96 episodes
PicklePod Thomas Shields, Zane Navratil
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- Sport
On “PicklePod”, Thomas Shields and Zane Navratil deliver an entrée of updates from around the Pickleball World. Some would say it’s a “Picklers” dream podcast with the duo’s loud and unfiltered insights commentating on the good, the bad, and even the ugly sides of the sport as Pickleball undeniably rockets towards mainstream adoption. Weekly rotating topics, guests, tournament recaps, Pickleball pop-culture, player strategies, and more. No comment or topic can breach the PicklePod Non-Valley Zone, everything is in play. It’s on the PicklePod or it didn’t happen. Thomas Shields is the Founder Of “The Dink Pickleball” Media company and Zane Navratil is atop ranked pickleball pro who has won championships on the PPA Tour, APP Tour, and Major League Pickleball.
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Unique pickleball drills that fueled rapid rise to top pro
Augie Ge’s unique entry into pickleball had an unfortunate beginning but became a blessing in disguise. After losing his biostatistics job, Ge went all-in and pro pickleball.
His own brand of obscure drills and tennis/ping pong background have led him to a PPA Silver Medal, MLP Premier Level, and an Arizona Pickleball League title.
Ready to wield something as bold as your backhand? Swing by Warstic’s collection and let your paddle do the talking. https://warstic.com/collections/pickleball-paddles
Subscribe to The Dink 3x weekly newsletter https://thedink.beehiiv.com/
Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.
Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
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Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
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0:00 Introducing Augie Ge
4:24 Augie’s blessing in disguise
9:18 Early pro days and Zane’s wedding
13:10 The social bump after good results and salary talk
17:55 Credit to HeyShay
21:47 AZ Pickleball League influence
25:41 The Silver Medal run with Jaume in NC
27:51 Power ranking the lefties and
30:56 Unorthodox training methods and unique wall drills
34:04 Do you train grip changes?
38:11 Table tennis crossover and extra emphasis on the volleys
41:46 Augie’s win over Zane
46:14 MLP Forecast for the DPC
49:20 Augie’s college tennis experience and April schedule
54:10 ALW’s dominance and 100th title
1:00:02 Do you watch when not playing?
1:01:40 Voicemails
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This episode is for pickleball nerds only
Newly appointed GM of the Texas Ranchers, Ryan Dawidjan, joins the pod. The guys grade and analyze all of the MLP teams following the draft.
The Ranchers' first pick Christian Alshon has started a Twitter feud. The guys discuss how the back and forth shook out and a new possible on-court challenge between Alshon and James Blake.
Ready to wield something as bold as your backhand? Swing by Warstic’s collection and let your paddle do the talking.
Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.
Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
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0:00 Introducing Ryan Dawidjan
6:30 Ryan’s draft experience
8:17 How do you prep in just 48 hours?
14:30 Factoring in growth potential
18:58 Seattle Pioneers
25:02 New Jersey 5’s
30:01 Humberg and Howells
35:07 St. Louis Shock
37:04 Columbus Sliders
40:52 AZ Drive
45:39 NY Hustlers
52:51 Texas Ranchers
59:17 Christian Alshon’s Twitter Feud
1:03:04 Alshon vs Blake hypothetical
1:09:30 DC Pickleball Team
1:10:20 LA Mad Drops
1:11:23 Orlando Squeeze and wedding talk
1:14:03 Dallas Pickleball Club
1:16:30 Utah Black Diamonds
1:18:44 Premier Level snubs
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How Zane upset the #1 Johns Bros
Zane recaps his big weekend at the Austin Open and how the conditions were right for a Johns upset. Pickleball United CEO Pranav Kohli stops by to explain the Pickleball World Series. The new international tour is set to kick off in 2025 and offers some of the largest prize pools in pickleball history.
Use code DINK10 to save 10% on the new CHUCK pickleball from GAMMA at http://gammasports.com/
Want to work in pickleball? Join The Dink Team. We're looking for a full-time social media manager. Send us an email at thedinkteam@heydink.com to apply.
Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
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0:00 Zane’s big weekend at the Rain Delay Open
5:20 Outlining the winning strategy
9:57 Upcoming pros vs 5.0s and a match vs the Klitchs
16:31 Collin’s scoop in game 2, carry or not
19:27 Play to your strengths with a new partner
24:30 Andrei’s hot streak and Christian’s ceiling
28:35 The curse of the PicklePod
32:34 MLP events overlap some APP events
34:27 Is the gap closing on Ben Johns?
37:14 Iggy on the hot seat and is Andrei #2
40:27 Is the APP vs PPA gap overstated? & Newman vs Wright
42:52 Proton paddles pushing the limits
48:10 Thomas’ rocketship paddle is on the way
51:04 New Vulcan balls in Austin
53:31 Listener questions
56:48 Secret patterns that the pros talk about
59:53 Introducing Pickleball World Series
1:04:45 What makes the World Series different
1:11:57 How is the Times Group involved?
1:15:50 Finals at MSG or the Sphere
1:19:38 What are you working on now?
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Insane fan stories and the pressure of being #1
What’s it like to be the world’s best player at just 17 years old? Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters join a very special edition of the PicklePod to give you a look behind the curtain.
They share some insane fan stories including groups of fans tracking them down at the airport. Finally, Anna Leigh explains how to hit one of her most dangerous shots.
Save 10% on the new Airbender paddle from GAMMA with code DINK10 at gammasports.com
Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
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0:00 Anna Leigh’s car collection
6:17 The pressure of being number 1
11:40 Partnership helps the mother-daughter relationship
16:00 ALW fandom reaches new heights
19:10 Tennis world recognizes the Waters
22:50 An average day of training
26:49 Adapting to paddle technology
32:15 Anna Leigh’s new paddle
36:39 Is Leigh Waters back?
42:49 Net worth rumors and sponsorship deals
48:12 Lessons from lob-gate
53:35 The pressure to win and the Tyra Black match
1:02:34 Innovating with the Happy Gilmore Serve
1:04:31 Anna Leigh’s two-handed backhand
1:08:10 RV life and ALW’s ‘bodyguard’
1:13:20 Rapid fire questions
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The reality of the PPA & MLP Merger
Jimmy Miller from the King of the Court podcast joins the pod to break down the merger aftermath. The MLP season can finally get underway but there are still a few loose ends to tie up.
A couple players have opted out of salary reductions or have been bought out of their contracts. That means we could see some top talent choosing not to compete in PPA or MLP events this year.
Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
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0:00 Intro
4:14 How Jimmy got on the inside
7:24 What’s the goal for Jimmy?
9:26 Vulcan Ball changes incoming
14:28 Feeding balls to Susan and wearing a Rolex
17:12 Background on the Tour Wars
24:05 Players offered and accepted buy-outs
29:23 Clinics threatened for those that don't take cuts
35:15 How would ProXR feel about Riley not playing tournaments?
39:45 Johnson 5 in no man’s land
42:55 MLP Draft planned for North Carolina - First event Miami?
49:26 Life as a GM
52:10 The Premier/Challenger split
55:48 Should every team be in the Premier Level?
1:05:50 Pros coming after Jimmy
1:19:15 The Gamemaker and new pickle sports
1:24:02 Jimmy needs a new scandal
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Collin Johns gets technical, pickleball strategy talk
After a surprising upset in Mesa, Collin Johns is back on the PicklePod. He explains how the new Vulcan ball is affecting play and how the new serve rule has helped remove egregious faults from the game.
Collin recalls the few teams that have taken him and his brother Ben in the past three years and explains how those opponents were able to hand them an L. Learn what three drills CJ says are mandatory in an all-new episode.
Pickleball's #1 subscription box is here https://www.thedink.shop/
To support Stop Alzheimers Now and submit your question for the pod visit: https://www.stopalzheimersnow.org/donate.html
Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299
------------------
Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify
-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedinkpickleball.com/signup/
-Follow us on IG *@thedinkpickleball*
-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...
-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam
-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/
-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball
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0:00 Colin Johns intro
3:38 A little word association
5:45 Breaking news
9:30 Early life at the Johns household
13:29 The famous nut shot
15:49 Collin’s first match the eye protection
18:32 Bodybag or net cord?
21:14 The bookcase that made Ben’s backhand
29:46 Frankensteining - Stealing shots from other players
33:16 The impact of the Vulcan ball
41:10 The loss the Gabe Tardio/Andrei Daescu
48:47 What’s it take to beat the Johns bros
53:36 Only three drills allowed
59:27 Collin’s role on the player council
1:08:14 The year of the drop serve
1:11:26 Consulting and myth-busting
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