So you have a discount code for a paddle company, but does that mean you are actually sponsored? In this episode of Keeping it Real, Gina Cilento and Neil Friedenberg peel back the curtain on the business side of pickleball. They explain the massive difference between being a true sponsored athlete and an affiliate, and what it really takes to get paid to play versus just getting free gear.

The conversation shifts to the mental game, specifically your closet. Does looking like a pro actually make you play like one? Gina and Neil debate the psychology of sports attire, drop a hilarious comparison to Adam Sandler’s signature style, and discuss why Gina refuses to wear anything but black on the court.

They also touch on the fine line between confidence and ego, and how psychological strategies can impact sportsmanship during high-stakes tournaments.

Does wearing the latest gear give you a mental edge, or is it just an expensive placebo?

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You just smashed an overhead and oops, it tagged your opponent right in the chest. Do you apologize immediately, or is saying sorry a sign of weakness?

In this episode of Keeping it Real, hosts Gina Cilento and Neil Friedenberg settle the debate on court etiquette. From Gina's horror story about hitting an opponent in the throat during her first tournament to the unwritten rules of net cords and wind gusts, they break down exactly when sportsmanship demands an apology and when you should just play on.

Gina and Neil also dive into the Body Bag rule, why you shouldn't apologize for the weather, and how true competitiveness can coexist with being a nice person. Whether you are a tournament pro or a recreational player, this conversation will help you navigate the awkward art of the pickleball apology.

Make sure to sign up for the Empower Pickleball newsletter for more etiquette tips, gear reviews, and community stories at https://empowerpickleball.beehiiv.com/subscribe.

If you hit the net and the ball trickles over for a winner, do you actually feel sorry?

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Gina and Neil recorded this one live at Pickleball Kingdom in Menomonee Falls, WI, where the courts stay full and the community is the whole point. They dig into why pickleball facilities are exploding, how each one builds its own culture, and why people show up at the same place day after day.

Throughout the episode, they bring a rotating cast of players and instructors into the conversation: new players trying their first tournament, longtime athletes crossing over from other sports, die-hard community members who treat Pickleball Kingdom like a second home, and even a few surprise guests who flip the script and start interviewing them. They wrap with a look at Vibe Getaways and why pickleball trips have become the sport’s newest obsession.

It’s loose, funny, and full of the stuff you only hear when the mics are set up courtside.

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