Pickleballers
The Pickleballers Podcast, hosted by Jared Paul and Dane Iliff of The Kitchen media company alongside pro player Roscoe Bellamy, covers all things pickleball. It features breaking news, hot takes, banter, and interviews with celebrity guests and top players, offering a front-row seat to the fastest-growing sport in America.
Episodes
Federico Staksrud: The $400K Fives Trade, Reuniting With Hayden, and Chasing Ben & Gabe | S5 E2
In this episode, Federico sits down with Roscoe and Jared for a casual, wide-ranging conversation about his journey from a software company desk job to the top of the sport. They cover his blockbuster MLP trade, his reunion with Hayden Patriquin, the global growth of the game, and the mindset that keeps him reaching Sunday nearly every week.Federico breaks down the process that built him, starting
Gabe Tardio: Playing With Ben Johns, Handling Pressure, and Becoming a Star | S5 E1
Gabe Tardio is the No. 2 player in the world and half of the best men's doubles team in pickleball alongside Ben Johns. He grew up in Bolivia chasing a tennis career and went from thinking pickleball was "the dumbest game ever" to one of the most feared right-side players on the PPA Tour.In this episode, Gabe sits down with Roscoe and Jared to open the Season 5 premiere. They trace his
Jay Devilliers: Figuring Out Ben Johns, Bringing Pickle to France, and The Body Bag Debate | S4 E10
Jay Devilliers, "the Flying Frenchman," is one of pro pickleball's most accomplished veterans — a former Wichita State tennis standout who transitioned into the pro ranks in 2019 and has stayed near the top of the sport for over half a decade.In this season-closing episode, Jay sits down with Roscoe and Jared for a wide-ranging conversation tracing his path from a hyper-competitive Fre
Will Howells: Leaving the APP, Teaming Up With Anna Leigh Waters, and His Cocky Mentality | S4 E9
Will Howells is a former top-15 US junior tennis player and Notre Dame standout who switched to pickleball in 2023 and quickly climbed the ranks, now stepping onto the PPA and MLP tours as one of the newest faces on tour.In this episode, Will sits down with Roscoe and Jared to trace his path from junior tennis dreams and a Notre Dame ankle injury to grinding out results on the APP tour while still
Brooke Buckner: From Stay-at-Home Mom to #4 in the World, and How to beat Anna Leigh Waters | S4 E8
Brooke Buckner is the #4 women's singles player in the world and a former Division I tennis player at Michigan, known for some of the hardest ground strokes in the game, men or women.In this episode, Brooke sits down with Roscoe and Jared to trace her path from junior tennis and college coaching at Michigan, Yale, and UNC Charlotte to becoming a stay-at-home mom in 2020 and, almost by accident
Dave Fleming: The Voice of Pickleball on Haters, Catchphrases, and Growing the Game | S4 E7
In this episode, Dave sits down with Roscoe and Jared to trace his winding path to the pickleball mic — from calling high school sports in Memphis to ball boying and interviewing tennis legends as a teenager, and finally becoming the defining voice of the sport's biggest broadcasts.Dave breaks down his origin story in detail: growing up in a sports-obsessed family, his early TV career, and the
Hannah Blatt: Pickleball's First Influencer, Marrying Her Doubles Partner, and Going Pro | S4 E6
Hannah Blatt was one of the top squash players in the world before transitioning into professional pickleball, where she's now ranked 22nd in singles and become one of the most followed players in the sport on social media.In this episode, Hannah sits down with Roscoe and Jared to trace her path from elite junior and college squash to professional pickleball, and how she became one of the firs
Jared Paul: The Origin Story of The Kitchen and How It Became Pickleball's Biggest Community | S4 E5
Jared Paul is the co-host of Pickleballers and the founder of The Kitchen Pickleball — the largest and most engaged pickleball community and media company in the world, with over two million cumulative members, followers, and email subscribers across platforms.In this episode, Roscoe flips the script and puts Jared in the guest seat for the first time, joined by Dane Illif, Jared's longtime co
Danni-Elle Townsend: Australia's Newest Pickleball Superstar Is Coming For The Top | S4 E4
In this episode, Danni-Elle sits down with Roscoe and Jared fresh off a run to the MLP finals in Austin. She breaks down what it's like competing on American soil for the first time, why she's unapologetic about staying rooted in Australia, and why she believes the sport's next wave of talent is coming from the Asia-Pacific region.Danni-Elle opens up about her table tennis career — how
Hannah Johns: The Johns Family Origin, Growing The PPA, and Pickleball's Wildest Early Days | S4 E3
In this episode, Hannah sits down with Roscoe and Jared to pull back the curtain on the Johns family, the wild early days of the PPA, and what it really took to turn pickleball into a legitimate professional sport. It's part origin story, part behind-the-scenes tour, and entirely worth your time.Hannah opens up about growing up as one of seven homeschooled kids on 12 acres, how Ben showed frea
Grayson Goldin: The Pickleball Pro Who Survived Two Strokes at 30 and is Coming Back | S4 E2
In this episode, Grayson sits down with Roscoe and Jared to share the full story of suffering two strokes at 30 years old — how it happened, what those six days in the hospital were like, and what his road back to the court has looked like. It's one of the most raw and honest conversations the show has ever had.Grayson breaks down exactly how it unfolded: a chiropractic adjustment after a tour
JW & Jorja Johnson: MLP Drama, Signing Underwear, and Pickleball's Sibling Reign | S4 E1
JW and Jorja Johnson are the most decorated sibling team in professional pickleball, known for transforming the game with the JW Johnson flick and the Jorja Johnson fire — two of the most talked-about weapons on tour.In this episode, JW and Jorja sit down with Roscoe and Jared to trace their unlikely path from Pittsburgh, Kansas to the top of the pro game. They get into the zero-pressure upbringin
Tama Shimabukuro: Pickleball's Newest Superstar on the Atlanta Run That Changed Everything
Tama Shimabukuro is a 15-year-old professional pickleball player who became an overnight sensation after reaching the singles final at the Atlanta Slam, finishing fourth in men's doubles, and earning the full-throated backing of an entire crowd that couldn't stop chanting his name.In this episode, Tama calls in with Roscoe and Jared just days after his historic Atlanta run to break down wh
Anna Bright: Saying No to Anna Leigh, Girlies Breakup, and Pickleball's Biggest Personality | S3 E10
Anna Bright is the #2 ranked women's pickleball player in the world, an MLP champion, and one of the sport's most magnetic personalities — a Cal Berkeley graduate who went from Pacific Crest Trail solo hiker to professional athlete in under a year.In this episode, Anna sits down with Roscoe and Jared to pull back the curtain on her journey from junior tennis to the top of pickleball, the b
Roscoe Bellamy: His Dream Was Gone. His Identity Was Lost. Then Pickleball Changed Everything | S3E9
Roscoe Bellamy is the co-host of The Pickleballers and a professional pickleball singles player currently ranked #6 in the world. A product of a tennis dynasty — his father founded Tennis Channel and his mother was a pro player — Roscoe rose to become the number one nationally ranked junior in the United States before a series of devastating injuries derailed his path to the pro tour.In this episo
James Ignatowich: The PPA Termination, Building RPM from China, and the Future of Paddle Tech
James Ignatowich is a former top professional pickleball player turned paddle company founder, best known for creating RPM — one of the fastest-growing and most talked-about paddle brands in the sport.In this episode, James joins Roscoe and Jared virtually from Shenzhen, China, where he's living full-time and running RPM's operations on the ground. They get into why James has zero regrets
Alix Truong: How a Teenage Prodigy Became the #1 Vietnamese Pickleball Player | S3 E8
Alix Truong is the number one Vietnamese pickleball player in the world and currently ranked eighth on the PPA Tour. She's one of the sport's most compelling rising voices — a player who came up through every level of the game and is now helping grow pickleball across an entire continent.In this episode, Alix sits down with Roscoe and Jared to talk about her journey from a hyper-competitiv
Enhance Pickleball: Owning the Content Game, $65K Nightmare, and How They Built the Brand | S3 E7
Connor Hance and Drew Baird are the founders of Enhance Pickleball — the most-followed pickleball content creators, with more YouTube subscribers and Instagram followers than anyone else in the sport.In this episode, Connor and Drew sit down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story of how Enhance Pickleball was built — from a bootstrapped Amazon side project to a paddle and content brand that&
Vivienne David: The Real Story Behind Her Retirement | S3 E6
Vivienne David is one of the most beloved players pickleball has ever had — a true fan favorite, a bright light on tour, and a former world No. 2 in mixed doubles who just announced she’s stepping away from pro pickleball.In this episode, Vivienne sits down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the real story behind her retirement — what tour life actually feels like when you’ve been grinding for years, w
Hunter Johnson: The Truth About Being #1 in the World | S3 E5
Hunter Johnson is the world #1 singles pickleball player — the top spot in the fastest-growing sport on the planet, and a title that comes with way more pressure than people realize.In this episode, Hunter sits down with Roscoe and Jared to talk about what it actually feels like to be #1 in the world — the confidence it takes to get there, the doubts that creep in once you finally arrive, and the
Andre Agassi: How Pickleball Changed His Life | S3 E4
Andre Agassi is one of the most iconic athletes of all time — an 8-time Grand Slam champion, Olympic gold medalist, and a legend changed tennis forever.In this episode, Andre sits down with Roscoe and Jared to explain why he’s gone all-in on pickleball — not as a gimmick, not as a cameo, but because the sport genuinely hooked him. He breaks down what tennis players don’t understand yet: pickleball
Leigh Waters: What It’s Really Like Raising Pickleball’s Greatest Player
Leigh Waters is the mom and coach of Anna Leigh Waters — the most dominant pickleball player of all time — and the person who’s been in the room for every major moment that turned Anna Leigh into the face of the sport.In this episode, Leigh sits down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story behind pickleball’s biggest moves: Anna Leigh signing with Nike, switching from Paddletek to Franklin, a
Greg Dow: The Funniest Player on Tour (Unfiltered Stories, Hot Takes, and Chaos)
Greg Dow is one of the funniest guys on the entire pickleball tour — a self-proclaimed “beer pong legend,” a legit pro who’s been battling top teams for years, and one of the best commentators in pickleball because he actually understands the game *and* knows how to make it entertaining.In this episode, Greg sits down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story: growing up outside Charlotte, bein
Anna Leigh Waters: The Nike Signing, The Franklin Switch, and Pickleball’s New Era
Anna Leigh Waters is the most dominant pickleball player of all time — the sport’s biggest star, the standard everyone is chasing, and now the first-ever Nike signed pickleball athlete.In this episode, Anna Leigh sits down with Roscoe and Jared to tell the full story behind the two biggest moves in pickleball: signing with Nike, and leaving Paddletek after years to join Franklin. She breaks down w
Genie Bouchard: Wimbledon, Fame, and Becoming a Legit Pro Pickleballer | S2 E10
Genie Bouchard is one of the most recognizable athletes of her generation — a former world No. 5, Wimbledon finalist, and one of the biggest tennis stars to ever come out of Canada.From growing up in Montreal, to moving to Florida at 12 to chase tennis full time, Genie’s story is all sacrifice, pressure, and competing on the biggest stages in the world. In this episode, she sits down with Roscoe a
Terrell Owens: From NFL Hall of Famer to Chasing Pro Pickleball | S2 E9
Terrell Owens is one of the greatest wide receivers of all time — an NFL Hall of Famer and one of the most dominant competitors the game has ever seen.From growing up on welfare in rural Alabama, to walking on at Chattanooga with no expectations, to becoming a Hall of Fame NFL receiver, Terrell’s story was never about hype — it was about patience, work, and discipline. In this episode, he sits dow
Lucy Kovalova: Becoming World #1, Simone Era Dominance & The Evolution Of Women’s Pickleball | S2 E8
Lucy Kovalova is one of the OG queens of pickleball — a former world number one, multiple-time triple crown winner, and one of the most feared right-side players of all time.From a tiny village in Slovakia to Wichita State with no English, to “accidentally” becoming the best in the world, Lucy has lived every chapter of pickleball’s rise. In this episode, she sits down with Roscoe and Jared to sha
Matt Wright: Rivalries, Breakups, and the Future of Pickleball
Matt Wright is one of the most polarizing, respected, and mysterious players in pickleball — and somehow, he had never done a real pickleball podcast… until now.At 48 years old, Matt is still making PPA finals, still out-thinking kids half his age, and still one of the most entertaining players on tour. In this episode, Matt sits down with Roscoe and Jared to finally tell his full story: from obse
Christian Alshon: Faith, Family, and Professional Pickleball
Christian “Tweener King” Alshon grew up in a high-achieving Florida tennis family, went 18–0 at the University of Chicago, and won a D3 national title before realizing the finance path wasn’t for him. Then he found pickleball — and everything flipped.He built a brand off trick shots, battled through two years before winning his first singles title, and transformed into one of the most aggressive,
Hurricane Tyra Black: The Most Vulnerable Pickleball Podcast Ever
Tyra “Hurricane” Black grew up in the pressure cooker of junior tennis — sitting courtside in a stroller while her dad coached pros, traveling the world alone at 13, and being turned pro without even knowing it. The burnout, stress, and antidepressants that followed nearly pushed her out of sports for good.Then an earthquake in Turkey became her wake-up call. Tyra came home, tried pickleball, and
Inside the Mind of Andrei Daescu: Pickleball’s Fiercest Competitor | S2 E4
Andrei Daescu was born to compete. From his early days in Romania as a tennis player to his relentless rise up the pickleball ranks, the 37-year-old giant has been called "the best pickleball player not named Ben Johns".Coming fresh off a Major League Pickleball championship, Andrei joins Roscoe and Jared to discuss his MLP run, what life was like growing up in Romania, his love for inspir
Catherine Parenteau: Love, Legacy & Life at the Top of Pickleball | S2 E3
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
Eric Oncins: The Rise of Brazil’s Pickleball Superstar | S2 E2
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 fav
Ben Johns: Life As the Greatest Pickleball Player On Earth
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 bac
Connor Pardoe: The Drama of Building The Biggest Pickleball Tour In The World
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 unifyi
Dekel Bar: The Gentle Giant of Pickleball Reveals His Journey
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 t
Inside the World of Senior Pro Pickleball with Legends Beth Bellamy & Scott Moore
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
Thomas Wilson’s Fight for His Life: The Most Inspiring Story in Pickleball
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 o
Maroon 5’s James Valentine: Building the World’s Biggest Band & His Love for Pickleball
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
Hunter & Yates Johnson on Drama, Relationships, and the Road from Pro Tennis to Pickleball
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
Drew Brees & His Stories of Adversity, Mental Toughness, & Pickleball | S1 E10
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 ten
The Godfather of Pickleball, Creating Entourage, & His Obsession With The Game | S1 E9
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 Calif
Sam Querrey Beat Nadal & Djokovic, Now He’s Playing Pickleball | S1 E8
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
The Parris Todd Story: The Realest Conversation We’ve Had Yet | S1 E7
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 t
Whole Foods Founder Now Obsessed With Pickleball | S1 E6
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
SPECIAL EDITION: San Clemente Recap & MLP Preview
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) -
Lea Jansen & Jason Aspes on The Power & Politics of Pickleball | S1 E5
The Pickleballers crew is joined by Lea Jansen — one of the most intense and misunderstood players in the game — and Jason Aspes, President of the UPA and cofounder of The Kitchen. They dive into the paddle testing drama, what it's like building the rules for pro pickleball, and Lea’s raw perspective on life as a top player living with diabetes. From paddle politics to real talk about the futu
Pickleball Squid Games, Youngest 5.0 in History, & The Secret to Excellence | S1 E4
The Pickleballers crew is joined by Jack Munro, the ambidextrous pickleball pro who was the YOUNGEST 5.0 PICKLEBALL PRO IN HISTORY! They chop it up about all the latest happenings in pickleball, discuss Anna Leigh Water's Times Square billboard, dive into if ALW is the greatest athlete in the world, break down strategies to improve your game, and a whole lot more. (0:00) - Intro(1:22) - How Ja
Anna Leigh Waters & Her Unfiltered Truth About Being #1 in the World | S1 E3
Anna Leigh Waters, the most dominant pickleball player to ever live, and her mother and former top pickleball pro now top coach, Leigh Waters, sits down with Jared and Roscoe to discuss their pickleball journey, Anna Leigh's climb to #1, Anna Leigh becoming Anna Leigh Waters, the greatest pickleball player in the world, and what it takes continue being the dominant player she is. Reign Storm:
Federico & Dylan on Being #1, Fights, & Crazy Stories on Tour | S1 E2
In this unfiltered episode of Pickleballers, pro player Roscoe Bellamy and The Kitchen founder Jared Paul sit down with two of the sport’s biggest stars — Federico Staksrud (World #1 in singles) and Dylan Frazier (former World #1 in doubles) to discuss their life on tour, where they came from, and how they got here. (0:00) - Intro(1:28) - Federico’s Journey - Argentina to world number (1)(7:02) -
We Left Everything for Pickleball | S1 E1
In the premiere episode of the Pickleballers Podcast, hosts Roscoe Bellamy, Jared Paul, and Dane Iliff share how they each discovered pickleball—and what made them fall in love with the fastest-growing sport in America. Roscoe is a top-ranked pro, while Jared and Dane are the minds behind The Kitchen, the largest media company in pickleball.This episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, sh
