The Pickleball Show with CurtisReese -Discuss the fast growing sport of Pickleball!

• Luana (Lulu) Stanciu - THE Pickleball show with Curtis Reese - 11/2025

  On this episode of The Pickleball Show with host Curtis Reese, rising PPA Tour professional Luana “Lulu” Stanciu shares her remarkable journey from Romania to the U.S., her transition from Division I tennis to pickleball, and her growing presence on the pro circuit. Her manager Martin Alexander joins as well for fun banter and insights 🎙️ About the Guest: Luana “Lulu” Stanciu- Background: Originally from Romania, Luana came to the U.S. to play Division I college tennis while earning her graduate degree.- Early Career: During grad school, she completed an internship that introduced her to the business side of tennis—covering event operations and coaching fundamentals. This led to a full-time role with Cliff Drysdale Tennis, where she became known for her energy, leadership, and ability to elevate club events.- Discovery of Pickleball: While working in tennis, Luana discovered pickleball and quickly fell in love with both playing and organizing the sport.🏓 Transition to Professional Pickleball- In March 2025, Luana officially joined the PPA Tour, competing in singles, doubles, and mixed events.- She has already partnered with notable players, including former world Top 20 tennis star Sam Querrey in mixed doubles.- Known for her strong backhand, athleticism, and relentless drive, Luana is carving out her place among emerging pros.📊 Recent Highlights- Ranked #63 in singles, #95 in doubles, and #112 in mixed on the PPA Tour.- Competed in major events such as the PPA Veolia Atlanta Open and PPA Orange County Cup, gaining valuable experience against top-tier opponents.- Recently featured in matches like the Fasenra Virginia Beach Cup, where she battled Mari Humberg in the singles draw.🌟 Why This Episode MattersCurtis Reese dives into Luana’s inspiring story—how her tennis foundation, professional experiences, and passion for event operations uniquely prepared her for success in pickleball. Listeners will hear firsthand how she balances competition, training, and her vision to help grow the sport worldwide.Takeaway: Luana “Lulu” Stanciu is not just a competitor; she’s a builder of the pickleball community, and her journey from Romania to the PPA Tour is one to watch.https://www.owlsnestresort.com/meet-luana-stanciu/https://www.instagram.com/luluonthecourt/?hl=enhttps://www.facebook.com/Lul996/https://www.linkedin.com/in/luana-stanciu-637198193/https://youtu.be/sSfyVVA9oAE

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• Mike Barker - VAIR - THE Pickleball show with Curtis Reese - August 2025

  Is DUPR Dead? Mike Barker's VAIR Rating System Might Just Bury It Guest: Mike Barker, Founder of VAIRHost Curtis Reese sits down with entrepreneur and former semi-pro football player, Mike Barker, the brain behind VAIR (Visually Assisted International Rating system), which is shaking up the world of competitive pickleball ratings.In this episode, Barker explains why he launched VAIR, a next-generation system that aims to eliminate the "Wild West" nature of current pickleball ratings. Unlike systems based solely on wins and losses, VAIR uses a Visually Assisted and AI-powered approach to calculate a player's actual skill level by taking into account factors like gender and age to create fairer matchups.The Hook: Discover why a win won't always raise your rating and how VAIR is designed to combat "sandbagging"—players intentionally playing below their skill level—to ensure a more enjoyable and competitive experience for everyone.https://www.vairified.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22460722776&gbraid=0AAAAA--Sk50nKlLBKP4i2JC7HdSJAbwf-&gclid=CjwKCAiA_dDIBhB6EiwAvzc1cC84khDTHf7OQtajpHo2n1rCudw3oVqM0-DUw5goi8J4i5QmIA_cZxoCRocQAvD_BwEhttps://www.vairified.com/opl?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22460722776&gbraid=0AAAAA--Sk50nKlLBKP4i2JC7HdSJAbwf-&gclid=CjwKCAiA_dDIBhB6EiwAvzc1cELoat0fBWZu26uppvdeSsKje07WZRSkevhBKN_WjsUZyuZb8m50ihoCdgoQAvD_BwEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_8ENI6kcushttps://www.911exteriors.com/https://youtu.be/zIr94r_3p9g

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• Saad Noorsumar and Chris Stafford - THE Pickleball show with Curtis Reese

  The Pickleball Show host Curtis Reese brings the heat in this dynamic episode, diving deep into the explosive world of racket sports with two standout guests who embody the sport's blend of innovation and grit. Leading the charge is Saad ""Sultan"" Noorsumar, the visionary force behind Pros on Wheels Racket Sports in Frisco, Texas—a premier training hub that's revolutionizing pickleball coaching for pros and amateurs alike. Known as ""Sultan"" for his commanding court presence and strategic mastery, Saad shares insider secrets on building elite-level skills, from dinking drills that sharpen reflexes to mental toughness tactics that turn matches around. Drawing from his hands-on work with top-tier players at his state-of-the-art Frisco facility, he reveals how pickleball's rapid evolution mirrors Texas's booming sports scene, complete with tips on customizing training for wheel-based agility (a nod to adaptive play) and spotting the next big trends in paddle tech.Joining the fun is Chris Stafford, a rising pickleball powerhouse and competitive player whose journey from casual courts to tournament contention is pure inspiration. As a key figure in the Stafford Pickleball collective—famous for pioneering paddle innovations that prioritize spin control and power—Curtis keeps the energy electric, weaving in timely pickleball news—like the surge in Frisco's community courts and adaptive sports initiatives—while extracting actionable advice for listeners at every level. Whether you're a weekend warrior or aspiring pro, this episode packs laughs, lessons, and a fresh take on why pickleball isn't just a game—it's the future of fun, fitness, and friendly competition. Tune in for paddle-popping wisdom that'll have you booking your next session. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. #PickleballRevolutionhttps://www.facebook.com/prosonwheels2018/https://www.linkedin.com/in/saad-noorsumar-1a7749a9/https://www.instagram.com/coachsultan31/https://www.instagram.com/p/DLiU60IpCgo/https://www.instagram.com/p/DQU8zCWDh3R/https://youtu.be/2NwpbDt-lTE

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• Rachel Chonko - THE Pickleball show with Curtis Reese 8-29-25

  In this episode of The Pickleball Show, host Curtis Reese Dinks into the business of pickleball and welcomes Rachel Chonko, the Editor-in-Chief of Peake Media and a driving force behind the explosive growth of pickleball’s business landscape. With over a decade of experience covering the sports and fitness industry, Rachel shares her personal journey into the sport and dives into the origins of Peake Media, a B2B publishing powerhouse founded to equip health and fitness pros with essential resources.Rachel traces Peake’s evolution from its flagship titles like Club Solutions Magazine, Campus Rec Magazine, and Community Rec Magazine to its bold 2024 launch of Pickleball Innovators, the parent company’s dedicated arm for empowering pickleball entrepreneurs. As the go-to hub for club owners, she highlights key trends like noise mitigation strategies, massive franchise expansions (think PickleRage’s 17 new deals in 2025 and Pickleball Kingdom’s global push into India and the UAE), and innovative venues like the 43-court mega-complex The Fort in Fort Lauderdale. Curtis and Rachel break down actionable advice for aspiring facility operators—from navigating urban noise complaints to capitalizing on pickleball’s social boom—while teasing the 2025 Pickleball Innovators Summit as a must-attend for industry trailblazers.Whether you’re a court regular or a business-minded player, this episode serves up insights faster than a cross-court dink. Tune in for laughs, strategies, and the inside scoop on why pickleball isn’t just a game—it’s the next big fitness empire.https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-chonko/https://pickleballinnovators.com/author/rzabonick/https://communityrecmag.com/author/rachel-zabonick/https://pickleballinnovators.com/how-technology-is-powering-the-modern-pickleball-club/

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• Chris Hagman -THE Pickleball show with Curtis Reese - August 2025

  In this episode of The Pickleball Show, host Curtis Reese welcomes Chris Hagman, President of Atlantic Recreation, for an engaging conversation that dives deep into the booming world of pickleball. Chris shares insights from his decades of experience in the recreation industry, discusses Atlantic Recreation’s role in expanding pickleball access across communities, and explores the sport’s explosive growth in both competitive and casual circles. Whether you're a die-hard pickleballer or just curious about the sport, this episode offers a fresh perspective from one of the industry’s leading voices. Tune in and get inspired to hit the court! https://atlrec.net/about-2/meet-president/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherhagman/ https://www.acefitness.org/resources/everyone/find-ace-pro/dyw3w22/christopher-hagman/ resolutre.com https://youtu.be/R1TVANRKl4Q 8/28/2025

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