Discover how pickleball can build a stronger mindset, better leadership skills, and a more grateful life. Coach Tommy sits down with keynote speaker, business owner, author, and 4.0 pickleball player Jeff Joiner to explore why pickleball is uniquely fun, social, competitive, and powerful for personal growth.

Jeff shares lessons from playing pickleball across the country, including the sport’s welcoming culture, the rapid improvement beginners experience, and the mental challenges that surface during competition. He also explains how coaching and mentorship reveal blind spots, why gripping the paddle too tightly can stall your dink game, and how players can learn from both wins and losses.

The conversation goes beyond technique to examine pickleball leadership, teamwork, integrity, emotional control, and character. Jeff also reveals the quality he believes separates happy people from unhappy people.

Whether you are a recreational player, tournament competitor, coach, business leader, or beginner learning the game, this episode offers practical perspective on becoming a better pickleball player—and a better person.

Follow Jeff:

Website - www.jeffjoiner.com

Insta - https://www.instagram.com/jeffreyjoiner

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JeffJoinerTraining/

Book - “Say It Like It Matters When It Matters: Communicating with Power, Effectiveness, and Authenticity.”

Available at online booksellers worldwide. Ebook on Kindle, Nook, or Apple Books. Audiobook at Audible and Apple Books

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FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/

Pickleball legend Lee Whitwell joins Smashing Plastic for a bold, hilarious, and brutally honest conversation about where pickleball is headed — from coaching problems and pro pickleball tension to the recreational community that keeps the sport alive. Coach Tommy and Lee dig into why process-based coaching beats results-based coaching, how players can handle pressure at 9-9, and why the future of pickleball depends on fun, development, and community.

This episode covers the real heartbeat of pickleball: amateur players, club culture, mental toughness, youth development, women’s pickleball, adaptive pickleball, and the difference between building players versus just running drills. Lee also shares her perspective on APP, PPA, MLP, the changing pro scene, and why pickleball needs to protect the 99% of players who simply love getting on court.

From “get the ball over one more time” to “it’s a plastic ball with 40 holes — have fun,” this is classic Smashing Plastic: loud, honest, coach-driven, and full of the kind of pickleball truth bombs every player, coach, and club owner needs to hear.

Follow Lee and Angela:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ladygibraltal

IG: https://www.instagram.com/angelaj.farmer

Website: https://Gamechangeherevents.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/gamechangeherevents

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FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/

Smashing Plastic hits Episode 50 with returning guest Jennings Smith from the very first guest on the podcast, for a powerful conversation about pickleball growth, drilling, strategy, mindset, and the business lessons that show up on and off the court. Coach Tommy and Jennings break down how players move past the 3.5–4.0 level, why third shot drops and dinking matter, and how smarter decision-making can change your entire pickleball game.

This episode goes beyond just swinging harder. Jennings shares how intentional drilling, skinny singles, controlled drops, better footwork, and learning when not to speed the ball up have helped him level up as a player. The guys also dig into the “cliquey” side of pickleball, playing with the right level group, and why self-awareness matters if you want to keep improving.

Then the conversation shifts into business, real estate, and entrepreneurship — including how pickleball strategy mirrors commercial real estate strategy. From finding weaknesses, making adjustments, and taking calculated risks, Jennings shares lessons from multifamily investing, commercial tenants, flex warehouse development, and building momentum before everything feels perfect.

Whether you’re chasing 4.0, trying to become a more complete pickleball player, or looking for motivation to take the next step in business, this episode is packed with bold, practical takeaways.

Watch now, subscribe, and let’s keep smashing plastic.

Follow Jennings and Unlock Your Life:

Website: https://jenningssmithjr.com

Pod: https://thepodcastfactory.com/jennings-smith-unlock-your-life/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jenningsfostersmithjr/

Follow Smashing Plastic:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/SmashingPlastic

IG: https://www.instagram.com/smashingthyplastic/