Behind the Paddle

Behind the Paddle #15 - How Pickleball England Grew a Global Movement (and Why the Olympics Are Next)

In this powerful episode of Behind the Paddle, Rob Nunnery sits down with Karen Mitchell, co-founder and chair of Pickleball England, to explore how a local village game turned into a nationwide movement—and what’s next on the global stage. They cover: * Karen’s unexpected journey into pickleball (tea, cake & a paddle!) * The grassroots origins of Pickleball England * How England is setting the tone for international growth * Behind-the-scenes politics of international pickleball governance * The unification efforts to get pickleball into the Olympics * Why sovereignty matters for the sport’s future If you care about the future of pickleball, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Behind the Paddle #14 - Pickleball in Dubai Is About to Explode

Pickleball is catching fire in the Middle East—and Andreas and Thomas Neuert are at the center of it. In this episode, Rob Nunnery sits down with brothers Andreas and Thomas to talk about how they brought pickleball to Dubai, how they're building community, and why the sport is positioned to skyrocket across the GCC. From four courts to hundreds of players in months, Pickle Turf is just the beginning. 🔥 How the Dubai pickleball scene started 🏟️ Building premier indoor facilities 🌍 Why the GCC and India are keys to international growth 👶 The importance of junior programs and university adoption 🎯 The vision for floating courts and stadium experiences 🌐 Collaborations with Global Sports and Sania Mirza

Behind the Paddle #13 - Navigating Life (and Pickleball) with Chronic Illness

Welcome to Episode 13 of the Behind the Paddle pickleball podcast! In this episode, Rob Nunnery welcomes Jordan Wick and Michele Spahr, hosts of the "Mom, You're Embarrassing Me" podcast. Rob shares his experiences of being a pro pickleball player after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease and Michele shares her experiences after an MS diagnosis. They both share how important community support is to maintaining your mental health during a difficult situation. Rob also shares the challenges of competing at a high level while managing health issues — and the significance of advocacy for those facing similar struggles. He is looking to the future and is excited about upcoming partnerships and tournaments in the APP tour. Rob, Jordan, and Michele discuss the challenges of handling criticism when you are playing at a high level, the transition from tennis to pickleball, and the strategic shifts in gameplay, particularly the trend of players stepping back from the kitchen line.

Behind the Paddle #12 - From Engineer to Pro Pickleball Player: USA Pickleball's Carl Schmits

Welcome to Episode 12 of the Behind the Paddle pickleball podcast. In this episode, Rob Nunnery welcomes Carl Schmits, chief technology officer at USA Pickleball. Carl shares his journey from a systems engineer to a pro pickleball player. He discusses his involvement in the development of pickleball equipment standards, the challenges faced in the pro pickleball scene, and the importance of viewer engagement through broadcasting. Carl and Rob also discuss the evolving landscape of pickleball, the impact of these changes on amateur players, and the importance of maintaining the sport's integrity, especially with so many organizations running the game. Schmits emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach to ensure the pickleball's sustainability.

Behind the Paddle #10 - From Pro Pickleball PHENOM to Business Owner of The Picklr

Welcome to Episode 10 of the Behind the Paddle pickleball podcast! In this episode, Rob Nunnery welcomes Kyle Yates, owner of The Picklr. Kyle shares his journey from professional pickleball player to business owner, with the goal of building indoor pickleball facilities in Colorado. He shares his experiences, challenges, and surprises of running a pickleball business and the importance of community engagement through membership models. He also discusses the evolving landscape of pro pickleball, both in the U.S. and internationally, the potential for growth in amateur pickleball, the importance of structured training for young players, and the growing opportunities in pickleball around the world, especially in Asia.