Pickleballers Next Door

Mike Paze and Christana Elliott

Welcome to the Pickleballers Next Door podcast. Mike & Christana will be traveling around the country recording episodes at pickleball courts inside and outside,  talking to the everyday pickleball player. Find out what they love about pickleball and build a big pickleball community. 

  1. 6D AGO

    Episode 49 MoodSwing Denver's New Pickleball Event Center, Owner - PickleWatch

    Send us a text Tune in to hear the story behind MoodSwing, the challenges of opening a new venue, and what guests can expect when they walk through the doors. Podcast Episode: Inside the Opening of MoodSwing with the Founders & Chef and the Owner of PickleWatch. Episode Description In this episode, we sit down with Colton Cartwright and Giovanni Leone, owners of MoodSwing, along with executive chef Nicholas Dalton, to talk about the vision, energy, and excitement behind the opening of one of Denver’s most talked-about new entertainment venues. MoodSwing is redefining the social scene by blending pickleball, elevated food, craft cocktails, and immersive vibes into one unforgettable experience. Colton and Giovanni share how the concept came to life, what sets MoodSwing apart from other venues, and why community, fun, and connection are at the heart of everything they do. Chef Nicholas Dalton gives us a behind-the-scenes on his creative and great tasting pizzas. look at the menu, and how food plays a central role in the MoodSwing experience. Whether you’re a pickleball enthusiast, a foodie, an entrepreneur, or just someone who loves discovering what’s new in Denver, this episode offers an inside look at how passion, creativity, and teamwork come together to launch a next-level destination. In the same episode, we also meet with the owner George Yameen behind Picklewatch, a platform which turns your Apple Watch into a pickleball coach. Auto-detects swings & shot types, tracks speed, rally length, heart rate, and consistency—no phone needed during play. After a match, sync to iPhone for heatmaps, stroke charts, trends, and a single Quality Score. Get haptic cues for pace/time/recovery and see exactly how you’re improving. This episode is a must-listen for pickleball players, entrepreneurs, venue owners, and anyone interested in the business, culture, and rapid growth of pickleball. Special Thanks: mood-swing.com holeyperformance.com PickleWatch app Support the show Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information. Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at: IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

    43 min
  2. DEC 11

    Episode 48 Special Edition USA Pickleball Nationals, Adaptive Play

    Send us a text  Episode 48: Special Addition - Adaptive Excellence, USA Pickleball Insights & Peak Pickleball Adaptive Tournament 2026 In Episode 48 of Pickleballers Next Door, we bring you one of our most powerful and inspiring episodes yet—packed with adaptive athletes, USA Pickleball leadership, and a deep dive into the future of equipment standards. We sit down with Ryan Anthony and Zack Wentz, two extraordinary Adaptive Pickleball athletes competing at the USA Pickleball Nationals. They share their journey, their mindset, and what it means to represent adaptive players on the sport’s biggest stage. We also highlight an man Mick Tingstrom, who plays standing as a doubles partner with Ryan Anthony in the wheelchair division—showing the true spirit of inclusivity, competition, and teamwork in pickleball. Next, we connect with Scott Wilson of Peak Pickleball along with the great team for USA Pickleball to dive even deeper into the sport's growth, innovation, and future.  From USA Pickleball, we interview: Justin Maloof, Executive Leader at USA Pickleball, sharing insights on the growth of the sport, the future of tournaments, and expanding opportunities for adaptive athletes.Devyn McCurdy Director of Event Operations from USA Pickleball, who gives us a closer look at the key forces behind the preparation and execution of the 2025 Nationals tournament, Ryley Burgess, USA Pickleball’s Head of Paddle Governance, explaining everything you need to know about paddle approvals, regulations, and how equipment gets certified for tournament play.This episode is a powerful mix of adaptive excellence, governing-body perspective, player inspiration, and deep-dive pickleball knowledge—perfect for athletes, fans, coaches, and anyone who loves the sport’s growing inclusivity and innovation. Support the show Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information. Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at: IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

    1h 31m
  3. DEC 4

    Episode 47 Pickleballers Next Door - Herb Livsey Denver Nuggets Scout - Donovan from Mint Sports

    Send us a text Episode Description: Herb Livsey — Denver Nuggets Scout & 90-Year-Old Pickleball Coach In this inspirational episode of Pickleballers Next Door, we interview the legendary Herb Livsey — longtime Denver Nuggets scout, basketball mentor, and a 90-year-old pickleball coach who continues to teach and inspire athletes every single day. Herb Livsey has spent decades shaping the NBA by scouting elite talent for the Denver Nuggets. His eye for the game, his passion for player development, and his decades of experience have made him one of the most respected scouting figures in the league. But Herb is more than basketball. At 90 years old, he is still actively teaching pickleball, bringing his energy, knowledge, and love for sport to players of all ages. His commitment to movement, community, and lifelong learning is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, Herb shares: His journey through basketball and what it takes to scout true NBA talentStories from his decades with the Denver NuggetsHow he stays sharp, active, and motivated at age 90Why pickleball has become a passion — and why he teaches itHis mindset on aging, discipline, and living a life filled with purpose and activityThis is one of the most uplifting and motivating conversations you’ll hear — a celebration of longevity, sport, wisdom, and passion. Herb Livsey proves that age is simply a number and that greatness can continue at any stage of life. Also in this episode of Pickleballers Next Door, we chat with Donovan from Mint Sports  about building high-performance pickleball gear, paddle design innovation, and what sets Mint apart in the fast-growing pickleball world. A quick, insightful look into one of the sport’s rising brands. mintsport.com Special thanks to:  denvericonics.com holeyperformance.com Support the show Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information. Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at: IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

    34 min
  4. NOV 13

    Episode 44 Rocky Mountain PIKL - Breast Cancer Tournament Fundraiser

    Send us a text Episode 44: Rocky Mountain PIKL Breast Cancer Fundraiser at Relish Food Hall In Episode 44 of the Pickleballers Next Door Podcast, we take you behind the scenes of an incredible community event: the Rocky Mountain PIKL Breast Cancer Fundraiser hosted at Relish Food Hall. This inspiring episode highlights the power of pickleball, philanthropy, and the Colorado community coming together for an important cause. We sit down with Dawn Cerrone, the visionary behind Rocky Mountain PIKL, to discuss her passionate mission to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research and support. Dawn shares how pickleball has become a vessel for healing, connection, and making a real impact. Joining the conversation is Corrina Steiger, the Colorado Executive Director for Susan G. Komen. Corrina walks us through the organization’s critical work in Colorado, the resources available for patients and families, and how partnerships with events like this elevate breast cancer advocacy. We also chat with two powerful voices from Boulder’s wellness community: ✨ Claire from Alive & Well – sharing holistic approaches to wellness, recovery, and living a vibrant life ✨ Dr. Charlotte from Alpine Fit Physical Therapy – discussing alignment, movement, and how staying active supports long-term health and how she works with pickleball athletes.  This episode is full of energy, community, hope, and the unifying spirit of pickleball. Whether you're a Colorado local, a pickleball enthusiast, or someone passionate about supporting breast cancer awareness, this episode delivers inspiration and actionable ways to get involved. Support the show Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information. Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at: IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

    33 min
  5. NOV 6

    Episode 43 Professional Pickleball Player Mari Humberg Exhibition with Denver Iconics & Pros from Relish Food Hall

    Send us a text In this episode of Pickleballers Next Door, we take you inside  Pickleball at Relish Food Hall—Denver’s newest hotspot blending gourmet food, craft drinks, and competitive play. We sit down with Professional Pickleball Player Mary Humberg. Mary Humberg talks about how she was a professional tennis player, but is loving pickleball.  We also talk about her clinic and the exhibition games she played against some of the players of the Denver Iconics and Pros from the Relish Food Hall.   We’re also joined by Jen Hamman, Mario Boschi, and Gail Hook, owners of the Denver Iconics, along with Ann Corson, one of the team’s standout players. Together, they share how the Iconics are shaping professional pickleball culture, building fan engagement, and creating opportunities for local players to compete at a national level. From player development to community events, and from the thrill of exhibitions featuring Relish pros and Denver Iconics athletes, this episode is packed with insight, energy, and inspiration for anyone who loves the game. marihumberg.com Denvericonics.com Pickleballersnextdoor.com We want to give a special thanks to: Rollout Pickleball Courts from Pickleball Management Group Get you backyard Pickleball Court today! pickleballmanagement.com Holey Performance Drink. Hydrate faster, play longer. https://holeyperformance.com/   Support the show Thank you to our sponsor A Sweet Sip CBD drink. Visit https://drinkasweetsip.com/ for more information. Follow the PickleBallers Next Door at: IG: @pickleballersnextdoor TikTok: thepickleballersnextdoor

    47 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Pickleballers Next Door podcast. Mike & Christana will be traveling around the country recording episodes at pickleball courts inside and outside,  talking to the everyday pickleball player. Find out what they love about pickleball and build a big pickleball community.