The PicklePod is back with one of our most jam-packed episodes ever.

🏆 MLP Dallas shattered attendance records and delivered wall-to-wall chaos. The LA Mad Drops made their controversial debut… and immediately got swept. The Shock are rolling, Dreambreakers were electric, and Kate Fahey might be the most polarizing player in pro pickleball right now.

💰 Then, we talk to Lydia Hirt, VP of Marketing at Lifetime, about the $250,000 Lifetime Open — the first-ever singles-only pro pickleball tournament. Sideout scoring. Best of 5. Open to every top player in the world. ESPN2 coverage. This could be the future of singles pickleball.

🇺🇦 And finally, Aaron Trost joins the pod after spending two weeks in Ukraine, bringing pickleball to wounded soldiers and growing the game in war-torn communities. This is one of the most powerful stories we've ever told on the pod.

Cycling Frog is giving away their best-selling THC seltzers for free. You just pay two bucks for shipping. That’s it. Get yours here:

https://cyclingfrog.com/pages/seltzer...

Follow along with Aaron's efforts to spread the game here https://www.facebook.com/pickleballpl...

Leave your voicemail for the PicklePod at (512) 200 - 4299

------------------

Like the ep? Do us a favor: subscribe to our channel and leave a review on Apple or Spotify

-Subscribe to our 'all things pickleball' *free e-newsletter* at https://www.thedink.beehiiv.com

https://www.instagram.com/thedinkpick... -Follow us on IG

-Continue the convo in our private FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedi...

-For everything else we do, visit https://linktr.ee/dinkfam

-Read more about Zane and subscribe to his newsletter at https://zanenavratilpickleball.com/

-Follow Zane on IG @zanenavratilpickleball

#pickleball #pickleballcourts

------------------

0:00 Intro

4:35 The Shock lock up the No. 1 spot

5:50 How did the Mad Drops stack up?

8:42 Projected playoff bracket

12:28 First look at the new Mad Drops

15:58 Augie brings out the birds

19:55 Decibels off the charts in Dallas

22:44 The $250K pickleball necklace

24:20 Questionable bench behavior

29:25 T-dog picks a bone with the Shock and Kate Fahey on X

35:12 A brief Salt Lake Preview

Lydia Hirt

38:17 The $250K Life Time Singles Open

41:15 Open to competitors from both tours

44:35 Life Time’s pro 48 pickleball

49:40 What’s next from Life Time pickleball?

54:50 Will vs everybody

Aaron Trost

55:41 Zane ends Aaron’s pro dreams

57:06 Traveling with Pickleball Planter

1:02:45 What surfaces are you playing on?

1:04:10 Pickleball is the game of choice

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The LOUDEST Crowd in MLP History + $250K Singles Tourney Announced