THE SOCIAL SIDE OF PICKLEBALL

Sam Orlansky: I like mouth piece Sam. Well it it fits if I mean I've been called that for the last three fucking years. Yeah. I mean, I instantly when Merv was talking to me about the the podcast, I remembered you instantly.

samo mac: mouth piece Sam Well, it it fits if I mean I've been called that for the last three fucking years. Yeah. I mean, I instantly when Merv was talking to me about the the podcast, I remembered you instantly. And then I'm like, this guy looks like

Sam Orlansky: And then I'm like, this guy looks like

samo mac: Freaking

Sam Orlansky: Freaking from Sandlot The guy with the 'cause he was wearing glasses without lenses, right? the kitchen blockers?

samo mac: from Sandlot The guy with the 'cause he was wearing glasses without lenses, right? And he was wearing kitchen blockers? No. They weren't kitchen blockers weren't out yet. they were both lenses out of glasses? Hey, someone's gotta someone's gotta innovate first. Hey when you when you play like me you get hit. I mean Fair enough. Right, let's go.

Sam Orlansky: They weren't kitchen blockers. they were both straight up. Lenses out of glasses? Hey, someone's gotta someone's gotta innovate first. Hey when you when you play like me you get hit. I mean Fair enough. Right, let's go.

samo mac: I'm gonna have to mute you, Jimmy. I'm gonna have to mute you so I can start. Alright,

Sam Orlansky: I'm gonna have to mute you, Jimmy. I'm gonna have to mute you so I can start. Alright,

samo mac: you're muted, Jimmy. Most people think pickleball is all about techniques. But I think there's another game happening on the court.

Sam Orlansky: you're muted, Jimmy. Most people think pickleball is all about techniques. But I think there's another game happening on the court.

samo mac: nobody teaches it, nobody keeps score, yet every single one of us is playing it. It's the game of first impressions, confidence, body language, reputation, and psychology. It's the invisible game. It's the social game,

Sam Orlansky: It's the game of first impressions, confidence, body language, reputation, and psychology. It's the invisible game. It's the social game.

samo mac: And I've even noticed this when I wear my mouthpiece. How people look at me, how they roll their eyes, how they giggle, how they ask questions. Today we're

Sam Orlansky: And I've even noticed this when I wear my mouthpiece. How people look at me, how they roll their eyes, how they giggle, how they ask questions. Today we're talking about everything that happens around pickleball that has nothing to do

samo mac: talking about everything that happens around pickleball that has nothing to do with With the actual score. Welcome to 44X20, boys.

Sam Orlansky: with the actual score. Welcome to 44X20 Boys.

samo mac: So, on today's episode, we're heading southbound and we're hanging out with some new friends. We're going south of the 56. We're going south of the 52. Are we going south of the eight? yeah. We're going south of the eight. Today I've got two ballers in the studio. I got Mervin and I got Jimmy. Welcome to the show, boys.

Sam Orlansky: guys. So on today's episode, we're heading southbound and we're hanging out with some new friends. We're going south of the 56. We're going south of the 52. Are we going south of the 8? yeah. We're going south of the 8. Today I've got two ballers in the studio. I got Mervin and I got Jimmy. Welcome to the show, boys!

samo mac: Yeah. Yes! Guitar.

Sam Orlansky: Yeah. that's so good. Yes. Guitar.

samo mac: Can I play this like before my next like tournament match? Like this same this same intro I need it. I'm only playing free s free music on here. We don't have to worry about copyrights. Hopefully not. Yeah. All right boys, welcome to the show, man. I like my intros like that, royalty free, you know? So I don't know you guys that well. You guys are the first folks I've had on the pod that I'd consider friendlies.

Sam Orlansky: Can I play this like before my next like tournament match? Like this same this same intro I need it. I'm only playing free s free music on here. We don't have to worry about copyrights. Hopefully not. Yeah. Alright boys, welcome to the show, man. I like my intros like that, royalty free, you know? So I don't know you guys that well. You guys are the first folks I've had on the pod that I'd consider friendlies.

samo mac: people I kind of know distantly, but you know, not intimately. We haven't really shared the court together that much, but we've crossed paths in a lot of unique ways. Yeah. first before we get going, tell the listeners how you guys know each other, how you guys got into pickleball and how you guys got hooked on pickleball and how you guys got hooked on each other. Ooh, hooked on each other is really is really what I want to talk about today. probably like a year ago.

Sam Orlansky: people I kinda know distantly but you know not intimately. We haven't really shared the chord together that much, but we've crossed paths in a lot of unique ways. Yeah. first before we get going, tell the listeners how you guys know each other, how you guys got into pickleball and how you guys got hooked on pickleball and how you guys got hooked on each other. Ooh, hooked on each other is really is really what I want to talk about today. probably like a year ago.

samo mac: This guy started coming into the hub.

Sam Orlansky: This guy started coming into hub.

samo mac: He had long hair, would always wear a tank top full of tattoos and I'm like, Bro, who's this douchebag, right? At the hub. And I'm just like, God, like he's gonna be an a$$hole for sure, right?

Sam Orlansky: He had long hair, would always wear a tank tongue full of tattoos and like, Bro, who's this douchebag, right? And I was like, god, like he's gonna be in a a$$hole for sure, right?

samo mac: And then I met him through a ladder match and I was like,

Sam Orlansky: And then I met him through a ladder match and I like, why's this go so nice, right? And then

samo mac: why is this guy so nice, right? And then turns out he's not really that nice 'cause when we play each other, people think we hate each other 'cause

Sam Orlansky: turns out he's not really that nice 'cause when we play each other people think we hate each other 'cause

samo mac: the amount of shit talking we do to each other.

Sam Orlansky: the amount of shit talking we do to each other.

samo mac: Have you ever met someone and instantly thought, Yeah, we're gonna get along?

Sam Orlansky: have you ever met someone and instantly thought, yeah, we're gonna get along.

samo mac: Yeah, all the time. I feel like every time I start a game, I'm o I'm always like I have this personality where I see people get really annoyed right away. But if they laugh, it's like, you know, I I one hundred percent know we're gonna get along right away. 'Cause that's just who I am. And then for some people it takes a while for them to learn how I am. And then some they just

Sam Orlansky: Yeah, all the time. I feel like every time I start a game, I'm o I'm always like I have this personality where I see people get really annoyed right away. But if they laugh it's like, you know. I I one hundred percent know we're gonna get along right away. 'Cause that's just who I am. And then for some people it takes a while for them to learn how I am. And then some they just

samo mac: W want nothing to do with me.

Sam Orlansky: don't want nothing to do with me.

samo mac: I know the feeling. Do you remember the first time you played me? I do, yeah. Yeah, and so that what were your thoughts on me? That tournament was like super weird because I played against you. I played against my really good friend Andrew now, who's in our group, and I played against Dylan, who's like my my partner now. And Who are with? somebody named CJ. Okay. Yeah. and

Sam Orlansky: I know the feeling. Do you remember the first time you played me? I do, yeah. Yeah, I'm so that what were your thoughts on me? That tournament was like super weird because I played against you. I played against my really good friend Andrew now, who's in our group, and I played against Dylan, who's like my my partner now. And Who were with? somebody named CJ. Okay. Yeah. and the

samo mac: So me and C J signed up for three O. We were new, right? you did? Yeah. And then

Sam Orlansky: then all of a sudden they're like, Yeah, nobody signed up. We're gonna we're there's one 4.0 team and it is you. Yeah, me and Cuong And then I was like

samo mac: All of a sudden they're like, Yeah, nobody signed up. We're gonna we're there's one four team and it is you. Yeah, me and Coon. And then I was like, Fuck, bro. and then when we played against you, we were like, Yeah, we're not that good. And then you guys were all startled, remember? I remember you hit the ball s so fucking hard. Like Okay, keep keep going. Yeah, we were just we're we were both just bangers, like, you know? And then I'm like, this guy looks like

Sam Orlansky: and then when we played against you we were like, Yeah, we're not that good and then you guys were all startled, remember? I remember you hit the ball s so fucking hard. Like okay, keep keep going. Yeah, we were just we're we were both just bangers, like, you know? And then I'm like, this guy looks like

samo mac: Freaking

Sam Orlansky: Freaking from Sandlot The guy with the 'cause he was wearing glasses without lenses, right? the kitchen blockers?

samo mac: from Sandlot The guy with the 'cause he was wearing glasses without lenses, right? And he was wearing kitchen blockers? No.

Sam Orlansky: They weren't kitchen blockers. they were both straight up. Lenses out of glasses? Hey, someone's gotta someone's gotta innovate first. Hey when you when you play like me you get hit. I mean Fair enough. Right, let's go.

samo mac: They weren't kitchen blockers weren't out yet. they were both lenses out of glasses? Hey, someone's gotta someone's gotta innovate first. Hey when you when you play like me you get hit. I mean Fair enough. Right, let's go. one of the things I remember from that tournament is yeah, we were so Cuong called me at like five thirty that night and was Hey, you wanna go out in the hub and play? And I was like, When? And he's like, six thirty. Gives you an hour notice. And I I I like to be the guy who always says yes, because when someone reaches out to you, they're reaching out to you, you know what I mean? Yeah. And if and I like to play, so why not? So he was like, You don't care about your DUPR do you? because everybody's 3.0 so you could go down. I'm like,

Sam Orlansky: one of the things I remember from that tournament is yeah, we were so Coon called me at like five thirty that night and was Hey, you wanna go out in the hub and play? And I was like, When? He's like, six thirty gives you an hour notice. And I I I like to be the guy who always says yes, because when someone reaches out to you, they're reaching out to you, you know what I mean? Yeah. And if and I like to play, so why not? So he was like, You don't care about your DUPR, do you? And because everybody's three so you could go down.

samo mac: Nice. Yeah. We did take a loss on that day. You did you lost to one team and that's against Andrew. Yeah, we were fucking off. I remember I tried to there was a there was a shot where it was like a

Sam Orlansky: Nice. Yeah. probably We did take a loss on that day. You did did lose to one team and that's against Andrew. Yeah, we were fucking off. I remember I tried to there was a there was a shot where it was like a it landed right in the kitchen and it landed high and I tried to tap it with the back of my paddle like this. That's some cheeky ass shit. Yeah.

samo mac: Have you? Yes. Ooh. only in rec play. Okay. and Cuong he's very fundamental. He looked at me like Yeah, what the What are you doing?

Sam Orlansky: And and that's usually when I I'm sorry. And so we lost the game. And we took a big hit on DUPR but I mean I don't give a shit. Yeah.

samo mac: Do you guys do you guys have pickleball goals for yourself for this year? yeah. Or pickleball goals in general? You do? Yeah, yeah, for sure. Do you mind sharing them? Yeah, yeah. So mine mine specifically has to do with DUPR because like as a coach, I have my DUPR my duper's never been higher than a three eight. But I, contrary to like your thoughts on DUPR, you're like, I don't really give a fuck. I was like a little bitch about it for a long time. Like I was like,

Sam Orlansky: Do you mind sharing them? Yeah, yeah. So my mine specifically has to do with DUPR, because like as a coach, I have my DUPR my duper's never been higher than a three eight. But I, contrary to like your thoughts on Duper, you're like, I really give a fuck. I was like a little bitch about it for a long time. Like I was like I only want to play these certain games, I wanna make sure it was I'm like trying to like fucking game the system. And like over the last like month I'm like, you know what? Whatever. It is the sc it it's my tournament it's a rating of my tournament performance.

samo mac: It is this it it's my tourni it's a rating of my tournament performance.

Sam Orlansky: like the hire of your main court and your

samo mac: you just gotta take the higher of your main court and your DUPR.

Sam Orlansky: Well, main court's self rated. Main court ratings versus dupers on the first episode. really? Yeah. The discussion broke into well main court's kind of more of a social a social score as well. well. Well I was like, Well, what if you're a fucking asshole and you're a five You're never going to five one. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No shit. You just gatekeep that that rating from you.

samo mac: Yeah, pass me that ball. But but anyway, the the goal being getting my DUPR up above four Which I think people talk about that number like it's

Sam Orlansky: so easy to do. Everyone's self rate's a four It's not.

samo mac: So say you're DUPR again?

Sam Orlansky: So say your DUPR again?

samo mac: right now my duper's like a three six. Yeah. Mine's age. My age. Mine's a three point mine's a three point nine nine six. Ooh. And I'm not even a coach. Ow Exactly. Exactly. So so Brit going back to the reason for it, like I at this point don't care as much because for me, I'd rather go in underrated to something. You have these like big pickleball pickle money ball and stuff, and I'd rather go win. be able to win money and like do stuff like that. But as a coach, that's credibility, right? Like you don't want to learn from something. Yeah. Exactly. But you can you can gain credibility in two seconds with no dupers and a perfect job. Exactly. Exactly. And a couple in a couple cool videos for sure. Right. Those help for sure. Sho Show me don't tell me. Show me don't tell me. Yeah, a hundred percent.

Sam Orlansky: be able to win money and like do stuff like that. But as a coach, that's credibility, right? Like you don't want to learn from something. Yeah. Exactly. But you can you can gain credibility in two seconds with no dupers and a perfect drop Exactly. Exactly. And a couple and a couple cool videos for sure. Right. Those help for sure. Show me don't tell me. Show me don't tell me. Yeah, yeah, a hundred percent. mean? What about you, Merv? Do you care about your DUPR? What's your goals for this year? I'd say just fitness wise. I'm working on bettering myself in a fitness level to where I could play better. I don't really care about my

samo mac: What about you, Merv? Do you care about your DUPR? What's your goals for this year? I'd say just fitness wise. I'm working on bettering myself in a fitness level to where I could play better. I don't really care about my DUPR I'll be at 3.5 forever if I have to.

Sam Orlansky: I'll be at three point five forever if I have to.

samo mac: that way I can play with different people, different levels, you know? That's kind of where I'm at too. Like I just I stopped focusing as much on my number and more about like what I can do.

Sam Orlansky: That way I can play with different people, different levels, you know? That's kinda where I'm at too. Like I just I stopped focusing as much on my number and more about like what I can do. And my main goal is just to play forever. So I'm also like

samo mac: my main goal is just to play forever. So I'm also like I've taken days off to work leg legs and do stretches, So I'm right there with ya.

Sam Orlansky: I wanna I wanna change change pages a little bit. part of the way that I've gotten to know you Merv is through social media and I've also gotten to you know you through social media as well.

samo mac: your personality shines, like I love the videos, I love the content, I feel like I know you guys really, really well. And I have something to admit. no. last episode I came out of the closet as an unc

Sam Orlansky: your personality shines. Like I love the videos. I love the content. I feel like I know you guys really, really well. And I have something to admit. no. last episode I came out of the closet as an unc. And what that means, so my daughters are teenagers. I'm I'm turning forty-seven, but I'm on on the closer side to fifty than I am to forty. And last week

samo mac: we had all my OG pickleheads in here. And we talked about what it means to be an unc. Right. And I talked about all the positives of being an unc one of the downsides of being an unc is the obvious stuff like technology

Sam Orlansky: me. And I talked about all the positives of being an unc. one of the downsides of being an unc is the obvious stuff, like technology. And phones and social media. And if you're listening to the podcast right now, or if you know me, you know that I feel very comfortable speaking my mind. In fact, I I my claim to fame is that my personality enters the door well before I do, and that I love to speak before I think. It's true. Yeah. All those things are true. Self-awareness is a bitch. but what that means for me.

samo mac: my claim to fame is that my personality enters the door well before I do and that I love to speak before I think. It's true. Yeah. All those things are true. Self-awareness is a bitch. but what that means for me outside of that is when it comes to the spoken word, emails, texts, et cetera, sitting down, thinking about what you have to say. Yeah. I got a little bit of jitters. Yeah. and one of my goals for this year

Sam Orlansky: outside of that is when it comes to the spoken word, emails, texts, etc., sitting down, thinking about what you have to say. Yeah. I got a little bit of jitters. Yeah. and one of my goals for this year

samo mac: Is to get comfortable being uncomfortable on the court, right? Yeah. Because we're all just trying to make each other look stupid. Yeah. Yeah. We're trying to put each other in uncomfortable positions.

Sam Orlansky: is to get comfortable being uncomfortable on the court, right? Yeah. Because we're all just trying to make each other look stupid. Yeah. Yeah. We're trying to put each other in uncomfortable positions.

samo mac: I want you to fall on your ass and I want to laugh at you. I want to peg you in the stomach and I want to laugh at you. You want to hit me and you want to laugh at me. but they're uncomfortable situations. And you looked at my profile. I ain't got shit on there. And the reason is I was trying to do some cyber stalking. You gave me nothing. I know. It's because I'm an unc. So like let's talk about like social media. How and I'm gonna start with you, Merv. How's like social media

Sam Orlansky: I ain't got shit on there. And the reason is I was trying to do some cyber stalking, you gave me nothing. I know. It's cause I'm an unc. So like let's talk about like social media. How and I'm gonna start with humor. How's like social media How's how social media helped your pickleball journey? How has it been incorporated into your pickleball journey? Is it just fun? No, it's like a huge part. me I'd say being ambassadors and doing all these things in the pickleball community. Like you need social media to do that. I know. social media is like the number one connec connector, you know? like not just in your community, even like

samo mac: Being ambassadors and doing all these things in the pickleball community, like you need social media to do that. I know. social media is like the number one connect connector, you know? like not just in your community, even like all over the world kind of thing, you know? Like there's a lot of pickleball accounts that will start following you and you get to make friends, like virtual friends.

Sam Orlansky: all over the world kind of thing, you know? Like there's a lot of pickleball accounts that will start following you and you get to make friends like virtual friends.

samo mac: Like pickleball friends, like Yeah, you're my own you're my only one. Actually one account. No, no, you well No now two. Okay. Yeah. No, I I mean l most of my virtual friends are real friends. Yeah. Yeah.

Sam Orlansky: Like pickleball friends like Yeah, you're my o you're my only one. Actually. Foll following one account. No, no, I you well No not two. Okay. Yeah. No, I I mean l most of my virtual friends are real friends. Yeah. Yeah.

samo mac: first. So if you don't mind saying what years did you guys graduate high school?

Sam Orlansky: first. So if you don't mind saying what years did you guys graduate high school? Tw

samo mac: Go ahead. Twenty thirteen. Twenty thirteen. Young boy. I didn't graduate high school. Well what year what year would you have graduated high school? I would have graduated in two thousand eight. Okay, young boy. So yeah, so you see how the social media miss misses people by that by a decade? Yeah.

Sam Orlansky: Go ahead. Twenty thirteen. Twenty thirteen. Young boy. I didn't graduate high school. What year w what year would you have graduated from? I would have graduated in two thousand eight. Okay, young boy. So yeah, so you see how the social media miss misses people by that by a decade? Yeah.

samo mac: Yeah. So I'm I'm a I'm lost in Gen X a little bit. So like I said, you know, I want I'm trying to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Yeah. So maybe you guys can help me a little bit. Absolutely. Maybe we'll do a post.

Sam Orlansky: Yeah, so I'm I'm a I'm lost in Gen X a little bit. So like I said, you know, I wanna I'm trying to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Yeah. So maybe you guys can help me a little bit. Absolutely. Maybe we'll do a post.

samo mac: Yeah, yeah. Maybe you'll help me craft my very first post after this episode. Let's do it. There's no shortage of ideas between Mervin and I. Just so you guys all know, I've changed my handle to at @mouthpiecesam About time. Yeah.

Sam Orlansky: Yeah, yeah. Maybe you'll help me craft my very first post. I got you. Let's do it. There's no shortage of ideas between Merv and I. Just so you guys all know, I've changed my handle to at mouthpiece Sam. About time. It it's more fitting. Well the brand my last one was fitting too was Rad Dad seventy nine. Okay. Okay. Yeah. Which is also my brand. Okay. Yeah. I like mouth piece Sam. Well it it fits if I mean I've been called that for the last three fucking years. Yeah. I mean, I instantly when Merv was talking to me about the the podcast, I remembered you instantly. We we played I don't think we played each other, but we were in the same division at Barnes for a mixed tournament when I played with Bernice.

samo mac: mouth piece Sam Well, it it fits if I mean I've been called that for the last three fucking years. Yeah. I mean, I instantly when Merv was talking to me about the the podcast, I remembered you instantly. We we played I don't think we played each other, but we were in the same division at Barnes for a mixed tournament. when I played with Bernice.

Sam Orlansky: and s as soon as you said, I was like, I know exactly who that fucking guy is. That's right. Let's see if I can get a sound for you. Yeah. You were having a grand old time at that tournament. We did really well. Yeah. we just t to you know, that's where I'm at in my four point journey. Yeah. Yeah. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

samo mac: You were having a grand old time at that tournament. We did really well. Yeah. we just t t you know, that's where I'm at in my 4.0 journey. Yeah. Yeah. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride. Merv, you said you had something else you wanted to add about social media? Yeah, so for social media part,

Sam Orlansky: Merv, you said you had something else you wanted to add about social media? Yeah, so for social media

samo mac: I wouldn't say that we post anything we want. I feel like it's all filtered like like a toxic relationship. You only post like the good stuff, you know what I mean? Like we're not gonna post

Sam Orlansky: I wouldn't say that we post anything we want. I feel like it's all filtered like like a toxic relationship. You only post like the good stuff, you know what I mean? Like we're not gonna post

samo mac: videos of us getting bagged, you know what I mean? That's not true. I've seen those. Yeah, I was gonna like by each other. Not like yeah. Yeah. But like we only post like the good parts of the tournament. You know what I mean? I've I know that. It's high what are we always I was I was telling You and you and everybody reels. Nobody has to know we we got pickled. You know what

Sam Orlansky: videos of us getting bagged, you what I That's not true. I've seen those. Yeah, I was gonna like by each other. Not like By each yeah. Yeah. But like we only post like the good parts of the tournament. You know what I mean? I've I know it's but we always I was I was telling You and everybody. Yeah. Somebody has to know we we got pickled, you know.

samo mac: I mean? Yeah, every time someone posts a game they're like, hey, like we recorded the games, they're up on YouTube. I'm like, all right, time to go clip farming. Yeah. So is it does it take you a long time to do the social media? 'Cause to me it looks

Sam Orlansky: I mean every time someone posts a game they're like, Hey, like we recorded the games are up on YouTube. I'm like, All right, time to go clip farming. Yeah. So is does it take you a long time to do the social media? 'Cause to me it looks

samo mac: To me anything dealing with the screen seems like so time comprehensive. it depends. Just because if you're like clip farming, right? Was that you have watch a whole video. Like you're sh you're gonna screen record a video just to be like highlight highlight hunting. You're watching a whole game. Yeah, we do that. I I I we

Sam Orlansky: to me anything dealing with a screen seems like so time comprehensive. it depends. Just 'cause if you're like clip farming, right? What is that? You have to watch the whole video. Like you're sh you're gonna screen record a video. Yeah. Like a highlight highlight hunting. You're watching a whole game. Yeah, we do that. I I we

samo mac: Shred. Yeah. I'm always trying to clip my earnies and stuff. Yeah, yeah, exactly. And I I think like for me. But I only post them to myself just so I can watch late at night to myself. Dude, there is no one

Sam Orlansky: Yeah. I'm always trying to clip my earnies and stuff. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. And I I think like for me I only post them to myself just so I can watch them late at night to myself. Dude, there is no one

samo mac: Who watches my story on Instagram more than me? Like there's no like I sometimes I open it up before it's even finished posting. Like it gets interrupted by the fact that it's telling me that it's done posting. And I'm like, let's see what the GOAT said now.

Sam Orlansky: who watches my story on Instagram more than me. Like there's no like I sometimes I open it up before it's even finished posting. Like it gets interrupted by the fact that it's telling me that it's done posting when I'm like, let's see what the ghost said now. thing, it plays such a key role in today's age. especially like for somebody like this guy.

samo mac: it plays such a key role in today's age. especially like for somebody like this guy, he's a Selkirk influencer, right? So if he's never done social media

Sam Orlansky: He's a Selkirk influencer, right? So if he's never done social media,

samo mac: He would have never been affiliated with Selkirk at all.

Sam Orlansky: he would have never been affiliated with Selkirk at all.

samo mac: What makes you a Selkirk influencer? So they have two I think they have like basically like two main programs or three actually. So Selkirk has Can you tell Selkirk right now to follow my podcast? I will, Selkirk. Tune in. Anyone associated with Selkirk, follow the podcast for sure.

Sam Orlansky: What makes you a Selkirk influencer? So they have two I think they have like basically like two main programs or three actually. So Selkirk has Can you tell Selkirk right now to follow my podcast? I will. Selkirk. Tune in anyone associated with Selkirk, follow the podcast for sure.

samo mac: I actually made a post because I did the advocacy program because I wanted to work with them so bad. And basically as long as I had my coaching certification, I could apply and get approved.

Sam Orlansky: I actually made a post because I did the advocacy program because I wanted to work with them so bad. And basically as long as I have my coaching certification, I could apply and get approved.

samo mac: I made a post when they chose not to renew my contract because I my only contract requirement was to do like six throughout the course of a year six table demo days. And I did none. And I was just like, I I was like, they probably don't really mean that. And then it came time to renew the contract and I no one reached out to me before. They just I got an email that says, Hey, at this time we're choosing not to renew. So I was like, What the fuck, man? I you didn't even tell me I didn't do my stuff, like nothing. And so I made a post about it.

Sam Orlansky: I made a post when they chose not to renew my contract because I my only contract requirement was to do like six throughout the course of the year six table demo days. And I did none. And I was just like I I was like, they probably don't really mean that. And then it came time to renew the contract and I'd no one had reached out to before. They just I got an email that says, Hey, at this time we're choosing not to renew. So I was like, What the fuck, man? I you didn't even tell me I didn't do my stuff, like nothing. And so I made a post about it.

samo mac: And that was, I think, when like my social media kind of started to take off a little bit more is I did like a thank you Selkirk post and like was just kind of like satirically talking shit and saying that I was gonna like sell all my stuff and like that I'm a free agent.

Sam Orlansky: And that was, I think, when like my social media kind of started to take off a little bit more, is I did like a thank you, Selkirk post and like was just kind of like satirically talking shit and saying that I was gonna like sell all my stuff and like that I'm a free agent. Their head their head of of social media reach out to me, she sends me an email, she says, Hey, saw your post, hilarious, and wanted to s say sorry about your experience on the advocacy team. Would you like to be an influencer?

samo mac: Their head their head of of social media reach out to me. She sends me an email, she says, Hey, saw your post, hilarious, and wanted to say sorry about your experience on the advocacy team. Would you like to be an influencer? And I was like, hell yeah, because I had applied before the advocate thing was ever on my radar, I'd applied to be an influencer with Selkirk three times and just got auto denials each time. Were you already deep in social media before pickleball?

Sam Orlansky: And I was like, Hell yeah, 'cause I had applied before the advocate thing was ever on my radar, I applied to be an influencer with Selkirk three times and just got auto denials each time. Were you already deep in social media before Pickleball? like I yeah, I had I had not much of a following, but I I've never been a stranger of like putting my life out there. I don't give a shit. Like I'm like follow me, don't follow me, whatever.

samo mac: yeah, I had I had not much of a following, but I I've never been a stranger of just like putting my life out there. I don't give a shit. Like I'm like follow me, don't follow me, whatever. And so it was kind of cool that the Selkirk thing came full circle because I'd wanted to work with them,

Sam Orlansky: And so it was kind of cool that the Selkirk thing came full circle because I wanted to work with them, didn't have enough followers, didn't have anything, and then I ended up getting asked to, which was super cool. And it like, I'm nobody, but like it was still a nice feeling.

samo mac: didn't have enough followers, didn't have anything, and then I ended up getting asked to, which was super cool. And it was like, I'm nobody, but like it was still a nice feeling. Is

Sam Orlansky: Alright, so that being said

samo mac: so that being said Let's continue this conversation after the pod. Unc needs help with Insta. All

Sam Orlansky: Let's continue this conversation after the pod. Unk needs help with Insta. Alright. do you want us

samo mac: So you guys like you guys you guys

Sam Orlansky: So you guys like you guys you guys

samo mac: guys breathe a lot of confidence. And I see that on your posts and I've seen that like on how you guys move. Like you said, you saw me in a tournament, I saw you in the tournament. What's the difference between

Sam Orlansky: You guys breathe a lot of confidence. And I see that on your posts and I've seen that like on how you guys move. Like you said, you saw me in the turning out, I saw you in the turn at the same time. What's the difference between

samo mac: confidence and arrogance.

Sam Orlansky: confidence and arrogance?

samo mac: Confidence is like has to do more with your personality and how you represent yourself, I'd say. Mm-hmm. arrogance is kinda like being a prick about everything, you know? Or like like you always wanna look good kind of thing, but for us we're just goofy. We're really goofy. Like we wanna look stupid, we wanna be funny, we wanna

Sam Orlansky: Confidence is like has to do more with your personality and how you represent yourself, I'd say. Mm-hmm. arrogant just is kinda like being a prick about everything, yeah? Or like like you always wanna look good kind of thing, but for us we're just goofy. We're really goofy. Like we wanna look stupid, we wanna be funny, we wanna

samo mac: Like

Sam Orlansky: like

samo mac: that's just how we represent ourselves. Has anyone ever told you that you're arrogant? No. And fuck them. I mean they won't say it to our faces, you know what I mean? Do you think do you think confidence can intimidate people on the other side of the net?

Sam Orlansky: That's just how we represent ourselves. Has anyone ever told you that you're arrogant? No. Then fuck them. I mean they won't say it to our faces. Yeah. Do you think do you think confidence can intimidate people on the other side of the net?

samo mac: I I absolutely, yeah. If somebody if you if you're like trying your hardest and somebody looks like they're just chilling and they're relaxed, you're like,

Sam Orlansky: I I absolutely, yeah. If somebody if you're if you're like trying your hardest and somebody looks like they're just chilling and they're relaxing.

samo mac: damn, like why am I trying so hard and they're not even trying? You know what I mean? Like it it it gets in your head. Do you think that you have become more of a confident person because of pickleball at all? Yeah, I'd say so. Because the more I'm confident with pickleball.

Sam Orlansky: w why am I trying so hard and they're not even trying, you know what I mean? Like i i it gets in your head. Do you think that you have become more of a confident person because of pickleball at all? Yeah, I'd say so. Because the more I'm confident with pickleball,

samo mac: The more I'm confident more in life, just because pickleball is my life now. Yeah, I mean like it's like it like fused with my DNA. Like everybody who knows me knows I play I I all I do is play pickleball.

Sam Orlansky: the more I'm confident more in life, just 'cause pickleball is my life now, you know what mean? Like it's like it like fuses with my DNA. Like everybody who knows me knows I play I I all I do is play pickleball.

samo mac: I think it does. I mean you win a gold medal and you're feeling it till like Tuesday or Wednesday, right? It gives it gives you a high. It does. Like it does. Like no other.

Sam Orlansky: I think it does. I mean you win a gold medal and you're feeling it till like Tuesday or Wednesday, right? It gives it gives you a high. it does. Like it does. Like no other. again.

samo mac: what makes someone magnetic? What makes you gravitate towards someone? Somebody who's smiling and laughing, I'd say. Cause if they're like serious, it's like, I don't want to play with you, man. somebody who's laughing, like somebody who if somebody if I say something stupid and somebody giggles or laughs

Sam Orlansky: What makes someone magnetic? What makes you gravitate towards someone? Somebody who's smiling and laughing, I'd say. 'Cause if they're like serious, it's like I don't wanna play with you, man. somebody who's laughing, like somebody who if somebody if I say something stupid and somebody giggles or laughs,

samo mac: That's like my green light. I'm just gonna ape shit on them, you know what I mean? Yeah. We should partner. We should partner sometime. And if somebody gets mad, we we we we

Sam Orlansky: that's like my green light. I'm just gonna ape shit on them, you know what I mean? Yeah. We should target non stop. We should park and if somebody gets mad, we we we We we take it down, but we find more ways to make it mad. No, if somebody gets mad you lob them. You lob them. When in doubt, lob it out.

samo mac: we take it down, but we find more ways to make it mad. No, if somebody gets mad, you lob them. You lob them. When in doubt, lob it out. Yeah. Yeah, I I agree. are you familiar with the tr y the term RBF?

Sam Orlansky: Yeah. Yeah, I I agree. are you familiar with the t yeah the term RBF?

samo mac: Resting bitch face? Yeah, that's what I it dries it drives me nuts when people have RBF in pickleball. It's like you are doing the funnest thing you could possibly be doing right now. Maybe that's just what you look like when you focus, but it's an ugly focus face. Like just give me a little smirk, a little smile, a nod or something.

Sam Orlansky: Resting bitch face? Yeah, that's yeah. It dri it drives me nuts when people have RBF in pickleball. It's like you are doing the funnest thing you could possibly be doing right now. Maybe that's just what you look like when you focus, but it's an ugly focus face. Like just give me a little smirk, a little smile, a nod or something.

samo mac: But you know, that's the thing about pickleball is that the truth of the matter

Sam Orlansky: But you know, that's the thing about pickleball is that the truth of the matter

samo mac: is it's like life. Everybody is really, really different. Right? What

Sam Orlansky: is it's like life. Everybody is really, really different. Right? What makes me smile, what makes me happy, what makes me giggle, could be something totally different than the other player down the way. And I I've seen that in s in so many situations where I've actually misjudged somebody. yeah. Misjudged their demeanor, misjudged their face, or misjudged, you know, what's going on with their life. but we first impressions do matter. and, you know,

samo mac: makes me smile, what makes me happy, and what makes me giggle could be something totally different than the other player down the way. And I I've seen that in s in so many situations where I've actually misjudged somebody. yeah. Misjudged their demeanor, misjudged their face, or misjudged, you know, what's going on with their life. but we first impressions do matter. and, you know, I think we all agree that they kind of make a difference on the court to s to some extent, right? Yeah, definitely.

Sam Orlansky: I think we all agree that they kinda make a difference on the court to s to some extent, right? Yeah, definitely.

samo mac: I wanna I wanna dive deeper into social warfare because it's like one of my favorite topics. It's not about being mean, it's not about busting chops, it's inside jokes, it's playful trash talk and the mind games that happen between friends. Where's the line between funny and disrespectful? There isn't one. I think it's in pickleball, it's real blurry.

Sam Orlansky: I wanna I wanna dive deeper into social warfare because it's like one of my favorite topics. It's not about being mean, it's not about busting chops, it's inside jokes, it's playful trash talk and the mind games that happen between friends. Where's the line between funny and disrespectful? There isn't one. I think it's in pickleball it's real blurry. Yeah. and depends on who you're playing with. So

samo mac: Yeah. and depends on who you're playing with. So I I like to have good energy. I like to have fun on the court. Depending on who I'm playing with and the level of play, that decision is made separately from my attitude, right? Like how I'm gonna play. Like I could be in play, like Merv and I are notorious for like pretty much playing our fucking worst when we're on the same side of our c of the court because we fuck around too much. Like I'm doing fucking tweener dinks for no reason. Like, you know what I mean? Like and it's just dumb shit like that.

Sam Orlansky: I I like to have good energy. I like to have fun on the court. Depending on who I'm playing with and the level of play, that decision is made separately from my attitude, right? Like how I'm gonna play. Like I could be in play, like Merv and I are notorious for like pretty much playing our fucking worst when we're on the same side of our c of the court because we fuck around too much. Like I'm doing fucking tweener dinks for no reason. Like, you know what I mean? Like and it's just dumb shit like that.

samo mac: So like the level of my play

Sam Orlansky: So like the level of my play.

samo mac: is definitely determined on like, you know, kind of the my surroundings, who I'm playing, that kind of thing. But like my attitude I try to make my priority is always being fun to play with, no matter what. I want people to walk away, even if they're in so much better than me, and they're like, Man, Jimmy can barely hang, but he was fun to play with. Yeah, I feel that way too. Can you keep your focus when you're fucking off? It it goes Yeah. It's like comes and goes for sure.

Sam Orlansky: is definitely determined on like, you know, kind of the my surroundings, who I'm playing, that kind of thing. But like my attitude I try to make my priority is always being fun to play with. No matter what. I won't be able to walk away even if they're in so much better than me and they're like, man, Jimmy could barely hang, but he was fun to play with. Yeah, I feel that way too. Can you keep your focus when you're fucking off? It it goes Yeah, it's like comes and goes for sure.

samo mac: what's the funniest trash talk that you've ever heard? Either of you. Well start with Merv start with

Sam Orlansky: what's the funniest trash talk that you've ever heard? Either of you? Well start with Merv start with

samo mac: You know it's my favorite of the trash talk that you do. I have

Sam Orlansky: You know it's my favorite of the trash talk that you do. I have

samo mac: I have like my own set of like things to say when I do things. You know what I mean? Yeah, you too. Every every serve I do that get gets an ace or the opponent can't take.

Sam Orlansky: I have like my own set of like things to say when I do things. You know what I mean? Yeah, like every every serve I do that get gets an ace or the opponent can't take.

samo mac: I'm I'll just talk to myself like damn I'm sick. you know what I like to do? I like to go, he swallowed it. Jesus Christ. Yeah. I feel like stay doing that like hype yourself up.

Sam Orlansky: I'm I'll just talk to myself like damn I'm sick. You know what I like to do? I like to go He swallowed it Jesus Christ I feel like sta doing that like hyped yourself up

samo mac: You know what I mean? Definitely. we gotta play together. Huge. Yeah. I like my my favorite of yours, the one I was talking about, was so if if Merv

Sam Orlansky: You know what mean? Definitely. we've got to play together. Huge. Yeah. I like my my favorite of yours, the one I was talking about was so if if Merv

samo mac: Burns someone, right? Like if someone is he catches them leaning a little too far in, maybe someone's trying to poach and he just puts it behind him. My favorite piece of trash talk ever is him yelling out, Nobody home. It's like there's nothing better. Like you can you can knock on your paddle at the same time, like knock knock. I like to do that. Knock knock.

Sam Orlansky: burns someone, right? Like if someone if he catches them leaning a little too far in, maybe someone's trying to poach and he just puts it behind him. My favorite piece of trash talk ever is him yelling out, Nobody home It's like there's nothing better. Like you can you can knock on your paddle at the same time like knock knock I like to do that. Knock knock

samo mac: When he when Merv says no one ho nobody's home, I'm just like

Sam Orlansky: When he when Burb says no one ho nobody's home, I'm just like

samo mac: I can get really annoying too. Like if I do a really good backspin return, I'll tell them good luck in the middle of me hitting it. I like that too. It's like it's like a borderline hindrance for sure. this is a good one for

Sam Orlansky: Jesus Christ. I can get really annoying too, like if I do a really good backspin return. I'll tell him good luck in the middle of me hitting it. I like that too. It's like it's like a borderline hindrance for sure. this is a good one.

samo mac: this. Have you ever been called for a hindrance in competitive? I had a close i a close friend like

Sam Orlansky: Have you ever been called for a hindrance in competitive? I had a close i a close friend like

samo mac: pretty like crash out pretty hard, like I'm gonna call that next time if you fucking do that type shit. And that was and he's like my boy, one of the nicest people I've ever met. How did you react to that? I I'm the king of like playing it off like hey bro like I'm just fucking around like a no big deal. Like I'm the first all nasty Nelson smile and joke with you. Like I don't care. I love you. Yeah exactly. Like I Because here's the thing.

Sam Orlansky: pretty like crash out pretty hard. Like, I'm gonna call that next time if you fucking do that type shit. And that was and he's like my boy, one of the nicest people I've ever met. How did you react to that? I I'm the king of like playing it off, like, hey bro, like I'm just fucking around, like the no big deal. Like I'm the first all nasty now since smile and jerk with you, like I don't care. Yeah, exactly. Like I Because here's the thing.

samo mac: Everyone everyone looks at me and expects me to be the hothead.

Sam Orlansky: Everyone everyone looks at me and expects me to be the hot head.

samo mac: Right. They look at me and they're say that say that again in an evil voice. Everyone looks at me and expects me to be the hothead. Your blood. Your blood is irresistible. That's ridiculous. So I'm I feel like I constantly like try to battle like a priority in the back of my mind is like don't feed into the stereotype.

Sam Orlansky: Right? They look at me and say that say that again in an evil voice. Everyone looks at me and expects me to be the hot head. That's ridiculous. So I I feel like I constantly like try to battle like a priority in the back of my mind is like don't feed into the stereotype.

samo mac: Like, don't

Sam Orlansky: Like Don't be the Royd Ridge guy. Like I I'm never gonna be the one to like crash

samo mac: be the roid rage guy. Like, I'd I'm never gonna be the one to like crash out

Sam Orlansky: out super hard.

samo mac: super hard or get into a fight or anything because I'm like, absolutely the fuck not. Like, I won't let that be me. I it's similar to what I tell myself. Yeah. It's n it's more of like I don't want to get sucked into other people's negativity. Exactly. Like you saw did you guys without the roid stuff? Yeah, yeah. right, so speaking of Royd Rage, right? I hate you so much. Last weekend, somebody got a red card. On a timeout, right? On a timeout. Yeah. somebody just was just throwing F bombs in the middle of a timeout 'cause they missed their shot. Who wasn't? That somebody was me, for sure. I think what did I do? I think I missed like a a two we down the line or something. Yeah, like it wasn't even that bad. Was it? And yeah, no, yeah. So we had can you think can y do me a favor. Your s close your eyes and put yourself back in the moment and try to tell me exactly what you said. I got you. Fuck. that's exactly what I said. Just one fuck. among I think other accompanying fucks. but I like missed a we were on a a tear. Like we were on a run. We had I think we were like kinda stalemated at like s like six eight, seven eight, eight A and like we started to go on a run and we were up like it was a game to fifteen. We were up like twelve, I think, twelve or thirteen and they called a timeout and I had just missed a shot. Exactly. Tensions were high. I was cursing up a storm and it was against the owner of the hub. Wait, hold on a second. Place your bets, please. Exactly. Place your bets. And he's like four or five, right? Uh-huh. So he was like mentally like locked in, but He just snaps, right? And the ref comes up to me in the timeout. Because it's their timeout. We were like, we don't want to timeout. They were trying to stop our momentum. And he's just like, Hey, I'm not gonna say anything or do like anything official, but like place your best, please. You just gotta watch the F bombs. And I'm like thinking, like, dude, He's just doing his job. Exactly, but I was just like the stakes are have never been lower. Not for wait, wait, wait, not for you. Right, right. Not for you in that moment. Right. Because I was playing the owner and I did put away a ball against him and I said, This is my house. Cool man. Dude, that that's so he was he was like his partner was on the verge of a crash out. It was it was glorious. I love this story. I love crash outs too. One time I was playing with this guy named Jimmy, right? he got bagged three times, right? 'Cause when you play against like lower levels. Uh-huh. It's just chaos. It's you don't know what's coming. Honestly, that's how I felt in the tournament that I played against you guys. Because I I felt like I was just dodging for my life. you know what I mean? You think you think you're hot shit when you're four going to play three, three and a half. You could still get your fucking ass kicked if you don't have your paddle up or your knees bent. You know what mean? I almost swallowed a few of those balls. And it would have not felt good. Okay, let me ask you let me ask you something. Ha has there ever been a time when someone's just gotten the best of you you and you've totally crashed out? Yeah. Well yeah. So what what what I was trying to say when I was telling you that somebody got bagged three times, right? This guy next to me? That was me. He got back through. What, like a year ago? Yeah. Yeah. 'Cause he couldn't like There's no rhythm in the game. You how you you're dinking, there's rhythm in four higher levels. Yeah. This one they're just hitting balls like crazy. Yeah. He got bagged three times, right? The third one? The third one was for the game and he got hit in the nipple, right? So this guy, he was gonna you know how when you when you when you lose you're gonna pretend to like throw your paddle but you're not actually gonna throw it? So he Yeah, I like wow I went to like Gronk Spike my paddle. Yeah I was just like I was pissed because I'd lo I just got bagged for game point. And I go and I'm like in full backswing and it looks like I'm winding up. Did you do it? He threw it in the net. You did? Yeah. But the guy on the other side was just like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. So yeah, so we're facing this guy. And so I I I do it like I don't even go like full throat. Like it kinda like slips out of my hand, whatever. I'm just like pissed about it. But I am face to face with my opponent. I scared the shit out of him. Like he fully winced Pucked like standing fetal position, thought I was gonna hit him. Do you think were there a lot people watching? And I was no, not at all. No? Good. And it was so and me and then immediately like my mood changed because I was like, I was like, I was like, dude, dude, dude. I'm so sorry. Like, I am not I'm not gonna fight you, dude. Like, I'm at it myself. It's like with me when I used to get in trouble as a kid, and all like, I'm so sorry, man. Like Yeah. So But he like there was fear of God in his eyes, and I was just like. Yeah, the guy was just scared. I forget how I look sometimes on the court. That was that was my next question. Have you ever been judged or underestimated because of something you wore or the way you looked? Absolutely. Which way? Misjudged? Misjudged for sure. how so? 'Cause I'm a big guy. You know what I mean? A lot of people are like, damn, you can move for a big guy. why do I get that a lot? Cause you can. Yeah. You glide out there, dude. That's another That's another thing they say to big guys. you move like you're on skates, baby. Yeah. Yeah, exactly. See, and I get the it's it's funny, like I get misjudged all the time. I kind of pride myself in being kind of like a walking contradiction. Like you see me, I am in shape, I'm covered in tats, and a lot of people it's funny because like right away, it's an advantage for me because I don't see a lot of balls for with when I am in a in a game, they'll target my partner almost immediately, if especially if I start on the left. But like and now it's a lot more I I can play both roles. A year ago though, when I'm playing with my partner, it was hilarious because I'm the I'm the worst player in between the two of us. And so I'm not seeing any balls. They're feeding it to my partner and he's just tearing them apart. And you're like, what the hell? And then and then they figure it out, they're just like, fuck it, hit it to the big guy. And they figured out that I wasn't that good. And then the next thing you know, I'm seeing fucking every ball. And I'm getting targeted. but that was like I remember that situation, Javi and I were in plenty of tournaments where that happened. But holy shit, that turned my game around because I was like, there are things that I need to be ready for. And there is there is shots that I need to get better. Alert. You need to be alert. Yeah, yeah. And just simple things as as far as like being in a good ready position, stuff like that, where I was like, Then it made more sense. Now, you know, when I saw I could actually contribute to that partnership in a meaningful way. A water fountain. that's so funny. But even like Merv said, like when we met, like people give me like they see me initially and they're just like Is this douchebag? Which I'm I like that. I identify with that quite a bit. I am abundantly aware of, you know how I might be perceived. And I've got a good I've got a whole script for it. Especially when I play with ladies who are like, I'm not that good. I go, Okay, come here. Come here. I've got a really good strategy for us that's gonna make you shine. And she's like, What's that? I'm like, I want you to hit every ball in the net. I want you to hit every ball over the fence. I don't give a fuck. Smile the whole way and let's have a great time. And they go, that's so nice. I like that. And it it's it's I I just try It's very disarming. Yeah, that's that's exactly the purpose of it. Because I'm sitting there with fucking kitchen blockers on and a mouthpiece. Right. Right. You know what I mean? Yeah, there's there's never a court you show up to where they're they don't think you mean business with the mouthpiece. For sure. Like there's Not a soul. Yeah, it's 'cause I mean fucking business. Yeah. So one of the unique things about pickleball, for most of us, we're playing in doubles, means we're squaring up with another person. we're working together, we're we're really activating that special bond. Yeah. What makes you trust a partner instantly? For me, it's like the the energy. A lot of times, like you could tell within the first like, I don't know, 30 seconds of stepping on the court with someone, like what their energy is. If they even come and greet you, if they introduce themselves, like I think the people that I've stepped on with and have played, like gotten a great vibe from, are just doing like the basic things that are easy to skip. If you play a lot of pickleball, you can step on, paddle tap, don't even ask a name, just kind of get to your spot. That's a lot different than someone who is actually asking your name. Hey, do you is there a side you prefer? Right? Like how do you welcome them into that situation? I think tells a lot about if it's gonna be a good vibe or not. Merv, does does chemistry matter more than skill? I believe so. Because pickleball is like pickleball is a sport where you can be way better than your opponent and you can still shoot shoot yourself in the foot. You know what I mean? You can have the two best people playing, but if there's no chemistry, they're gonna lose against two beginners who are like locked in and just Play as one. You know what I mean? Honestly, this is my favorite part of pickleball is like the chemistry and the camaraderie that you can build in such a fast way with one another. I mean, me and my cousin, he's he's one of my main partners. I mean, we're already so close, we're already best friends. Now that we started playing pickleball, it's like gone to even another. It's it's a it's the secret sauce. It's the superpower. Like on court chemistry for sure. So if you have a friend to play with, I think we could probably unpack this later, but I think the the other side to that coin is like couples who play mixed together. that's another that's another episode. But that's for a different time. Yeah. But but I s I I I stand behind chemistry being more important, specific to my own situation because Like I said before, like I pride myself on being a good partner, on being an encouraging. Like some one of the things I say all the time is like, let's focus on the next one. Like get the next one, no big deal, like whatever. Like I'm always like I say NPM next point mentality. I like that. NPM next point and I always say zero zero, but fuck and it fucks people up. But I like I said, I think the Being a good partner, focus on being the partner you would want to be with. Like that's so cliche. Absolutely. But like focusing on like being that positive has personally allowed me there is not a single partnership that I've had that I'm not the worst of the two players. Like I it has allowed me to play with players that are so much better than me. All of my partners are better. So they're pretty gracious. So I'm grateful they're playing with you. That's part of it. But they like my presence on the court enough to agree to a tournament is a big deal in my opinion. You know what I mean? Like it's it's an investment. It costs money. Exactly. Exactly. And so I'm I'm always of the opinion of like be a great partner to play with. You could fill in the gaps. You can figure out how to make your two styles of play work together, all that stuff. But it has allowed me to like I'm playing this month three tournaments with three different partners. that are all better than me. How do you do that? Like I can only handle like I I t I typically play tournaments in streaks. Yeah. There'll be like two or three over a course of a time. And then afterwards I have to take like two months off. Yeah, I think I think it's probably gonna be like that. I'll probably take a small break. But there's just I lined up a couple because of the goal of DUPR I'm like, let's do three kind of back to back to back. We'll get some honest feedback of some of Well there's not that many DUPR tourn tournaments either. Exactly. And they're all and it is summertime. So I was trying to take advantage of it and then drawing board. Okay, what do we what do I really need to improve on to make sure that you record tournament? yeah. Not just for content. No. So I just started using P B vision, the AI software, and I uploaded one game and it said I was a four two, and then I'm scared to upload anything else. All right. Quick hands, Merv. This is a two-word answer. And you have to answer fast. Okay. Who's your favorite partner? Put him on the spot. You don't have to answer that. Jesus Christ. Okay, okay, okay. Good answer. Applause for Jesus. Sounds funny coming from me. Sam Orlansky. You guys you guys are both active at the hub. I know that you guys both work there. So you guys have some really cool insights on what makes clubs feel welcoming. Merv, speak a little bit on that. What makes a club feel welcoming? I'd say people who are open. there's a lot of people who are very welcoming. Like, you need a partner versus like walking into somewhere by yourself and feeling like you can't play anywhere. at the hub you can just kinda like paddle down anywhere and anybody will kind of play with you. that's kind of the best thing to look what are you what are some of the things that you like to do to be inclusive when you see new people? introduce myself and I'm always like, Do you have a side preference? Or like kind of just go off of their playstyle, you know what I mean? And like if they mess up, I'll just be like, that was close or whatever. Kind of just like kind of have that support kind of thing. So basically you just be yourself. Yeah. I mean that's the answer to everything, right? Yeah. Like the last thing I want to do is like Be that be overcoaching somebody like, No, like this is what you need to do. So speaking of that, is there like one or two unwritten rules that every like rec pickleball player should know? I th I think if you're a beginner, there's nothing wrong with going and trying your hand at a higher court. It is if there's other lower courts available and you continue to get back in the mix and just get pickled like over and over. Like that's not getting you better, anything like that. So but there is nothing wrong with the pressure test. I encourage it. Like go and try your hand and see. But like if you still camp out there, like now you're kind of disrupting the flow a little bit, right? Yeah. Know your know your place. Yeah, exactly. A little bit. Just have just read the room a little bit, right? Like and I think that there's nothing wrong with that. I say that because of experience too. Like I was nervous to try to go and step and kind of get to that next level, go to that next court. and there was people like, no, come come play a game. Like no big deal. Like pickleball humbled me in a big way. Like I was I have no racket sports background. I'll be the first to admit, even though I'm playing my t my tournaments that I'm playing this month are four or five men's doubles tournaments, right? Like if you look at my mechanics, I still hit shots super fucking awkward a lot. Like I still like there is a lot to be unpacked. If you look at me and you'd be like, Really? Like he competes in four or five? I Well anybody can register. I've played four or five. I was just gonna say I was like I was like maybe I should maybe wanted that. We we've played four or five a few times just to see what it looks like. You you don't know what you should well, you don't know what you don't know. Yeah. And s and so like I I think part of that is like I just didn't have any I didn't I wasn't good at ping pong or tennis or any of that shit. Like I have a video of me and it it actually is funny because it made me not want to record any of my pickleball journey for like a whole year. Because I had a video, I shut up a tripod, I brought it to the court one day. Cause I was already recording myself in the gym. I was like, fuck it. Pickleball seems fun. I'm hitting the the ball against a a fucking tennis wall at a park. And I looked at it and I was like, dude, I look like I've never played a sport ever. Like, it is so bad. What is your your sports background? So I excel back in the day when I was like a kid, kid, I loved basketball. but I got cut from the team my sophomore year in high school and figured out that I was really good at running in circles. So the stuff that I excelled at, I was a in high school, I was like a a track in cross country. Is there any trans is there any translate to pickleball? No. As a matter of fact, once I started playing pickleball, injuries started to spring up right away 'cause I'd never moved side to side. Yeah, I was feeling running yeah, running running does not translate. I mean, maybe your lungs and endurance, but like I didn't have that either. I still don't have that. The actual mechanics, it's been awesome for like self education and then like in the midst of becoming a certified pickleball coach and coaching at the hub. I also got my personal training certification just to understand and be able to articulate a little bit better concepts that I was pr already pretty familiar with. But I didn't go like a long streak without being injured until I really understood how to train lateral movement, how to involve you know, rotational exercises and what I was doing. I trained like a bodybuilder for a long time. It doesn't fucking translate at all. Like it's it's I I was hurt constantly. My knees are fucked. My ankles are fucked, like all the time. And so that was definitely a rabbit hole I had to go down just for long basics. I got these chicken legs, you know what I mean? Yeah. And I just c I couldn't can't even I c I have a l my squat was weak. Yeah. Yeah. And so I I was just getting killed on every backhand dink. yeah. think to Sam's backhand. Yeah. Yeah. I 'cause this has been an awesome conversation. before we wrap up the conversation, who are the people in your pickleball community that make it so special to you? I'd say my pickleball group, which includes this guy over here. we have like I made this group chat. called so SoCal Pearls. It's not it doesn't mean anything anymore. It meant something at some point. see I can have bit something at some point. Go ahead. So we we played an MLP format in Fallbrook and we made it all the way to finals, right? it was a four man team. And then Who's on that team? Me, Dylan, Andrew, the one who beat you at that Huntington Right. I don't remember him. This guy, right? So we would switch off like every five points and stuff like that. And we made it all the way to finals. And then it it was first of twenty-one. you only went on your serve. And it was twenty twenty, right? it was our it was our ball, right? This guy serves the ball and it hits it out, right? You hit it out? Next thing you know, the other team serves the ball and it hits it in the net. Yeah. my god! I forgot about it. Thank you so much for that reminder. And you still you still play pickleball? Yeah. yeah. How was that drive home too? It was like an hour. it was the longest drive of my life. I was like, dude. In my group, in my group silver medals are the worst in pickleball. You go out you go out on an L is the fucking worst. I played I played in Fallbrook with my boy Steven, and it was to fifteen. We were in the finals. We were up twelve to three. And that's when my whole body got paralyzed with cramps. no. And we lost fifteen thirteen. No way. boy. That's nuts. Okay. Yours is worse. Yeah. I have some pretty historic L's. Who are the special people in your pickleball community you want to mention? I mean, honestly, a lot of my tournament partners, Merv and I always have fun. Obviously that's why we're here together. but You know, shout out to Javi. always kind of brings the competitive fire. I actually don't know anyone who plays more competitive adult sports than him. He's in pickleball, fucking kickball, softball, travels for all of them. Like it's wild. but I will say, going back to like favorite players to play with, my buddy Aiden has like the best energy on the court. And we could be playing like five O's and we know they're insanely better than us. And there is something that he says that always kind of gets me a little fired up and gets me like, all right, all right, yeah, let's do this. And he'll like turn to and he'll be like, hey, Jimmy, why not us? Why not us? And I'm like, it's just like burning like so, and I tell it to him now too. I'm like, hey, why not us, dude? I like that. And it is such like this is like the the small little thing that he says, but like makes him a a phenomenal partner. But absolutely. Yeah, Aiden is great. Andrew Avila, we're playing a tournament together, Art and Light. actually is playing on a he plays UPL and played for SDSU and I convinced him to play a tournament with me this month so so yeah like a the all all the guys, you know, kind of that same group, but everyone at the hub, it just it's a phenomenal group. We've all made sure that we rise together, which is really cool. No one it's I I've seen so many pickleball groups where like one person starts to excel and we'll end up finding a new group. We're kind of doing that and Even though you will seek outside sources or other ways to train and play and and for, you know, different just to switch it up. but it's been cool to see kind of the core group stay the same and everyone continue to kind of elevate their game together. It just doesn't happen a lot in pickleball 'cause it's statistically unlikely. Right. And it's competitive. Like there's people in groups who compete with each other. And that's when it gets nasty, you know what I mean? Yeah. And so yeah, I I I really, really enjoy the group. The You know, the hub for me, I moved to I moved back to San Diego like two years ago. It was the first place that I went to play pickleball. and didn't know anybody, met Merv shortly thereafter. now I I work there, I coach there. I'm there five plus days a week. I've run tournaments there. Like my core friends are all from there. Like We're going like Saturday, we're going to my buddy's housewarming party, who I would not know if we didn't play pickleball. So You know who else needs to come down there? Northeast San Diego. Facts. When's this MLP shit happening? Yeah. I could be down All right, guys, this has been tons of fun. Before we jump out of here, you got any final thoughts? Jimmy, go first. I'd I'd say like one of the things that I always swear by is like be that welcoming person into pickleball. Be the person who finds that that one person who's kinda like waiting off to the side or has their arms crossed or whatever. Like I I think like I can't say enough how much pickleball has changed my life, socially, professionally, like in so many different ways. I would not be here unless I had met the people who were nice to me and who welcomed me into the sport in the first place. And so I always con consider myself like a pickleball evangelist. Like I I wanna spread the sport. I want people to be included. and I wanna be that positive influence. And so like my my big thing and I think kind of a common thread through a lot of our conversation is just like be the person that people wanna play with, be a good partner, be a welcoming be someone who's welcoming. and you know, never think you're above anyone else or d you know, be pretentious or anything like that. Like those pickleball is about community first and the sport second. And I think people need to be reminded of that at all times. And that's why we're here. Exactly. Really well, Jimmy. Thank you. Guys, quiet, quiet. Yeah. Merv I'd say make a social media account, connect with people you play with, make groups, join Facebook groups. Like the community is crazy. You're gonna meet like the most craziest people ever. connections go so deep with pickleball. you're gonna meet like really deep connections out there that you would have never thought is even possible. Well final thoughts from me is yeah, we haven't even shared the court yet, boys. and and look how much pickleball's already brought us together. Amen. we spend so much time trying to become better pickleball players. But maybe the skill that people remember the most is making them feel welcome. Because years from now Nobody is gonna remember what the scores were, but they are gonna remember the nice person at open play. They'll remember who invited them in, they're gonna remember who encouraged them, who made them laugh, who became a friend. That's the social side of pickleball. That's the invisible game. And I think this is the game that's worth winning. Absolutely.