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

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/]

DUPR Ratings, Coach Ratings & Pickleball’s Biggest Problem: Accuracy

DUPR ratings are one of the hottest topics in pickleball, and this Smashing Plastic episode goes straight at the big question: how accurate is your DUPR rating, really? Tommy Welch sits down with Katie Nimitz of My Journey Pickleball and DUPR Coach to break down coach-assigned ratings, player development, DUPR reliability, club programming, and why your pickleball identity should never be wrapped up in a decimal point. Katie explains how DUPR Coach helps unrated pickleball players get into the rating system through educated, certified coaches while giving players a clearer path toward better games, better competition, and better long-term growth. Tommy and Katie also dig into the challenges clubs face with DUPR-locked events, ladder leagues, inaccurate ratings, and the tension between data, AI, coach judgment, and real-world pickleball variables. If you are a pickleball player frustrated by your rating, a coach trying to evaluate players accurately, or a club operator trying to build fair programming, this conversation is packed with perspective. The future of pickleball ratings is moving fast, and DUPR Coach is right in the middle of it.     Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:58 What Is DUPR Coach? 02:48 Why Pickleball Ratings Matter 04:42 The DUPR Accuracy Debate 06:11 Why Logging Matches Matters 08:57 Pickleball’s Rapid Growth 09:49 AI, Data & the Future of DUPR 14:14 Golf Handicap vs. Pickleball Ratings 15:56 Analytics and Coach-Assisted Ratings 16:20 Coach’s Tip: Nothing Replaces Data 18:42 Court Building & Resurfacing 20:01 DUPR-Gated Clubs and Ladder Leagues 22:56 Why Pickleball Clubs Need Better Programming 25:26 How Coaches Help Player Retention 26:09 You Can’t Make Every Player Happy 26:58 People First, Winning Matters 29:47 Who Should Become a DUPR Coach? 30:56 DUPR Coach Growth and Contact Info   Follow DUPR COACH: Website: https://www.myjourneypickleball.com/   Follow Smashing Plastic: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/