In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, I sit down with Scott Mikalachki—one of Canada's most accomplished pickleball coaches—to explore what separates good players from great ones.

Scott's journey has taken him from elite junior tennis and competitive squash to a 32-year career with 3M before finding a new passion helping players unlock their potential on the pickleball court. Today he's one of only a select group of NCCP Level 3 Certified Pickleball Coaches in Canada, and his passion for teaching is unmistakable.

Our conversation goes far beyond technique.

We discuss:

🏓 Why pickleball has become one of the fastest-growing sports in North America.

🎾 How tennis, squash and other racquet sports prepare athletes for success.

🧠 The science behind effective coaching and skill development.

👟 Why proper footwear may matter more than your paddle.

🥽 Why Scott believes every player should wear protective eyewear.

📈 How artificial intelligence could change coaching forever.

🏆 What separates recreational players from athletes who continue to improve.

👨‍👩‍👧 Why youth athletes should play multiple sports before specializing.

❤️ Why community—not competition—is still pickleball's greatest strength.

Whether you've never picked up a paddle or you're chasing your next DUPR milestone, this episode is packed with practical advice, thoughtful insights, and a fresh perspective on becoming a better player,

👇 What's the best coaching advice you've ever received?

Leave your thoughts in the comments—we'd love to hear your story.

🎾 Learn more about SMASH Pickleball

https://smash-pb.com/

⛳ Oaks Golf & Country Club

https://oaksgolf.com/

👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, Share, and hit the notification bell. Your support helps us continue sharing conversations with the people growing racquet sports across Canada and beyond.

#KitchenConversations #ScottMikalachki #Pickleball #PickleballCanada #SMASHPickleball #OakesGolfAndCountryClub #NCCP #PickleballCoaching #DUPR #RacquetSports #CanadianSports #SportsPodcast #Coaching #AthleteDevelopment #PickleballLife #GrowTheGame #LondonOntario

And that wraps up this episode of Kitchen Conversations.

If you enjoyed the conversation, be sure to follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who loves the game as much as you do.

And if you want the full experience, including the visuals, head over to YouTube and watch the episode at

https://www.youtube.com/@KitchenConversationspodcast

Or search Kitchen Conversations Pickleball Podcast

That’s where these stories really come to life.

You’ll also find links and show notes in the episode description.

Until next time…

more than dinks, drops and drives…

these are stories from behind the paddle.