Smashing Plastic Podcast

What happens when a leadership expert with a brand-new book steps onto the pickleball court for the first time? Ben-Jamin Toy, co-author of Becoming a Cohesive Leader, joins us to talk about mindset, growth, and the power of sucking at something new.

We unpack his POWER acronym and apply it to everything from career success to resetting your pickleball game plan. This one’s packed with practical takeaways, hilarious early-picklebal...

In this episode, Coach Tommy goes virtual with none other than the legendary Scott Golden—a.k.a. The Golden Boy. From his roots in sports to becoming a true pickleball OG, Scott shares how pickleball changed his life after a tough season, launching him into a world of pro play, big sponsorships (hello, Golden Axe paddle), PPA commentary, and now full-time coaching with LevelUp Pickleball Camps.

They cover:

🔥 Scott’s 9-year pickl...

🎙️ Smashing Plastic Podcast: Junior Pickleball Phenom Halina (Age 9!) Talks Medals, Cruises & Dreams of Going Pro

In this fun and heartwarming summer episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy is joined by a very special guest—9-year-old Halina, a rising star in junior pickleball who’s already competing in tournaments, winning medals, and putting in serious work on and off the court.

We talk all things pickleball and...

In this episode of Smashing Plastic, Kip and Chrissy share their inspiring journey from tennis to pickleball, and how the sport transformed their lives. Chrissy opens up about her personal struggles and how pickleball became a way to rediscover her fitness after undergoing gastric bypass surgery. Kip and Chrissy dive into the challenges and rewards of playing pickleball as a couple, offering insights into the balance of competition...

Coach Tommy is back at the beautiful Pickleball Kingdom in Mount Pleasant, SC, to break down everything you need to know about DUPR — the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating system.

In this episode:

What is DUPR, and why does it matter?

How your rating is calculated

How to get an official rating without entering a tournament

The role of a Certified DUPR Coach (like Coach Tommy!)

Tips on how to improve your rating the right way

Why ...

In this episode, we visit the brand-new Pickleball Kingdom in Charleston, SC with GM Dan Watters and local player Judd Perry. From 24,000 sq ft of court space to simulators, replay tech, and DUPR-integrated scoring, this isn’t your average pickleball club—it’s the future of the sport.

We dive into:

- What makes Pickleball Kingdom different

- How tech is changing how we play, train, and teach

- The biggest beginner pain points (li...

What do you get when you mix a tennis background, a spontaneous trip to Naples, and ten years of grind? You get Joey Farias. On this episode, Coach Tommy sits down with Joey to talk pro pickleball beginnings, the youth scene (or lack thereof), and the challenges and opportunities ahead for growing the sport from the ground up.

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📍 Want to t...

In this lively spring episode of the Smashing Plastic Podcast, Coach Tommy welcomes his longtime playing partner and friend, Eric Gonzalez—a retired Coast Guard veteran turned pickleball enthusiast. Eric shares how his wife “invited” him to cardio tennis, which led to discovering some local pickleball courts... and the rest is history.

The two dive into Charleston’s evolving pickleball scene, their recent trip to a Couple's Pickleb...

Live from Funville Farm, home of Smashing Plastic Pickleball, we’re joined by Noah Winningham, one of Charleston’s top up-and-coming pickleball players! Noah shares his journey from a baseball background to being one of the top 5 players in Charleston, how he trains daily, and his ultimate goal of becoming a top 5 pro player.

We talk about:

- How two old ladies humbled him on the court

- The drills that transformed his game

- Why...

Smashing Plastic Podcast - Featuring Leonard Fox

Welcome back to the Smashing Plastic Podcast! This episode, we sit down with our good friend Leonard Fox, who started his pickleball journey way back in 2017—before the sport exploded! Leonard shares how he stumbled into the game at a local rec center, got schooled by some older players, and became obsessed with getting better. He talks about his dedication to training, the evoluti...

Welcome to the Smashing Plastic Podcast! In this episode, Coach Tommy sits down with the incredible Katie Mell, one of the top names in Charleston pickleball! Katie is the powerhouse behind KM Pickleball Solutions, a tournament directing company that runs high-level pickleball events with precision, professionalism, and passion.

Katie shares her journey from competitive play to event organization, her approach to running seamless...

In this episode, we welcome a special guest, William Wert (USRSA, MRT, CS, PRA), an experienced pickleball coach and director of racket sports at multiple clubs in Charleston, SC. William takes us through his inspiring journey from tennis to discovering a love for pickleball. We talk about coaching philosophy, the importance of positive energy, and how the right coach can be a game-changer for players at any level.

Key Topics Cover...

In this episode of the Smashing Pickleball Podcast, Coach Tommy goes live at the Pickle Bar with special guest Alessandro, a 40-year-old active-duty Coast Guard member and passionate pickleball player.

What’s Inside This Episode:

Alessandro's journey: From tennis courts to pickleball kitchens

Transitioning from competitive tennis to becoming a 4.3-rated pickleball player in just over a year

Insights into the APP and PPA tournamen...

Welcome to the Smashing Plastic Podcast! In this episode, Coach Tommy sits down with Jeff Conradi, a passionate pickleball ambassador and regional rep for Head. They explore his inspiring journey from hockey coaching to becoming a driving force in the pickleball community. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, this episode is packed with insights and advice to help you smash your pickleball journey. Don’t forget to like, ...

Join us for this exciting episode as Coach Tommy sits down with Emily Taylor, co-owner of Litchfield Pickleball and Inlet Pickleball, based in the picturesque Pawleys Island and Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina. Emily shares her inspiring journey from tennis player to pickleball entrepreneur, creating top-tier, community-focused facilities that prioritize the love of the game.

📍 Visit Emily's Facilities:

Litchfield Pickleball: ht...

Welcome to an exciting episode of the pod where we sit down with Jake Kusmider, head pro at The Pickle Bar, former professional pickleball player, and lifelong athlete. Jake shares his incredible journey from competitive tennis to the rapidly growing world of professional pickleball.

Whether you're a pickleball newbie or a seasoned player, Jake’s insights and passion will inspire you to level up your game.

➡️ Tune in for expert adv...

In this episode of The Smashing Plastic Podcast, we dive into the evolving game of pickleball with insights from Coach Tommy and performance coach Connor Derrickson. From building athleticism and longevity on the court to creating sustainable fitness habits, we explore how players at any level can improve. Plus, we discuss the exciting future of juniors in pickleball and the potential for youth programs inspired by Ma...

Welcome to the Smashing Plastic Podcast, where we’re bringing the pickleball community together! In this episode, Coach Tommy is joined by Alisa Tolliver, the visionary owner of The Pickle Bar, an exciting pickleball and dining destination located in the bustling Nexton development of Summerville, South Carolina.

Alisa shares her journey from learning pickleball during COVID to creating Charleston's hottest pickleball venue. Hear h...

Join host Tommy Welch as he chats with Mike Krilivsky, a passionate pickleball advocate, serial entrepreneur, and co-owner of the Texas Ranchers, a Major League Pickleball team. Mike shares his journey in pickleball, his team’s intense matches, and the sport's explosive growth. With insights into MLP team building, league expansion, and behind-the-scenes stories with partners like Lil Wayne and Scotty Scheffler, this episode is a d...