Pickle Me This — Sharing the fun, friends & stories of rec pickleball play

S2 Ep. 15 — He almost quit PT but then pickleball changed everything (Reece)

Reece didn't plan on pickleball changing his life — but then again, nobody does. What started as a reluctant 7am Sunday invitation turned into both a passion and a career pivot, as this physical therapist found a whole new purpose helping pickleball players stay healthy and on the court. In this episode, Reece gets honest about the moment he almost walked away from PT altogether, how pickleball gave his work new meaning, and what it's like to find your people on the court — including the pranks, the laughs, and the guys who just get it. Plus, he shares the warm-up and injury prevention advice that every recreational player needs to hear. Highlights * The Sunday morning invitation that started it all — and why he almost said no * How pickleball reignited his passion for physical therapy when he was ready to quit * Why drilling matters more than most recreational players think * The truth about playing through pain — and what to do instead * His first pickleball patient, Candy, and how getting her back on the court made her feel like a kid again * Why warming up properly before you play is non-negotiable (and how to actually do it) * How pickleball has made him a better clinician and a better player * @reecethepickleballpt is where you can find him on social media Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Pickleball and Personal Journey 02:19 Living life fully and filling his cup 03:53 When Rick asked him to try pickleball at 7 am on a Sunday 06:26 Running his tail off around the courts when he started 09:08 The Importance of Drilling and Skill Development 10:28 How motor memory factors in to getting better 12:10 When he almost left physical therapy altogether 15:07 How pickleball changed his outlook on physical therapy as a job 18:31 His advice to the players wearing a brace or having pain 20:11 Helping his first fellow pickleball player Candy - and how she felt like a kid again 24:02 The challenges of health care not covering PT 26:13 Giving PT advice for pickleball on social media 28:20 Finding his group of guys - ones that are in the same stage of life 30:53 Getting body bagged and pranking them 32:50 The importance of preparing your body before playing - and how to warmup 39:07 How pickleball has deepened his skills as a player and clinician 41:27 The meaning of pickleball - opportunity for him to help others

S2 Ep. 14 — Flashlights, crushes, and finding her people on the pickleball court

Shireen was just looking for a tennis court when pickleball found her — and nothing has been the same since. In this episode, she shares how the sport reignited a childlike joy she didn't know she was missing, and how showing up to open play led to friendships that now extend far beyond the courts. As a dentist, Shireen brings a fascinating lens to the game, drawing unexpected parallels between the focus required in her work and the mental presence pickleball demands. Highlights * How stumbling onto a pickleball court while searching for tennis completely redirected her relationship with sport and play * The vulnerability of showing up to open play as a total beginner — and why it was worth it * The unexpected joy of playing outside again like a kid, and why that feeling matters * What dentistry taught her about focus — and how it shows up in her pickleball game * Using her phone flashlight to light up the courts for early morning sessions * How being an outdoorsy person from New Mexico has influenced her love for the game Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:40 Stumbling upon pickleball when looking for tennis courts 05:04 Th first time at open play and not being able to play 09:07 Rediscovering the joy of playing outside again like a kid 12:21 Sizing people up to play 17:47 Finding community and connection during life ups and downs 20:27 Friendships that have moved beyond the courts 22:14 The thrill of a pickleball crush 23:45 Using her phone flashlight to light up the courts for early morning play 25:14 Blasting Sarah Landry on the courts 27:41 Pet Peeves in Pickleball 30:52 The Dentist on the Court 35:36 Lessons on focus from dentistry on the courts 36:58 How pickleball makes her feel so different than tennis

S2 Ep. 13 — Building a dating app because pickleball kept bringing people together (Anneliese)

Anneliese, CEO and co-founder of PickleMatch, didn't set out to build a dating app — she just needed a way to meet people after a big move and a breakup. Pickleball became her safe place, her social lifeline, and eventually the spark behind an idea that turned into a full-blown business. In this episode, she shares how the courts became her community and how that community became the foundation for PickleMatch, an app designed to help pickleballers find love, friendship, and connection. If you've ever felt like pickleball is more than just a sport, this episode will hit different. Highlights * How pickleball helped Anneliese rebuild her social life after a move and a breakup * The birthday party moment that made her realize something bigger was happening * How PickleMatch started as a joke and grew into a real platform for connection * Real dating success stories straight from PickleMatc * How proximity is the secret ingredient to making new friends as an adult * The court pet peeves we all secretly relate to (bad line calls, anyone?) * How pickleball taught her that it's never too late to learn something new Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:44 After her move, pickleball was a way to meet new people 08:47 How pickleball became her safe place after the breakup 14:37 The realization at her last birthday party 18:51 A dating app for pickleballers - yes please. Meet Pickle Match 21:53 How PickleMatch started as a joke 23:12 Launching the app by hosting events & limiting geography 25:13 Dating success stories from the app 27:55 Playing pickleball obsessively every day 30:36 Being overly competitive and bad line calls - big pet peeves 34:39 When a bunch of Scorpios played together on the courts 35:26 Pickleball has made her realize she can always learn new things 37:05 Navigating dating and pickleball on the courts 38:28 How to meet new people is all about proximity Resources PickleMatch Website - https://picklematch.co PickleMatch Instagram - https://instagram.com/picklematchapp PickleMatch TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@picklematchapp

S2 Ep. 12 — From rock bottom to the pickleball court - he found healing and hope (Thomas)

Thomas' journey from the foster care system to becoming a pickleball coach is a story of survival, healing, and purpose. After sports saved his life as a young person, he found himself at rock bottom before discovering pickleball—a game that gave him peace, community, and a new calling. Now as a coach and on social media as Night Train Pickleball, he's dedicated to empowering others and building confidence, one player at a time. His story proves that our darkest moments can lead us to our greatest purpose. Highlights * How growing up in foster care shaped Thomas's reliance on sports as a lifeline * The moment he walked past older women playing pickleball and felt drawn to try it * Losing everything and finding healing on the pickleball court * His favorite coaching moment: giving a retiree the confidence to believe in themselves * The voice from his childhood that still motivates him today * Why being told "no" continues to fuel his drive to make an impact Chapters 00:00 From Foster Care to Pickleball: A Journey of Resilience 05:16 Walking past a court of older women playing pickleball 08:07 How sports saved his life after growing up in the foster system 13:24 The voice he heard when he was younger, that provided motiviation 15:03 How he got started in the fitness industry 22:05 Losing it all and finding peace and healing in pickleball 27:16 How coaching pickleball was serendipitous 29:50 How he came up with the name - Night Train Pickleball 31:23 His favorite coaching story - giving a retiree confidence 35:24 Pet peeves - out balls and foot faults 41:14 The Ripple Effect: Impacting Lives Through Pickleball 43:35 Motivation comes from being told no

S2 Ep. 11 — Building a pickleball community where everyone belongs (Daniel)

Daniel left a corporate IT career behind to do something that truly matters — building a space where everyone belongs. Known as @chaoticdad on social media, Daniel is also the owner of Dill Dinkers in Atlanta — and he's turned pickleball into more than just a sport. It's become a safe haven where people of all walks of life can connect, belong, and truly feel at home. His journey from disaster recovery volunteering and a corporate career to the court is a beautiful reminder that the most meaningful work we do often starts with simply opening a door for someone else. This is a conversation that will leave you thinking long after you press pause. Highlights * How Daniel walked away from corporate IT to pursue something deeper — and why he's never looked back * The way Dill Dinkers has become a hub for some of Atlanta's most diverse and intentional pickleball communities * The way Daniel welcomes special needs schools, Pickle Latinos, Pickleball Queens, LGBTQ+ groups, and more — and why making everyone feel at home comes first * The heartwarming moment a beginner class erupted in cheers — and what it meant to everyone in the room * How pickleball helped Daniel personally rebuild his life after divorce * Daniel's take on empathy, legacy, and what it means to leave the world a little better than you found it Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:36 Building a community through pickleball 08:19 Intentionally building one of the most diverse pickleball communities 14:19 Welcoming groups like special needs schools, Pickle Latinos, Pickleball Queens, LGBTQ, and more 17:10 The Meaning of Legacy and Community 21:22 How working in disaster recovery shaped who he is today 28:52 Building a community and legacy that he can be proud of - leaving the world in a better place 30:18 How the pickleball community helped rebuild his life after divorce 34:53 How mens' games are very different than womens' games 37:52 Pet peeves on the court - targeting, blatant bad calls and playing in your skill level 40:40 Embarassing moment on the court - happened while he was live 42:20 Stumbling upon random pickleball courts in other countries 43:57 The beginner class where the court errupted in cheer 46:54 Personal growth through pickleball and doing what he is meant to do 49:44 The power of emapthy and making everyone feel welcomed and included