Keeping It Real with Gina and Neil

Empower Pickleball

Tired of the same old pickleball chatter? So are we.Keeping it Real with Gina and Neil is the pickleball podcast that gets past the highlight reels and dives into what actually matters on and off the court. From honest gear reviews to what should really be in your pickleball bag, we’re bringing you real conversations without the fluff. Join us every week as we break down the good, the bad, and the unexpected sides of the fastest-growing sport, plus a few strong opinions along the way. Whether you're a rec player, a tournament grinder, or just pickleball-curious, you’ll find something real here. 🎾 Gear talk, community issues, court-side rants—we’re covering it all. Let’s keep it real.

  1. 10月15日

    We Tried Xtreme Brands CBD Balm & Spray | Instant Pain Relief on the Court!

    At a recent NPL event, Gina was struggling with serious back pain when she stumbled across Xtreme Brands, a pharmaceutical-grade wellness company known for their CBD-based products. One quick try of their CBD Pain Relief Balm and Spray, and the results? Immediate. Neil tested it on his knees... same story. We’re talking about what makes these products work, what’s inside them, and why they’re worth keeping in your pickleball bag. 👉 Shop Xtreme Brands: https://xtreme-brands.com/ 🎟️ Use code GINA for a discount on your order. Why We Love It: ✔️ Pharmaceutical-grade ingredients ✔️ Fast, noticeable relief ✔️ Non-greasy, easy to use ✔️ Smells great 💬 Let us know if you’ve tried it! We love discovering products that actually work for athletes and everyday players. 👇 Follow + subscribe: Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com Instagram → @empowerpickleball TikTok → @empowerpickleball

    14 分钟

  2. 10月8日

    Pickleball Rituals, Nerves, and Motivation | The Mental Side of the Game

    In this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, we’re diving into the mental side of pickleball, from quirky rituals and nervous habits to how we motivate ourselves (and our partners) when the game gets rough. We’ve all been there. You lose a few points in a row, your partner’s off their rhythm, and the pressure’s creeping in. So what do you do? Take a timeout? Shake it off? Crack a joke? Neil calls it “the game of runs,” and he’s right... pickleball moves fast, but there’s always another rally, another reset, another chance to get it together. How do you handle the mental swings? What’s your go-to reset when things start to spiral? And maybe the bigger question... how do you bring your partner back up without making it worse? 🎧 Tune in for an honest, funny, and relatable chat about staying grounded on the court, handling pressure, and embracing all the weird rituals that make us who we are as players. This episode is sponsored by Centerline. Performance pickleball apparel that fits, on and off the court. Our listeners get 20% off with code EMPOWER20 at checkout. 👉 Shop Centerline here: https://bit.ly/3J3oPuv 👇 Follow + subscribe: Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com Instagram → @empowerpickleball TikTok → @empowerpickleball

    25 分钟

  3. 10月1日

    Paddle Evolution | How Design Changed the Game

    In this episode of Keeping It Real with Gina & Neil, it’s all about paddles — where they started, how they’ve evolved, and where innovation is headed next. Neil shares a bit of family history from the early days of Pro Lite Pickleball and breaks down the details of the wooden paddles players had to use at the recent PPA Sacramento Vintage Open. From handle length and paddle faces to weaving patterns and honeycomb cores, Gina and Neil take you through the shifts that changed how the game is played. They also look ahead at trends in paddle design, what passes (and fails) in the approval process, the role of R&D, and whether your paddle actually matches your style of play. If you’ve ever wondered how we went from heavy wooden paddles to textured carbon fiber weapons — this one’s for you. 👇 Follow + subscribe: Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com Instagram → @empowerpickleball TikTok → @empowerpickleball

    25 分钟

  4. 9月17日

    The Pickleball Obsession | When Passion Turns Into Addiction

    Pickleball is fun, social, and healthy—but what happens when it takes over your entire life? Gina and Neil dive into the growing obsession with the sport and how it can spill into every area of life, from friendships and relationships to work and responsibilities. They talk about what makes pickleball so addictive, how to find balance between passion and everyday life, and why it’s important to have joy outside of the court. They love the game, but they don’t need to play every single day—and they want to know how you see it. Are you noticing pickleball becoming too much for people around you, or maybe even for yourself? Share your thoughts and join the conversation. 👇 Follow + subscribe: Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com Instagram → @empowerpickleball TikTok → @empowerpickleball

    19 分钟

  5. 9月10日

    From Pros to Pick-Up | Lessons From the Court

    This week’s episode is packed with real match talk and lessons from the court. Gina shares her run in the senior pro bracket at the APP Chicago Open, while Neil breaks down his local flex league tournament — including how he adjusted against opponents towering at 6’7” and 6’8”. The two dive into strategies for handling taller players, why partner chemistry is everything, and how trust builds when you play with someone new. They also explore what it means to learn from high-level competitors, from facing D1 tennis players to finding confidence against elite talent. Wrapping up, Gina and Neil talk coaching — highlighting styles, strengths, and how court positioning and awareness are key to growth. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing with a new partner? 👇 Follow + subscribe: Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com Instagram → @empowerpickleball TikTok → @empowerpickleball

    21 分钟

  6. 9月3日

    The Love of the Game | Why Pickleball Brings Out Our Inner Kid

    Everyone has that first game they fell in love with — the one that sparked endless hours of practice in the driveway, backyard, or garage. In this episode, they reflect on the athletes they admired growing up, the games that shaped them, and how all those moments paved the way for falling head over heels for pickleball. They explore why pickleball brings back that childhood joy: the kind that makes you feel lighter, more playful, and simply happy to be out on the court.  From Zane and Tyson’s serves to funny sideline stories, to the teammates who remind us to just have fun, this conversation is all about what makes pickleball more than competition — it’s about rediscovering the love of the game. 👉 Drop a comment: What was the first game you loved that led you to pickleball? 👇 Follow + subscribe: Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com Instagram → @empowerpickleball TikTok → @empowerpickleball

    21 分钟

  7. 8月27日

    From Local Courts to National Stages | How Pickleball Players Grow Their Game

    How do you go from hitting around at the local rec center to competing on the national stage? In this episode, Gina and Neil dig into the pathway of a pickleball player: starting with those first rallies at community gyms and rec departments, and eventually working up to tournaments both big and small. They talk about what it’s like to sign up for your first local event, the transition into regional and age-based competition, and how developmental leagues are shaping the next wave of players. Gina and Neil also touch on the role of APP and PPA as players broaden their horizons, and how community remains at the heart of the sport no matter what level you’re playing at. Along the way, they share their own stories and experiences, giving listeners a clear picture of what the journey can look like for anyone wondering what comes after casual rec play. Whether you’re just discovering pickleball or dreaming of bigger stages, this episode breaks down the steps to get there. 👇 Follow + subscribe: Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com Instagram → @empowerpickleball TikTok → @empowerpickleball

    24 分钟

  8. 8月20日

    The Delusional Player | When Confidence Turns to Chaos

    This week’s episode takes on one of Gina’s favorite topics: the delusional player. You know the type: the ones signing up for pro brackets without a shot at qualifying, the 3.5s decked out in flashy gear, or the players asking if they “have what it takes to go pro” while treating others with a sense of entitlement. Gina and Neil talk about the fine line between confidence and ego, how fragile egos can keep players from improving, and why humility and honest feedback matter more than inflated ratings. Gina shares a story about playing with someone who claimed a 4.0 DUPR but couldn’t get past no man’s land, and Neil explains how feedback and playing up can help players actually grow instead of staying stuck in delusion. This conversation isn’t about tearing people down. It’s about recognizing reality, embracing competition, and learning from losses with a clear head. 🎧 Sponsored by VKTRY Performance Insoles 👟 The only insoles scientifically proven to help you play better, recover faster, and stay injury-free. Shop here: https://rstr.co/vktrygear/empowerpickleball 👇 Follow + subscribe: Website → https://www.empowerpickleball.com Instagram → @empowerpickleball TikTok → @empowerpickleball

    18 分钟
查看全部 23 集

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关于

Tired of the same old pickleball chatter? So are we.Keeping it Real with Gina and Neil is the pickleball podcast that gets past the highlight reels and dives into what actually matters on and off the court. From honest gear reviews to what should really be in your pickleball bag, we’re bringing you real conversations without the fluff. Join us every week as we break down the good, the bad, and the unexpected sides of the fastest-growing sport, plus a few strong opinions along the way. Whether you're a rec player, a tournament grinder, or just pickleball-curious, you’ll find something real here. 🎾 Gear talk, community issues, court-side rants—we’re covering it all. Let’s keep it real.

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