The MicklePod

Pickle with Mickle Interview Series: Here comes the Boom with Tracy Wilcox of Dynamite Pickleball

Summary
Tracy Wilcox, co-owner of Dynamite Pickleball and Heights Athletic Club, shares her journey in pickleball and the expansion of her business. She discusses the challenges of managing time and scheduling, as well as the importance of National Working Moms Day. Tracy also talks about the selection of pickleball balls and the issue of sandbagging in tournaments. She provides insights into the benefits of using a two-handed backhand and emphasizes the importance of footwork and movement in pickleball. Lastly, Tracy discusses paddle technology and the need for eye protection in the sport. In this conversation, Tracy Wilcox discusses the importance of eye protection in pickleball due to the power and speed of the game. She recommends wearing eyewear to prevent serious injuries. The conversation then shifts to the topic of injuries in pickleball and the need for stretching, staying hydrated, and warming up properly. Tracy emphasizes the importance of teaching healthy habits to prevent injuries. The conversation also touches on favorite snacks, fear of clowns, board games, coffee preferences, swimming with sharks, dream destinations, extreme sports, and celebrity pickleball players. Tracy shares her upcoming events and weekend plans.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Schedule01:14 Tracy's Schedule and National Working Moms Day05:17 Tracy's Journey to Pickleball07:44 Expansion to Heights Athletic Club08:35 Donuts and Shirts Off in Pickleball09:13 March Madness and College Basketball10:18 Expansion to Texas15:31 Pickleball Ball Selection21:27 Two-Handed Backhand in Pickleball22:30 Footwork and Movement in Pickleball27:47 Paddle Technology and Eye Protection28:16 Pop in Paddles and Eye Protection31:39 Injuries and Precautions33:23 Stretching and Warm-up36:19 Favorite Snacks and Guilty Pleasures37:13 Fear of Clowns38:08 Board Games and Coffee Preferences40:30 Swimming with Sharks and Dream Destinations42:46 Extreme Sports and Celebrity Pickleball Players45:21 Upcoming Events and Weekend Plans

Season 6 Episode 8 Reasonable Judgment

All part of my 3 prong plan to keep you busy until selection Sunday. Part I Sorry not Sorry Interview, go check it out. 
Part II. Right here. Weekend Preview. 
Part III: Lighting the Fuse on Pickleball with Tracy Wilcox of Dynamite PB. ( coming tomorrow)  

Pickle with Mickle Interview Series : All Apologies; Sorry not Sorry on the Court

Summary
In this interview, Chris Calamusa, also known as Chris Cali, talks about his journey into pickleball and the creation of his content series, Sorry Not Sorry. He discusses his experience with different paddles and shares his thoughts on the increasing speed and power in the game. Chris also mentions the importance of eye protection and reveals his duper rating. Finally, he mentions an upcoming tournament and expresses his excitement to visit the Lowe's Cabos pickleball facility. The conversation covers various topics including shirtless pickleball players, playing pickleball in relationships, preferences for pickleball balls, favorite pickleball players, hottest pickleball babes, predicting Anna Leigh Waters' performance, music preferences, and favorite pump-up songs and Nirvana songs. In this episode, host Mickle interviews Chris Cali, a pickleball enthusiast. They discuss childhood memories, including the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest and dumb contests they participated in. They also talk about their favorite TV shows and music, including South Park, Ren and Stimpy, Bruce Springsteen, and Bon Jovi. The conversation covers topics such as trash talking in sports, Action Park in New Jersey, and the TV shows The Hills and Jersey Shore. They end the episode by discussing dream pickleball foursomes and reviewing the show.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Hiding Jersey Roots03:00 Getting into Pickleball and Starting Sorry Not Sorry05:53 Exploring Different Paddles09:02 The Pop and Speed of Pickleball14:59 Protecting Eyes and Duper Rating24:02 Shirtless Pickleball Players25:23 Playing Pickleball in Relationships29:38 Preferences for Pickleball Balls32:16 Favorite Pickleball Players35:10 Hottest Pickleball Babes36:05 Predicting Anna Leigh Waters' Performance38:02 Music Preferences41:25 Favorite Pump-Up Songs43:03 Favorite Nirvana Songs44:25 Introduction and Childhood Memories45:02 Hot Dog Eating Contest and Dumbest Contests47:04 Favorite TV Shows and Music48:12 Trash Talking in Sports49:16 Bruce Springsteen vs Bon Jovi50:33 Action Park and New Jersey Movies52:23 The Hills vs Jersey Shore54:36 Dream Pickleball Foursome57:21 Review of the Show58:55 Chicago Bears and NFL Draft01:00:24 Promotion and Farewell
 

Season 6 Episode 7 It is Worship Your Tools Day

You can't make it up. Get out the shrine to Screwdrivers, drills and hammers. 
Ready to hammer down your Bracket? Patience. 
 

Season 6 Episode 6 Washington. North Carolina.

The Pickleverse giveth 2 interviews this week and action in Sactown and Minnesota. MLP Australia ! 
Carolina and Duke. "Nuff Said. 
Thoughts from Washington ?   

Pickle with Mickle Interview Series Designing the Game with Matt Bridges

Summary
In this conversation, Matt Bridges discusses his journey from playing in punk bands to becoming a graphic designer. He shares how he got started in pickleball and how his passion for the sport led to creating graphics for pickleball players. Matt talks about his collaborations with players like Megan Fudge, Jack Monroe, and Connor Garnett. He also mentions his sponsorship with 6ix5ive Pickleball and his Funko Pop collection. The conversation concludes with a discussion about Matt's favorite shows and his plans for watching the Oscars. In this conversation, Matt Bridges discusses movie recommendations, speculation on Kirk Cousins' future, excitement for Justin Fields, fantasy football strategies, favorite cartoons and bands, dream pickleball team, preferences between outer space and deep underwater, favorite Star Wars movie, first CD bought, and favorite football player of all time.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Pickleball Tournament02:21 Matt's Musical Background and Graphic Design Journey03:23 Living in New York and Moving to California03:53 Public Transit in New York vs California04:28 Playing Pickleball with His Daughter and Starting Graphic Design05:00 Creating Graphics for Pickleball Players07:21 Working with Megan Fudge and Other Pickleball Players09:07 Matt's Approach to Graphic Design and Keeping a Small Team09:54 Playing Pickleball with Pro Players10:35 Matt's Sponsorship with 6ix5ive Pickleball10:59 Playing Pickleball with Udit, Megan, Jack, and Connor12:12 Creating Graphics for Pickleball Players13:30 Matt's Funko Pop Collection18:20 Matt's Wife's Love for Movies19:01 Matt's Wife's Love for Marvel Movies20:29 Watching the Oscars and Matt's Favorite Shows30:56 Movie Recommendations32:10 Speculation on Kirk Cousins' Future33:19 Excitement for Justin Fields33:46 First Pick in Fantasy Draft35:33 Number of Fantasy Football Leagues36:36 Fantasy Team Name37:11 Trophy and Team Name38:18 Favorite Saturday Cartoon39:18 Favorite Band41:24 Dream Pickleball Team43:49 Outer Space or Deep Underwater44:21 Favorite Star Wars Movie45:32 First CD Bought46:44 Superpower for One Day47:30 Favorite Football Player All Time48:29 Marvel vs. DC

Pickle with Mickle Interview Series Getting Saxxy in the Kitchen with Dennis Rodriguez

Dennis Rodriguez, also known as Pickleball Dude, discusses his journey in pickleball and his involvement with Mavericks. He shares personal stories, including his wife going into labor during a game and the surprise gender of their baby. Dennis also talks about the popularity of pickleball among firefighters and the potential for a firefighter tournament. He emphasizes the importance of practice, shot selection, and strategy in improving one's game. Dennis discusses his aspirations to play in pro tournaments and the challenges of balancing pickleball with family and work responsibilities. He also provides insights into staying physically fit for pickleball and the importance of stretching and recovery. In this conversation, Dennis Rodriguez, also known as Pickleball Dude, discusses his connection with Maverix Paddles and his love for their products. He also shares his background in music, particularly his skills on the saxophone and his experiences performing the national anthem. Dennis talks about his sports fandom, including his support for the Lakers, Dodgers, and Angels. He shares his transition from baseball to tennis and his passion for pickleball. Dennis also reveals his dream vacation destinations and his ideal pickleball match with friends and Rafael Nadal. The conversation concludes with a discussion on training meals and electrolyte replenishment.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Weather01:04 Canceled Tournament and Pickleball Events06:09 Pickleball Among Firefighters09:46 Accessibility of Pickleball Pros11:40 Growth and Future of Pickleball12:39 Importance of Practice and Skill Level14:32 Strategy and Shot Selection19:48 Playing with Spouse and Cementing Partnerships21:33 Youth Pickleball and Daughter's Involvement23:39 Staying Physically Fit for Pickleball27:43 Involvement with Mavericks and Pickleball Portal28:22 Introduction and Connection with Maverick29:01 Discussion about Maverick Paddles30:43 Dennis' Musical Background and Saxophone Skills32:10 Performing the National Anthem on the Saxophone33:28 Influences and Inspiration in Saxophone Playing34:11 Pump-Up Music and Pre-Match Rituals35:21 Sports Fandom: Lakers, Dodgers, and Angels36:07 Transition from Baseball to Tennis37:17 Choosing Firefighting over College Tennis38:30 Dream Vacation Destinations: Ireland, Australia, and Japan40:34 Dream Pickleball Match with Friends and Rafael Nadal42:03 Favorite TV Shows: Rewatching 24 and Dexter43:38 Celebrity Crushes: Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Alba46:53 Training Meal and Electrolyte Replenishment49:55 Shoutout to Los Cabs and Upcoming Tournaments50:43 Conclusion and Farewell
 

Season 6 Episode 5 Five V Cinq

Monday Monday. We are off to a great start. March Madness will be here soon. 
Team Pickleball, start to Dream.