The Real Housewives of Pickleball

From Tennis Pro to Pickleball Pro: Lina Padegimaite's Latest Chapter with PPA & Motherhood

Former college tennis player Lina shares her journey from Lithuania and UT Austin to earning a doctorate in physical therapy and finding a second athletic life in pickleball. She discusses becoming a pro, joining Major League Pickleball’s Fives, and navigating contracts, travel, and team partnerships while raising a young son.
Episode highlights include practical training advice (core, single-leg stability, shoulder and hip mobility, Pilates), mental-game strategies (footwork, routines, problem-solving), the importance of community, and reflections on balancing motherhood, career choices, and long-term goals in the evolving pro pickleball world.

Meet the G.O.A.T.: Ryan Reader’s Road to 4.0+ and the Pickle Arena App S2/E8

Founder Ryan Reeder joins The Real Housewives of Pickleball to share the story behind Goat Paddle — from coaching and facility ownership to launching a player-focused paddle line and the new Pickle Arena app (the Instagram of Pickleball?!). He explains the brand’s “Road to 4.0+” approach, manufacturing and finishing process, and the community-first strategy that guides product design.
Ryan also breaks down practical tips on paddle weighting and tape, paddle customization, sponsorship realities, and the creative side of the business (character-driven paddles, comics, and future prototypes). He closes with advice for anyone starting something new: follow your passion, be consistent, and learn to sell.

How World No. 2 Anna Bright Trains, Thinks & Teaches (Inside Her Academy) S2/E7

Hosts Natasha and Neely chat pickleball news, upcoming tournaments, and the sport’s addition to the 2028 Olympics (Correction: A source referenced in this episode regarding pickleball being added to the LA 2028 Olympics was an April Fools article.  Pickleball is not currently an official Olympic sport for LA 2028), then interview world No. 2 Anna Bright about her online pickleball Academy and breaking through in a male-dominated industry.
Anna shares training fundamentals, mindset tips for breaking plateaus, the Academy structure and community benefits, plus how players can sign up and improve their game with focused, intentional practice.

Pickleball Nikki: How One Game Changed Her Life and Sparked a Movement of Joy & Community S2/E6

On this episode of Real Housewives of Pickleball, hosts Neely Sullivan and Natasha Linton sit down with Nikki Maldonado (Pickleball Nikki) to hear how she found pickleball, transformed from a workaholic into a vibrant creator, and built a supportive online community.
They discuss the Pickleball Joy Pledge, combating toxicity in the sport and the ‘‘honeymoon phase,’’ tournament experiences and partner dynamics, and the need for more women’s voices in the sport and content creation — all wrapped in authentic, uplifting advice for players at any level.

The Power of Simplicity in Pickleball: Tony Roig on The Real Reason You Aren't Winning (And How To Fix It) S2/E5

Tony Roig, founder of Better Pickleball and host of the Pickleball Therapy Podcast, joins the episode to share his journey from tennis to pickleball and the principles behind the Pickleball System.He focuses on fundamentals—especially the return of serve and third-shot strategy—plus tournament prep, partner communication, timeouts, and practicing with purpose.Listeners will get practical coaching tips for rec players and competitors to improve consistency, mindset, and on-court decision making.

DUPR Under the Microscope: Tito Machado Breaks Down the Ratings S2 E4

Natasha and Neely sit down with Tito Machado, CEO of Duper, to dig into the pickleball rating system, its controversial algorithm change, and the new reset feature.They discuss how Duper measures skill, reliability scores, age and gender ratings coming soon, and tips for players who feel stuck.The episode blends technical explanation with candid moments about competition, community reactions, and practical advice for improving both play and ratings.

Part 2 of 2 Wally Green: From Pro Ping-Pong Star to Pickleball Maverick S2/E3

In this episode Wally Green recounts his rise from nervous pro table-tennis newcomer to international star, sharing vivid stories from the pro tour, a breakthrough match in Rotterdam, and his surprising trip to North Korea where a single hug became a moment of connection.Wally explains the mental shift that saved his career—setting small, achievable goals—and how those lessons apply to pickleball and sports in general. He also talks about his transition into pickleball, his coaching philosophy, and the creation of his Savage Pickleball approach.The episode mixes high-energy anecdotes, practical advice for competing under pressure, and Wally’s reflections on culture, identity, and using sport to plant seeds of change.

Part 1 of 2. Saved by Ping-Pong: Wally Green's Journey from Gangs to Pickleball and the Big Screen S2/E2

 
 
CONTENT WARNING:  This episode touches on real-life experiences, violence, and mental and physical abuse.  These topics might be triggering for some listeners.  Listener discretion is strongly advised.
Hosts Neely Sullivan and Natasha Linton welcome Wally Green to The Real Housewives of Pickleball for a raw, inspiring conversation about his life and career.
Wally recounts growing up in Brooklyn projects, surviving domestic abuse and gangs, discovering ping-pong as a lifeline, training in Germany, turning pro, and playing internationally — including a trip to North Korea. He also discusses co-founding Spin with Susan Sarandon, transitioning into pickleball, and a small role in the film Marty Supreme.
This episode dives into trauma, resilience, unexpected opportunities, and how sport reshaped Wally’s path.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or needs someone to talk to, help is available.  In the U.S., you can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.  If you ar ein immediate danger, please call 911.

Is Pickleball a Cult?: Traveling the World and "Coopetition" with Max "Purple Jesus" Manthou |S2 E1

Neely and Natasha open Season 2 with APP pro Max Manthou (aka “Purple Jesus”), author of A Pickleball Gospel. In this episode they cover Max’s Peace Corps past, life traveling the pro tour, his book’s concept of “coopetition,” and the growing pickleball scene — including NPL indoor tournaments and Anna Leigh’s Nike deal.
The episode also touches on community stories (including a life-saving kidney donation), mental-game tips, and a rapid-fire segment, blending personal memoir, pro insight, and pickleball culture.

Inside COURTED Ai: Christina Chin's Vision for Smarter Pickleball |S1 E16

Hosts Natasha Linton and Neely Sullivan close out the season with a lively recap of top guests and moments, a viral pickleball trash‑talk segment, and a spotlight on Neely’s new Mission Sticks performance stickers.
 
Top Canadian Pro Christina Chin joins the show to share her journey from hockey to pickleball, her transition into playing pickleball full-time, and her best practices for building a standout personal brand among other wise words Christina shares. Christina also introduces COURTED Ai, the partner matching platform aiming to reinvent how players find the right partner fit.
 
Christina opens up about the reinvention behind her leap from player to tech co-founder, the friendship tat sparked her next chapter, and what it really takes to follow the pull toward something bigger. It's an inspiring conversation about courage, curiosity, and building what you wish existed.