Pickleball Mindset: Gratitude, Growth & Leadership with Jeff Joiner

Pickleball Mindset: Gratitude, Growth & Leadership with Jeff Joiner

Discover how pickleball can build a stronger mindset, better leadership skills, and a more grateful life. Coach Tommy sits down with keynote speaker, business owner, author, and 4.0 pickleball player Jeff Joiner to explore why pickleball is uniquely fun, social, competitive, and powerful for personal growth. Jeff shares lessons from playing pickleball across the country, including the sport’s welcoming culture, the rapid improvement beginners experience, and the mental challenges that surface during competition. He also explains how coaching and mentorship reveal blind spots, why gripping the paddle too tightly can stall your dink game, and how players can learn from both wins and losses. The conversation goes beyond technique to examine pickleball leadership, teamwork, integrity, emotional control, and character. Jeff also reveals the quality he believes separates happy people from unhappy people. Whether you are a recreational player, tournament competitor, coach, business leader, or beginner learning the game, this episode offers practical perspective on becoming a better pickleball player—and a better person.   Follow Jeff: Website - www.jeffjoiner.com [http://www.jeffjoiner.com]  Insta - https://www.instagram.com/jeffreyjoiner [https://www.instagram.com/jeffreyjoiner]  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JeffJoinerTraining/ [https://www.facebook.com/JeffJoinerTraining/]    Book - “Say It Like It Matters When It Matters: Communicating with Power, Effectiveness, and Authenticity.”   Available at online booksellers worldwide. Ebook on Kindle, Nook, or Apple Books. Audiobook at Audible and Apple Books     Follow Smashing Plastic: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic [https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic]  IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/ [https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/]

Building Pickleball Before It Was Cool: The Story, The Culture, and What’s Next!

Pickleball legend Lee Whitwell joins Smashing Plastic for a bold, hilarious, and brutally honest conversation about where pickleball is headed — from coaching problems and pro pickleball tension to the recreational community that keeps the sport alive. Coach Tommy and Lee dig into why process-based coaching beats results-based coaching, how players can handle pressure at 9-9, and why the future of pickleball depends on fun, development, and community. This episode covers the real heartbeat of pickleball: amateur players, club culture, mental toughness, youth development, women’s pickleball, adaptive pickleball, and the difference between building players versus just running drills. Lee also shares her perspective on APP, PPA, MLP, the changing pro scene, and why pickleball needs to protect the 99% of players who simply love getting on court. From “get the ball over one more time” to “it’s a plastic ball with 40 holes — have fun,” this is classic Smashing Plastic: loud, honest, coach-driven, and full of the kind of pickleball truth bombs every player, coach, and club owner needs to hear.   Follow Lee and Angela: IG: https://www.instagram.com/ladygibraltal [https://www.instagram.com/ladygibraltal]  IG: https://www.instagram.com/angelaj.farmer [https://www.instagram.com/angelaj.farmer]  Website:  https://Gamechangeherevents.com [https://Gamechangeherevents.com]  IG: https://www.instagram.com/gamechangeherevents [https://www.instagram.com/gamechangeherevents]      Follow Smashing Plastic: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic [https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic]  IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/ [https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/]

Pickleball Strategy, Drilling & Business Lessons with Jennings Smith

Smashing Plastic hits Episode 50 with returning guest Jennings Smith from the very first guest on the podcast, for a powerful conversation about pickleball growth, drilling, strategy, mindset, and the business lessons that show up on and off the court. Coach Tommy and Jennings break down how players move past the 3.5–4.0 level, why third shot drops and dinking matter, and how smarter decision-making can change your entire pickleball game. This episode goes beyond just swinging harder. Jennings shares how intentional drilling, skinny singles, controlled drops, better footwork, and learning when not to speed the ball up have helped him level up as a player. The guys also dig into the “cliquey” side of pickleball, playing with the right level group, and why self-awareness matters if you want to keep improving. Then the conversation shifts into business, real estate, and entrepreneurship — including how pickleball strategy mirrors commercial real estate strategy. From finding weaknesses, making adjustments, and taking calculated risks, Jennings shares lessons from multifamily investing, commercial tenants, flex warehouse development, and building momentum before everything feels perfect. Whether you’re chasing 4.0, trying to become a more complete pickleball player, or looking for motivation to take the next step in business, this episode is packed with bold, practical takeaways. Watch now, subscribe, and let’s keep smashing plastic.   Follow Jennings and Unlock Your Life: Website: https://jenningssmithjr.com [https://jenningssmithjr.com]  Pod: https://thepodcastfactory.com/jennings-smith-unlock-your-life/ [https://thepodcastfactory.com/jennings-smith-unlock-your-life/]  IG: https://www.instagram.com/jenningsfostersmithjr/ [https://www.instagram.com/jenningsfostersmithjr/]    Follow Smashing Plastic: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic [https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic]  IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/ [https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/]

Pickleball, Pageants & Pre-Game Jitters with Kenzie Welch

Kenzie Welch joins Smashing Plastic for a powerful conversation about pickleball community, pageant preparation, music, competition, and handling pressure before the big moment. Filmed at PickleRage in North Charleston, South Carolina, this episode blends pickleball culture with Kenzie’s journey as Miss Lowcountry Teen and her mission to reduce stress through music. Coach Tommy sits down with Kenzie to talk about representing the Lowcountry, preparing for Miss South Carolina Teen, using music to manage stress, and why confidence and kindness can coexist in competition. Kenzie also shares how her “Healing Chord” initiative helps children use music as an outlet during difficult times, plus how athletes can use playlists, routines, and purpose to stay grounded before tournaments, games, or performances. In the middle of the episode, Noah Winningham joins from PickleRage to talk about the new indoor pickleball facility in North Charleston, including 13 indoor courts, clinics, open play, round robins, socials, memberships, birthday parties, and opportunities for beginners through advanced players. From pickleball training and tournament nerves to pageant prep, performance mindset, and Lowcountry pride, this episode is all about community, competition, and finding your rhythm on and off the court.   Follow Kenzie: IG: https://www.instagram.com/misslowcountrysteensc/ [https://www.instagram.com/misslowcountrysteensc/]    Follow Smashing Plastic: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic [https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic]  IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/ [https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/]

16-Year-Old Pickleball Phenom Mackonner Dy on Chasing Pro Dreams

Meet Mackonner Dy, a 16-year-old junior pickleball player from Vancouver, BC, and one of Canada’s rising young talents in the sport. Already a Canadian National Champion and PPA Tour competitor, Mackonner is balancing homeschool, daily training, tournament travel, and a serious dream of going pro. In this Smashing Plastic Pickleball episode, Coach Tommy digs into Mackonner’s competitive mindset, pickleball drills, mental toughness, faith, family support, and what it really takes to level up on the court. Mackonner shares how he went from basketball and casual family pickleball to winning gold in his first tournament with his dad—and realizing pickleball could become his future. His journey has already taken him onto the professional stage, including a recent run to the Round of 16 in Men’s Pro Doubles at the PPA Texas Open with fellow Vancouver player Armaan Jiwa-Mawji, where they faced one of the top teams in the world. Known for his quick hands, creative shot-making, calm composure, and advanced court awareness, Mackonner represents the next generation of Canadian pickleball players pushing the sport forward. This episode also explores Mackonner’s development, from training through Vancouver weather to improving drops, building consistency, managing pressure at 10–7, and learning that there is no single magic shot or drill that makes a great player. He also shares the importance of family, including how pickleball began as a family activity and grew into a serious competitive pursuit. Packed with advice for junior pickleball players, competitive rec players, parents, coaches, and anyone chasing the next level, Mackonner’s story is a powerful look at discipline, hustle, faith, family support, and the future of pickleball.   Follow Mackonner: IG: https://www.instagram.com/mackonner_pb [https://www.instagram.com/mackonner_pb]  Sponsor: https://www.satoriintegrativehealth.com/pickleball-coaching.html [https://www.satoriintegrativehealth.com/pickleball-coaching.html]    Follow Smashing Plastic: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic [https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic]  IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/ [https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/]