What if the most important thing about pickleball…
has nothing to do with pickleball?

In this episode, we sit down with Kelli McRobert — and what unfolds is far bigger than the game.

Yes, she’s a coach.
Yes, she’s worked with elite programs.
Yes, she’s connected to some of the most respected names in the sport.

But that’s not the story.

The story is this:

She’s been quietly cleaning up the planet… for decades.

🌍 THIS IS THE PART YOU DON’T SEE:

While most people scroll…
Kelli stops the car.

While most people walk past…
Kelli picks it up.

Bottles. Cans. Garbage. Waste.

Not because it’s convenient.
Not because someone’s watching.

Because it’s the right thing to do.

🔥 WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:

• The childhood story that started it all
• Turning garbage into purpose (and even funding travel as a kid)
• Why she physically can’t ignore litter anymore
• The emotional side of seeing what people leave behind
• How one person can actually make a difference
• Why “someone else will do it” is the biggest lie we tell ourselves

⚡ THE TRUTH:

Most people talk about making the world better.
Kelli does it… one piece at a time.

And once you hear this conversation —
you won’t unsee it either.

🏓 YES… THERE’S PICKLEBALL TOO:

Kelli is also one of the most respected grassroots coaches in the game — building players, communities, and pathways across Ontario.

“The minute I can show someone one small thing… it makes my heart sing.”

That same mindset shows up everywhere in her life.

🔗 CONNECT WITH KELLI & HER COACHING WORLD:


👉 Teach Me Pickleball Coaching with Kelli McRobert
https://teachme.to/listings/pickleball/pickleball-with-kelli-mcrobert

👉 Better Pickleball
https://betterpickleball.com

👉 Learn from CJ Johnson
https://betterpickleball.com/about

Watch the BounceBack Pickle Kitchen Conversations episode at this link:
👉 https://youtu.be/FEgVWMs-m_U?si=MJm64Nqq663RJkYU

🎯 ABOUT THE SHOW:

“More than Dinks, Drops and Drives – Stories from Behind The Paddle.”

This isn’t about how to hit a better third shot drop.
This is about the people… and the stories that actually matter.

💬 QUESTION FOR YOU:

Be honest…
When was the last time you picked something up that wasn’t yours?

🔔 SUBSCRIBE:

New episodes every Thursday at 1pm.

🏷️ HASHTAGS:

#Pickleball #KitchenConversations #KelliMcRobert #BetterPickleball #CJJohnson #CleanUpTheEarth #Sustainability #EnvironmentalImpact #MakeADifference #PickleballLife #PickleballCanada #CommunityMatters #BehindThePaddle #DoTheRightThing #LeaveItBetter

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.

The Huffin Puffin Muffin Girls is one of the most charming and meaningful stories to come out of Kingston pickleball.

In this episode of Kitchen Conversations, Mike sits down with Pam Bidinost, one of the founding forces behind the Kingston Pickleball Club, to talk about how a women’s exercise group with a hilarious nickname turned into a full blown pickleball obsession. What began with laughs, coffee, muffins, and a few wildly off target shots at RMC eventually became something much bigger: a deep love for the game, tournament success, and a key role in helping bring one of Ontario’s early dedicated indoor pickleball facilities to life.

Pam shares the early days of discovering the sport, the addictive pull of competition, and the behind the scenes story of how the Kingston Pickleball Club came together through vision, volunteerism, belief, and a whole lot of hard work. This episode is about more than pickleball. It is about community, connection, purpose, and the kind of people who help build something that lasts.

Whether you’re already part of the pickleball world or still wondering what all the fuss is about, this conversation captures exactly why the game means so much to so many.

Learn more about Kingston Pickleball Club:

Kingston Pickleball Club Website

Kingston Pickleball Club on Instagram

Kingston Pickleball Club on Facebook

Phone: (343) 477-0246

Pam Bidinost on social media:

Pam Bidinost on Facebook

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.

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.

Pickleball with Purpose | Pickle Power Ottawa Fundraiser

What happens when pickleball meets purpose?

On April 18th, the courts at The Forge Pickleball Club come alive for something far bigger than competition. Pickle Power Ottawa is more than a tournament. It is a movement driven by community, resilience, and the fight against cancer.

Founded by breast cancer survivor Andrea Douglas, this event brings players together to raise critical funds for the Ottawa Cancer Foundation, supporting free programs and services for those navigating a cancer journey.

Every rally played is a step toward impact.

This episode dives into the story behind the event, the people driving it, and why this tournament matters far beyond the baseline.

⸻

🔗 Learn More & Get Involved

👉 Ottawa Cancer Foundation
https://ottawacancer.ca/

👉 Pickle Power Ottawa Event Details / Registration
https://www.picklepowerottawa.ca/

👉 The Forge Pickleball Club (Event Location)
https://www.theforgepickleball.ca/

⸻

🎯 Event Details

📍 Location: The Forge Pickleball Club, Ottawa
📅 Date: April 18, 2026
⏰ Time: 1pm start

⸻

This is what pickleball looks like at its best.
Community. Connection. Cause.

⸻

🔥 Hashtags

#PicklePower #PickleballForACause #OttawaEvents #OttawaPickleball #CancerAwareness #PlayForACause #PickleballCommunity #KitchenConversations #StoriesBehindThePaddle #OttawaCancerFoundation #TheForgePickleball #FundraiserEvent #PickleballLife #GrowTheGame

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.