Today we have Ashley Waterson on the podcast! Ashley is the founder of The Picklin’ Vixens, our pickleball sisters on the West coast! Tune in for a giggle-filled chat about everything from how the vixens were founded, to fashion vs. function on the court, and the challenges of running a pickleball league. You won’t want to miss this fun and insightful chat! 

About Ashley: 

A life-long tennis player turned pickleball convert, Ashley Waterson is the founder of Picklin' Vixens. Started as the name of a text thread group among fellow female pickleball enthusiasts, the Picklin' Vixens is now a growing brand of badass "All Vix. No Dix" dedicated to the sport of pickleball and the support of other women. While still in its infancy, the goal is to grow the brand enough in order to give proceeds of any sales to nonprofit organizations that empower girls and women through sport. You can find Ashley and the Picklin' Vixens on Instagram and Facebook! 

When she's not on the pickleball court, Ashley can be found at her computer promoting the Vixens, producing the podcast "Nonprofit on the Rocks" the YouTube show starring her precocious 7-year old, "Evan's Curiosity Corner," or riding OneWheels with her husband, Mark. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Check out the Picklin’ Vixens on Instagram
• Connect with the Picklin’ Vixens on Facebook
• Learn more about The Pretty Picklers
• Follow The Pretty Picklers on IG @PrettyPicklers 
• Connect with The Pretty Picklers on Facebook!

Hey Pretty Picklers! We are so excited to share this interview with Lindsey Kenney, founder of one of our favorite pickleball clothing brands, Faye + Florie! Tune in as we discuss how Faye + Florie began, where Lindsey gets her inspiration for her eye-catching patterns and designs, and the best resources to accommodate your team’s fashion needs. Be sure to stay tuned for a special discount code that will score you 15% off your next Faye + Florie purchase! You don’t want to miss it. 

About Lindsey: 

Lindsey’s passion for tennis started at an early age.  She learned how to play during summers at a club on the Jersey Shore that had a very strict white clothing policy. After years of wearing the typically stiff and uncomfortable polyester pleated skirts with the zip-up backs paired with collared polo shirts, she started to test the limits of the rules. 

Fast WAY forward, she became pregnant with her second child and her team advanced far into the postseason. She was almost 7 months pregnant and playing for a chance to go to Nationals! Stuck with a lot of matches and nothing that fit she decided to make her own tennis clothes.  After much trial and error, and of course youtube tutorials, she taught herself to sew and Faye + Florie was born! 

After falling in love with pickleball she decided to team up with Michelle Esquivel, Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters, and Martina Kochli and sponsor them on the tour.  She wanted each pro to wear clothing they loved and in which they felt comfortable so she collaborated with each player to design their own lines within F+F. Made to fit any body type and hug and hold you in all the right places, her skirts pay homage to classic tennis style while pushing the limits in bold and colorful prints.

Resources Mentioned:

• Check out Faye + Florie 
• Use discount code PRETTYPICKLERS for 15% off your next purchase!
• Learn more about The Pretty Picklers
• Follow The Pretty Picklers on IG @PrettyPicklers 
• Connect with The Pretty Picklers on Facebook!

Today we have the pleasure of talking to Justin Romero, Head of Racquet Sports, tennis and pickleball pro, and coach at Ocean Reef! After getting so many amazing tips from Justin on the court, we knew we had to bring him on the show to share his knowledge! Listen in as Justin shares his journey to Ocean Reef, great advice for playing with new people, and some amazing tips and tricks for bringing your best to the court. You won’t want to miss it, team! 

About Justin Romero: 

Justin is the Head of Racquet Sports at Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL. Originally from Albuquerque, NM, he is a nationally ranked collegiate tennis player, a world-ranked pickleball professional, and USPTA and IPTPA Certified

"I love the game, and I love helping people achieve their goals, whether it’s becoming a professional tennis or pickleball player, wanting a great cardio workout, or anywhere in between, we will work together to achieve your goals". -Justin Romero

Looking for a mentor? Feel free to reach out to Justin at jromero@oceanreef.com!

Resources Mentioned:

• Work with Justin at Ocean Reef!
• Check out Ocean Reef on Instagram
• Check out Mizuno on Instagram
• Check out dINGK Sports on Instagram
• Learn more about The Pretty Picklers
• Follow The Pretty Picklers on IG @PrettyPicklers 
• Connect with The Pretty Picklers on Facebook!

Today on the podcast we’re joined by top 5 touring Pro Pickleball player, Frank Anthony Davis (FAD)! Frank gives us some pro tips for avoiding injury on the court, how to support your favorite pros, and an inside look into how he has used his passion for pickleball and background in engineering to design his signature paddle! We also hear about the amazing contributions he makes to ensure that women in sports gain equality on and off the court. Take a listen, Pretty Picklers!  

 About Frank Anthony Davis: 

Top 5 touring Pro Pickleball player Frank Anthony Davis (FAD), is originally from a small town in southern New Jersey. He lives with his wife Josie and their two rescue dogs. In 2019 he won the USAPA Heritage Tournament Triple Crown, was the National Pro singles bronze medalist, and the Chicago Open Champion. FAD is excited to be partnering with Niupipo on the pro tour in 2021. Together they look forward to growing the sport while creating quality products for more players to enjoy. You can learn more about Frank at FADPickleball.com.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about FAD Pickleball
• Follow Frank on Instagram
• Check out Niupipo Paddles!
• Donate to the Women's Sports Foundation
• Connect with Frank on Facebook
• Check out Frank on Twitter
• Learn more about The Pretty Picklers
• Follow The Pretty Picklers on IG @PrettyPicklers 
• Connect with The Pretty Picklers on Facebook!

Listen up, Pretty Picklers! Today’s episode is PACKED with pivotal pickleball information you do not want to miss! We are chatting with The USA Pickleball Association about everything this incredible organization is doing to grow the sport of pickleball and everything YOU can do to help! We’re joined by Stu Upson, CEO, and Karen Parrish, Managing Director of Competition, who give us the low down on the benefits of participating in a USA Pickleball sanctioned event, tips on where to start when registering for tournaments, and what you can do to be a pickleball ambassador! Tune in!  

About USA Pickleball: 

The USA Pickleball Association (USA Pickleball) is the national governing body for the sport of pickleball in the US and provides players with official rules, tournaments, rankings and promotional materials. The association is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation and governed by a board of directors and professional staff who provide the guidance and infrastructure for the continued growth and development of the sport.

Stu Upson is the Chief Executive Officer of USA Pickleball, the national governing body for the sport. Prior to joining USA Pickleball, Stu was the Chief Operating Officer at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island for 6 years. Stu’s previous sports management positions include Executive Director of the United States Bowling Congress (the national governing body of bowling), Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Skip Barber Racing, and Senior Vice President of Sports and Entertainment Marketing at First USA Bank. His sports and entertainment experience began when he joined Major League Baseball Properties as Vice President of Business Development after several years of working at New York advertising agencies. 

Karen Parrish is the Managing Director of Competition of USA Pickleball. Prior to accepting this position, Karen was the Regional Director of the Atlantic South Region from 2014 to 2018 and then the District Ambassador for the Emerald Coast District of FL for 1 year prior to accepting her current position.  Karen has been involved in sports for over 40 years.  Coaching and teaching pickleball, softball, baseball and many other youth programs throughout her career.  Karen was the Pickleball Director for the Emerald Coast as well as the Projects Manager of many special events for the City of Destin.  One of her favorite quotes is "I Never Lose, Either I Win or I Learn."  

Karen recently moved from Destin, FL to Scottsdale, AZ and is married with 2 children.

Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about USA Pickleball
• Follow USA Pickleball on Instagram
• Connect with USA Pickleball on Facebook
• Check out USA Pickleball on Twitter
• Catch exciting pickleball footage on the USA Pickleball Youtube Channel
• Learn more about The Pretty Picklers
• Follow The Pretty Picklers on IG @PrettyPicklers 
• Connect with The Pretty Picklers on Facebook!

We are so honored to have our good friend, mentor, and head of the Pretty Picklers team, Katie Taylor, join us on the podcast today! A life-long tennis player, it took Katie some time to adjust to the nuances of pickleball. Now she dominates on the pickleball court and she’s here to tell us how she made the transition and how she teaches others to do the same! We also hear the story about how Katie landed her sponsorship, why her dad loves to watch her lose a match, and the hilarious choice of mantra Katie uses to get focused on the court. You don’t want to miss this! 

About Katie: 

Katie is a PPR Certified Pickleball Professional and sponsored member of the Head/Penn Pickleball team. Her professional Gold medals include the 2020 New York Open Pickleball Championships, the 2019 New England Super Slam, the 2019 Atlanta Open, and the 2018 US Open. Katie's vivacious personality makes her a star on and off the court!

Resources Mentioned:

• Follow Katie on Instagram
• Check out Head/Penn Pickleball
• Learn more about The Pretty Picklers
• Follow The Pretty Picklers on IG @PrettyPicklers 
• Connect with The Pretty Picklers on Facebook!

Our dear friend, and Top 10 Pickleball Pro, Michelle Esquivel joins us on the podcast today!  Whether it’s due to her incredible teaching skills, her passion for pickleball, or her infectious laugh it’s no mystery why Michelle is considered a fan favorite. Listen in for tips on the best way to return to the court after an injury, the story of how The Ultimate Pickleball Academy got started, how to know which event is right for you at a tournament, and how to be the best doubles partner you can be. You don’t want to miss this one, Pretty Picklers! 

About Michelle: 

Michelle Esquivel is Top 10 Pickleball Pro, IPTPA certified instructor, and Co-Director of Ultimate Pickleball Academy 

In 2015, Michelle was introduced to Pickleball and within a few years, she decided to teach and play Pickleball Full time professionally. Since then, Esquivel has medaled in singles and doubles at several Major Professional Pickleball tournaments including PPA events, APP events, US Open, and Nationals. 

She graduated from Concordia University, Irvine on a full tennis scholarship with a BA in Exercise Sports Science with an Emphasis in Teaching and Coaching.  After graduating, she became a USPTA instructor at Matchpoint Tennis Academy and collegiate tennis coach at Cypress College. She later obtained her Master’s Degree in Physical Education at Azusa Pacific University and began teaching Kinesiology classes at the community college level. 

Michelle established herself in the Pickleball community as one of the top instructors in the game and has experience teaching with EngagePickleball Camps, LevelUp, Pickleball Getaways, and Suncoast Pickleball Academy. Her passion and love for the sport have made her a fan favorite. She’s made appearances as a live commentator for several professional pickleball events and has also been featured as a guest on several podcast pickleball shows. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Follow Michelle on Instagram
• Check out the Ultimate Pickleball Academy
• Shop Michelle’s line at Faye + Florie!
• Learn more about The Pretty Picklers
• Follow The Pretty Picklers on IG @PrettyPicklers 
• Connect with The Pretty Picklers on Facebook!

Wow! Today’s game-changing episode with The Pickleball PT, Frank Allen, is NOT to be missed! Listen in as Dr. Frank answers your questions on how to play better and hurt less on the pickleball court. We cover everything from leg cramps and tennis elbow, to plantar fasciitis. Should you be treating your muscles with heat or ice? Is your indoor play affecting your body differently than outdoor play? Find out all of this in more on this episode and listen in to see if your question was answered! 

About Frank: 

Frank Allen graduated from the University of North Florida doctorate physical therapy program in 2013. In 2019 he started a mobile concierge physical therapy business called Your Place Physical Therapy. He started playing pickleball during the beginning of the pandemic and, like everyone else, completely fell in love with the game. He and his wife moved to Sarasota in October of last year and after seeing how big pickleball was in the area (and how easy it is to suffer an injury related to pickleball) he soon realized that this population of people needed some help that he could provide. He created The Pickleball PT concept and began focusing efforts towards helping local players as well as using social media platforms to share content to help players across the world play better and hurt less.

Resources Mentioned:

• Follow Frank on Instagram
• Check out Pickleball PT!
• Connect with the Pickleball PT on Facebook
• Check out some helpful videos on The Pickleball PT Youtube Channel
• Get your pair of Zelus Pickleball Insoles
• Learn more about The Pretty Picklers
• Follow The Pretty Picklers on IG @PrettyPicklers 
• Connect with The Pretty Picklers on Facebook!