports and choosing tennis
(00:03:27) – College tennis at SMU and turning pro
(00:04:08) – Twins’ bond and on-court communication
(00:05:15) – Growing up active and family support
(00:06:50) – Early connection with Roscoe and friendships
(00:08:22) – Building relationships on the pickleball tour
(00:09:31) – Deciding to go pro and tennis tour grind
(00:11:49) – Yates’ wrist injury and its impact
(00:15:10) – First impressions of pickleball
(00:16:59) – Learning and improving in pickleball
(00:20:23) – Infamous match against Johnny Goldberg and Jeff Warnick
(00:22:6) – Crazy tennis stories: robbery in Dominican Republic
(00:26:46) – Betting scandals and match-fixing in tennis
(00:31:49) – Transition from tennis to pickleball
(00:33:35) – Early pickleball struggles and breakthroughs
(00:34:28) – Yates’ injury and Hunter’s rise in pickleball
(00:38:17) – Hunter’s mental shift and path to success
(00:41:18) – Breakup with Parris Todd
(00:43:37) – Joining the Mad Drops team
(00:46:11) – How Ben Johns joined the Mad Drops
(00:49:48) – Predictions for upcoming MLP events
(00:51:34) – Yates’ return from injury and future plans
(00:54:27) – Building the perfect “Johnson” pickleball player
(00:56:00) – Hypothetical bear encounter on tour
(00:57:44) – Who would win a PPA swim contest?
(00:58:45) – Ideal date night with Genie Bouchard
Drew Brees, Super Bowl MVP and one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, joins the Pickleballers crew for one of the most inspiring and wide-ranging episodes we’ve ever done. Drew opens up about almost quitting football in high school, battling through injuries, getting benched in the NFL, and the mindset that helped him become a legend.He also shares how beating Andy Roddick in junior tennis shaped his competitive fire, why he chose New Orleans over Miami, and how he fell in love with pickleball after retirement. From mental toughness and leadership to franchise investing and the growth of the sport, Drew drops gems the entire episode. This one’s a masterclass in perseverance and passion.
(00:00) – Intro
(00:53) – Who’s the best celebrity pickleballer?
(02:15) – Drew’s journey: from Austin kid to pro athlete
(04:06) – How tennis & baseball shaped his football career
(07:03) – Playing Andy Roddick & childhood sports stories
(11:46) – The turning point: almost quitting football
(14:00) – Tearing his ACL & building mental toughness
(16:02) – Why adversity matters
(18:25) – NFL beginnings
(20:52) – Getting benched & battling for his career
(23:38) – Competing with Philip Rivers & proving himself
(25:04) – Peak performance: what it takes mentally
(27:27) – Decision-making over stats: a QB’s philosophy
(30:31) – Losing arm strength & adapting his game
(31:06) – The Chargers injury that changed everything
(34:12) – The comeback decision: football or retire rich?
(35:12) – Miami vs. New Orleans: why he chose the Saints
(37:06) – New Orleans post-Katrina: “This is bigger than football”
(39:34) – Discovering pickleball & building a backyard court
(41:14) – The viral post that launched his pickleball journey
(42:15) – Investing in MLP & the Pickler franchise
(45:54) – NOLA Picklefest: bringing community & charity together
(47:27) – Should athletes give back? Drew’s perspective
(49:04) – Tennis vs. pickleball vs. padel: Drew picks his favorite
(50:28) – Best athlete in pro pickleball? Drew weighs in
(51:24) – Could Tom Brady play pickleball?
(52:01) – Island scenario: Drew picks his dream team
(52:59) – Final thoughts & why Drew inspires so many
Doug Ellin, the creator of one of the greatest TV shows in history, Entourage, joins the Pickleballers crew for one of the most entertaining episdoes to date. Doug goes into his career before Entourage, how the show became a cultural phenomenon, how he became perhaps the biggest pickleball lover in America, and so much more. Doug is directly responsible for the boom of pickleball in Southern California and has played a huge role in introducing tons of celebrities, athletes, and pros to the sport.
(00:00) – Meet The Godfather of Pickleball
(02:56) – Doug’s career before Hollywood
(04:56) – How a short film led to Showtime
(06:58) – Almost directed The Parent Trap at (22)
(08:04) – Film school and making The Pitch
(10:00) – Working with David Schwimmer & Jon Cryer
(11:04) – His first feature films and big breaks
(12:23) – From Hollywood high to movie jail
(13:12) – The birth of Entourage
(14:27) – Building the world of Vince & E
(15:56) – Casting, rewrites, and HBO drama
(18:05) – How Entourage became a hit
(20:00) – The hard work behind Entourage
(22:25) – Directors, mistakes, and lucky breaks
(25:32) – The moment Doug knew it worked
(28:43) – How Entourage took over pop culture
(30:06) – Leaving Entourage and the toll it took
(31:20) – The Entourage movie
(35:25) – Doug discovers pickleball with Phil Mickelson
(37:31) – Early days with Anna Leigh Waters
(39:11) – Trying to buy into pickleball early
(41:12) – How the game outgrew him
(43:42) – Pickleball changed forever during COVID
(45:53) – Anna Leigh Waters’ swagger at (13)
(47:04) – The Marty Fish showdown
(49:03) – Doug’s take on Robbie Bellamy’s game
(50:57) – Can power beat pickleball IQ?
(52:15) – Doug’s dream pickleball games
(53:36) – Doug needs a new hip… then watch out
(54:22) – What Doug loves about today’s game
(56:06) – Should smack talk be legal?
(58:01) – The great bagel argument game
(1:01:01) – Pickleball as a multigenerational bond
(1:02:38) – From Drew Brees to backyard games
(1:03:32) – Could Doug win a PPA match with Ben Johns?
(1:04:22) – Doug’s favorite pros to watch
(1:06:05) – What makes pickleball special
(1:06:44) – If Doug made a pickleball movie…
(1:08:16) – Final words from The Godfather of Pickleball
Tennis legend Sam Querrey joins Pickleballers for one of our favorite episodes yet. We cover everything from him beating Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon to becoming the #1 draft pick in Major League Pickleball. Sam opens up about his journey from tennis stardom to pickleball underdog. We dive into his wildest tour stories, what it’s really like facing Djokovic and Nadal, and why he once promised he’d be top 10 in pickleball within 6 months.
(00:00) Sam Querrey joins the pod
(00:42) Beating Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon
(02:11) The dinner that sparked this podcast
(02:35) Sam’s journey from tennis to pickleball
(04:52) Pickleball’s early days in LA
(05:58) “Every pickleball player is a failed tennis player”
(06:40) Sam’s rise as a junior tennis star
(10:38) When Sam became a tennis star
(12:21) Practicing with Andy Roddick
(13:04) Nothing Major Podcast
(14:01) Sam's podcast with The Kitchen
(15:11) Sam's “top 10 in 6 months” claim
(16:04) Sam’s first PPA match nerves
(18:01) When Roscoe made Sam break a racket
(20:43) Full story behind beating Novak
(25:33) Could Sam have achieved more?
(27:00) Talent vs work ethic at the top
(27:44) The Samurai fan club
(31:33) Reuniting the Samurai for pickleball
(32:46) Turning pro in pickleball
(36:22) The fake MLP MVP banner prank
(38:24) Tennis vs pickleball
(40:56) Least favorite and most likable players
(46:39) Roscoe’s elite partner matchmaking
(47:53) Which PPA player would Sam take to Vegas
(49:23) Million dollar match vs top (10) player
(49:57) Who would Wes take to Vegas
(50:47) Sam on Millionaire Matchmaker
(52:10) Could Alcaraz crack the top (5)?
(52:54) Could Ben Johns have made it in tennis?
#pickleball #thekitchenpickleball #pickleballers #podcast #samquerrey #tennis #wimbledon #djokovic #mlp #ppa #majorleaguepickleball #thekitchen #nothingmajor #benjohns #annaleighwaters #pickleballpro #sportsstories #tennistalk #roscoebellamy #nadal
Parris Todd joins us for one of our most raw, real conversations yet. She opens up about her early days as a tennis prodigy, turning pro at 14, and traveling the world alone as a teenager chasing a dream. We talk about the pressure, the sacrifices, and what eventually led her to walk away from the sport. Parris shares how she built a fashion brand from scratch, the mindset shift that brought her to pickleball, and how she’s now redefining what it means to be a professional athlete in this sport.
(0:00) Intro
(0:44) Parris' Origin Story
(2:09) Parris' tennis journey begins
(3:38) Turning pro at (14)
(5:11) The harsh reality of pro tennis
(7:26) Handling pressure and loss at a young age
(9:28) Cultural shock on the pro tour
(10:59) Finding identity beyond tennis
(12:44) Starting a fashion brand at (18)
(14:02) Life lessons from traveling alone
(16:10) Playing through bombs in Egypt
(17:37) Parris' family & upbringing
(19:01) Learning balance: discipline vs childhood
(20:21) What it’s like being an only child
(21:06) Siblings, friendship & emotions
(22:47) Parris' great trait
(25:16) Lea respecting Parris
(28:09) How Parris stays composed on court
(30:13) How she trains and releases rage
(31:22) How Parris discovered pickleball
(35:02) Early sponsorship & the Kitchen visor story
(36:02) Roscoe's funny story about Parris
(39:26) How Ryan Sherry helped her career
(43:04) Franklin C(45)
(43:24) Goals for Parris
(45:47) Designing her Franklin paddle line
(48:14) Pioneering fashion in pickleball + Alo deal
(51:14) PPA vs APP
(53:49) Learning from Simone Jardim
(54:19) Being in a relationship on tour
(56:11) Relationship with Hunter
(1:01:32) The pickleball hot list
(1:03:53) Million dollar mixed doubles partner?
(1:04:47) The worst injury of her career
(1:05:49) Which male pro would fix a flat tire?
(1:07:20) Million dollar singles match: who she’d pick
(1:09:48) Final thoughts
Whole Foods founder John Mackey joins Pickleballers hosts Jared Paul and Roscoe Bellamy to talk about building a billion-dollar brand, pioneering conscious capitalism, redefining love and life in his next chapter—and why he’s all-in on pickleball.
(00:00) - Intro
(01:11) - John's entry into natural and organic foods
(02:29) - Opening his first natural food store, Safer Way
(03:32) - Relocating to a bigger location and rebranding to Whole Foods Market
(04:43) - Understanding the importance of meeting the market
(05:56) - Whole Foods initial goals
(07:05) - Why Whole Foods was successful so quickly
(08:32) - Catching the wave and riding the trend
(09:24) - Venture capitalists turning down Whole Foods
(10:24) - John's advice to young people...follow your passion and heart
(10:45) - Reign Storm clean energy
(11:04) - What did Whole Foods teach John about legacy and impact
(11:50) - The importance of a great team
(12:31) - Love and purpose being important business factors
(13:02) - When John realized that Whole Foods would be a national company
(13:36) - Expanding to the Bay Area
(16:00) - Going public in (1992)
(16:31) - Whole Foods' biggest competitor and capitalism
(18:08) - How to keep purpose and love at the forefront while scaling the company
(19:49) - What John did after Whole Foods
(21:07) - John's next chapter, Love.Life
(23:06) - Psychedelic and MDMA therapy
(24:10) - How to live with less regrets
(25:06) - The profound impact of psychedelics on business, ego, and lives
(26:42) - Fish Fischer's introduction and his life of service
(28:05) - Fish's introduction to golf and eventually caddying for Bubba Watson
(30:00) - The community of pickleball and its ability to change lives
(32:02) - Pickleball's influence on Love.Life
(32:47) - How John got into pickleball
(34:03) - The beauty and magic of pickleball
(35:23) - Is pickleball becoming the new golf?
(36:30) - Learning about people as you play pickleball with them
(37:37) - What pickleball teaches people about business strategy and psychology
(38:43) - Moving fast and iterating in business...and pickleball
(39:59) - What John has learned about Fish from playing pickleball with him
(42:09) - What John would change about pickleball
(44:49) - John's favorite pro and learning from watching other players
(47:13) - What John thinks people should eat before and after they play
(49:49) - One message the pickleball world needs to hear from John
(51:51) - Learning more about Love.Life and final thoughts
Jared Paul and Roscoe Bellamy from Pickleballers are trying something new...their first ever tournament recap and MLP preview. This one cover all of the drama and top stories from PPA San Clemente and what we all have to look forward to at MLP San Clemente.
(00:00) - Intro
(00:40) - Roscoe's nagging injury and performance at PPA San Clemente
(02:08) - Top storylines from PPA San Clemente
(02:54) - Rafa Lenhard's crazy singles run
(04:55) - Tennis players having an advantage in singles pickleball
(05:41) - Rallying after losing a close first game
(07:04) - Hunter Johnson being the number (1) men's singles pickleball player in the world
(09:08) - The Asia Trailblazer women's doubles team run
(10:37) - Zane Ford's wild crash out
(11:49) - James Ignatowich's singles resurgence
(12:19) - Roscoe getting traded to Carolina
(14:47) - Playing with Ben Johns
(17:05) - The LA Mad Drops MLP run and can they keep it up?
(18:06) - Utah Black Diamonds breakdown
(19:28) - Will Riley Newman and Dekel Bar play together for Brooklyn?
(19:42) - Is Riley Newman still into pickleball?
(21:13) - Closing thoughts