Pickleball Gear Addiction & Over 40 Truths | Rachel Chonko w/ Pickleball Innovators

We’re coming in hot with:

 🔹 New paddle won’t fix bad footwork
 🔹 Trampoline parks turn into ambulance calls
 🔹 Amazon carts grow while workouts get delayed

Plus, Rachel Chonko from Pickleball Innovators joins us to break down how the industry is shifting from hype-driven chaos to intentional, sustainable growth—and why only the smartest operators will last.

🎧 Listen now before another “upgrade” replaces real improvement.
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Get the link at bdepodcast.com/over40

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Transcript

Speaker 1:
Typically around 10 o’clock, everything’s off—TV, phones. Just laying there, having a conversation.

Speaker 2:
Gross.

Speaker 1:
This is Big Dink Energy—the pickleball podcast that’s half insight, half nonsense, and all entertainment. If you love pickleball, don’t take yourself too seriously, and think a little trash talk makes the game better, welcome home.

We celebrate the chaos, call out the nonsense, and put the fun back in dysfunction.

Let’s go.

Quick shoutout to Poor Sport—athletic apparel designed by people who actually care how it looks on and off the court. Bold, creative, a little rebellious. Check them out at poorsport.shop.

Speaker 2:
Alright, I’ve been thinking… people will buy anything except the basics they actually need.

Speaker 1:
We might be talking to you right now.

Speaker 2:
Everyone wants a new paddle, lead tape, more grit… but won’t fix footwork, conditioning, recovery. It’s like—just take a lesson.

Speaker 1:
Or manage your diet.

Speaker 3:
It’s easier to buy something than put in the work. I do it all the time. Instead of starting, I convince myself I need the perfect setup first.

Speaker 2:
So it’s a money versus discipline problem.

Speaker 1:
People love showing off their gear. What you don’t see is any training behind it.

Speaker 2:
Exactly. Amazon cart full of supplements… when all you needed was sunlight and movement.

Speaker 1:
Sunlight’s a great supplement.

Speaker 2:
And yeah, supplements are fine—but they don’t replace the basics.

Speaker 1:
Weighted tape won’t fix the fact you can’t move laterally.

Speaker 3:
Exactly.

Speaker 1:
When there’s a lack of skill, people create excuses. “If I just lose 10 pounds, I’ll be in my prime.”

Speaker 2:
I’m guilty too. But honestly, lessons don’t change based on the paddle. The fundamentals stay the same.

Speaker 1:
Footwork, coordination, positioning—that’s the work.

Speaker 2:
Maybe gear should be a reward. Do the work first, then earn it.

Speaker 3:
Let’s be real—most people don’t need better gear.

Speaker 1:
I’m showing up in a swimsuit next tournament.

Speaker 2:
People try to buy their way out of everything—health, skill, all of it.

Speaker 3:
“I’ll start once I have everything ready…” and then a month passes.

Speaker 2:
That’s just kicking the can down the road.

Speaker 1:
Retail therapy is real though.

Speaker 2:
Not helping your knee rehab.

Speaker 2:
Quick tip—don’t skip your warmup. Especially over 40. Your body needs 10 minutes minimum.

Speaker 1:
Every time.

Speaker 1:
Today’s guest—Rachel Chonko, Editor-in-Chief of Pickleball Innovators.

Speaker 3 (Rachel):
Thanks for having me.

Speaker 1:
What does the industry look like right now?

Speaker 3 (Rachel):
We’re entering a professionalization phase. It used to be “open a facility and people show up.” Now there’s competition. Operators have to be intentional—design, programming, staffing.

Speaker 1:
Players expect more now too.

Speaker 3 (Rachel):
Exactly—lighting, surfaces, overall experience.

Speaker 1:
What separates successful operators?

Speaker 3 (Rachel):
Research and intentionality. The ones who studied their market and listened to players before opening are thriving.

Speaker 1:
Biggest misconception?

Speaker 3 (Rachel):
That it’s easy. It’s not anymore.

Speaker 1:
Where’s this going?

Speaker 3 (Rachel):
Still early. If pickleball reaches the Olympics, growth will explode.

Speaker 1:
Why keep your events small?

Speaker 3 (Rachel):
To protect the experience. Smaller groups mean better conversations and real value.

Speaker 1:
Biggest overlooked factor?

Speaker 3 (Rachel):
Real estate. Bad site decisions can kill a business.

Speaker 1:
Pick Six—actually Pick Eight today. Things that should be illegal after 40.

Speaker 2:
Cold weather activities.

Speaker 3:
Sneezing.

Speaker 4:
Not wearing a bra in public.

Speaker 1:
Frosted tips.

Speaker 2:
Trampoline parks—ambulance city.

Speaker 3:
Ringtones.

Speaker 4:
Sitting on the floor without an exit plan.

Speaker 1:
Visible whale tails.

Speaker 2:
Let’s talk sleep. One bad night wrecks reaction time, decisions, everything.

Speaker 1:
So what are we doing to fix it?

Speaker 3:
Routine—magnesium, no phones, lights down, consistent schedule.

Speaker 2:
It’s also what you did during the day—hydration, exercise, timing meals.

Speaker 3:
And go to the bathroom before bed. Trust me.

Speaker 1:
I just close my eyes.

Speaker 2:
You also take mystery vitamins.

Speaker 1:
Military taught me—I can sleep anywhere.

Speaker 3:
Some of us aren’t that lucky.

Speaker 2:
Put your phone away—you’ll fall asleep out of boredom.

Speaker 1:
That’s it for this episode. Hit us at bdepodcast.com or on socials.

Follow, share, leave a review—or don’t.

Until next time—keep the dink soft and the energy big.