On Episode 5 of Around the Pod, Aaron Blitz and Michael Murrell sit down at Pickle 4real with PPA pros Joey Farias and Mitch Hargreaves!

Joey breaks down his history playing alongside Ben Johns, Simone Jardim, and Catherine Parenteau, and shares the hilarious true story of how the "Nasty Nelson" was used against its inventor using a 14-ounce leaded paddle. Meanwhile, Mitch breaks down his PPA Triple Crown, his run in Tokyo, and what it really takes to train in Australia and compete globally.

Plus, the group tackles whether rally scoring is needed for pickleball to hit the mainstream, and why you should NEVER apologise for a net cord.

HOSTS:
Aaron Blitz
Michael Murrell

GUESTS
Joey Farias
Mitch Hargreaves

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A special thanks to our studio sponsor, Pickle4real — Melbourne’s premier indoor pickleball centre in Mentone.
Pickle4Real features eight climate-controlled indoor courts for social play, coaching, DUPR games, tournaments and private events. Open seven days a week, it also hosts PPA and DUPR competitions and offers venue hire and event support.
Play indoor pickleball in Melbourne at Pickle4real:
■ Website: https://pickle4real.com.au/
■ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pickle4real/
■ Facebook: Pickle4real Facebook
■ Join Pickle4real League
■ Location: 36–40 Shearson Crescent, Mentone VIC 3194

Send us your questions and comments!

Send us your questions and comments!

The Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang is right around the corner, and Team Australia is locked and loaded! 🇦🇺

Join Aaron, Michael, Justin, and Josh as they run through the full list of players representing Australia across the Open, 50+, 60+, U18, and U14 categories. We break down the team dynamics, seedings, and what it’s going to take to bring home gold (and the $25k USD top prize).

To close things out, the boys hold a snake draft to build the ultimate 4-player Pickleball World Cup squad using ONLY famous Australian athletes. Can a team featuring Nick Kyrgios, Cathy Freeman, and Brad Hill beat out a stack with Alex de Minaur and Oscar Piastri?

Drop us a message on socials to vote for the winning draft squad!

Rate and review us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts—it helps the Aussie pickleball community grow!

HOSTS:
Aaron Blitz
Josh Chia
Michael Murrell
Justin McLeod

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Send us your questions and comments!

In Episode 4 of Around the Pod, Aaron Blitz, Josh Chia, Michael Murrell, and Justin McLeod dive into the highs and lows of recent tournament play, including their runs at the PPA, Gippsland Championships, and the Dink Series.

The crew tackles some of the biggest debates in amateur and pro pickleball today:

• DUPR Ratings & Partner Drama: What happens when your partner's rating climbs faster than yours?
• Drilling vs. Social Play: How many times a week should you hit to actually improve?
• Sandbagging in Tournaments: Why players do it, how Pickleball Australia are fighting back with fair play guidelines, and what needs to change.
• Mental Reset Strategies: Practical tips on handling court tension—including a surprising sour lolly trick from a therapist!

Whether you are grinding to break past 3.5 or aiming for pro-level consistency, this episode breaks down the real reps, mindsets, and strategies you need on court.

Rate and review us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts—it helps the Aussie pickleball community grow!

HOSTS:
Aaron Blitz
Josh Chia
Michael Murrell
Justin McLeod

FOLLOW US
Youtube
Instagram

Send us your questions and comments!