Ivan Jakovljevic’s Pickleball Journey Started with a Crush (and Ended in Pro Pickleball)
Let’s be honest: switching careers is hard. But switching athletic careers after more than two decades? That’s a whole different level.
In this episode, we sit down with Ivan Jakovljevic, who walked away from a 23-year soccer career to go all in on the world of pro pickleball. And it all started because he had a crush!
We dig into his unexpected pickleball journey, what it’s like learning a totally new sport later in life, and how he keeps his athlete mindset sharp even when he’s running on very little sleep and way too many gummy bears.
From emotional discipline on the court to learning how to find joy in the grind, Ivan shares what helped him make a big change in career, found purpose through pickleball coaching, how he stays focused, and why connection in the pickleball community matters just as much as competitive drive.
If you’ve ever considered a bold pivot, wondered what it’s really like to go pro, or just want to hear a story that proves it’s never too late to start over, this one’s for you.
Let’s dink, sip, and get into it.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
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35:08
How to Play Pickleball with Your Romantic Partner Without Killing Each Other
Let’s be real for a second: playing pickleball with your romantic partner isn’t always a love story. Sometimes, it’s a full-blown drama. You’re holding hands one minute, and the next, you’re side-eyeing their third shot drop like they betrayed you. We’ve been there. That’s why this episode of Dinks on Tap hit home in the best way.
In this episode, we chat with Teri Citterman and Dr. Stormy Hill, co-authors of In a Pickle: How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other. We dive into the wild world of playing pickleball with your romantic partner, where tension, love, competitive behavior, and the occasional eye roll collide.
From emotional intelligence on the court to safe words, love languages, and intention-setting before a match, this conversation is full of real strategies for keeping both your game and your relationship strong.
We also touch on important topics like relationship advice for couples who play sports together, communication in sports, and how understanding partner dynamics can actually lead to deeper relationship growth, both on and off the court. Plus, we get into some unspoken rules of pickleball etiquette and the power of intentional play when the pressure is high.
Whether you're in love, in competition, or both, this episode is packed with relatable insights to help you play better together and maybe even argue a little less, on and off the court.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
The must-read for couples who love (and survive) playing pickleball together:
In A Pickle: How to Master Love and Pickleball and Not Kill Each Other
Explore more tools, tips, and upcoming retreats at LoveandPickleball.net
Follow the fun and join the Love nad Pickleball community:
Instagram: @love_and_pickleball
Facebook: @love.and.pickleball
TikTok: @loveandpickleball
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34:11
How to Stop Pickleball Injuries Before They Happen (And Recover Like a Pro!) With Albert Ibanez
Are you stretching the wrong way? You might think a quick quad stretch before a match is enough, but according to soft tissue specialist Albert Ibanez, most players are skipping the real key to pickleball injury prevention… and it's not what you’d expect.
Albert, known as the Muscle Whisperer, has worked on countless athletes, including some of the best pickleball players in Dallas. In this episode, he reveals why so many players struggle with chronic shoulder, elbow, and lower back pain and how small changes in your stretching routine can help you play longer and feel better.
One game-changing tip? If you're not doing an ice bath for athletes after intense play, you’re missing out on faster muscle recovery and better performance. But don’t worry, Albert also shares easy alternatives for those of us who hate freezing water.
Listen now and learn how to keep your muscle health in check, stay pain-free, and keep dinking like a pro.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
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1:05:53
What Happens Off the Court Matters More Than You Think
What if we told you that having fun off the court is just as important as practicing your dinks and drives? Sounds wild, right? But after an epic pickleball team-building trip to Broken Bow, Oklahoma, we’re here to tell you… IT WORKS.
In this episode, we’re diving into why team building is important for every pickleball league (and any competitive sport, really). We’ll share how doing team bonding activities like a Mardi Gras night, petting zoo adventures, and even a choreographed team entrance helped us feel more connected and confident going into a super competitive pickleball season.
We’ll also get real about the nerves that come with leveling up in competition, how building community and connection off the court helps us play better on it, and why staying loose is the secret weapon to better performance.
So, if you’ve ever wondered how to build trust with your doubles partner, strengthen your pickleball team, or just want an excuse to plan a fun team trip, this episode is for you!
Hit play and let’s talk about why fun actually makes you a better player.
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
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34:39
Pickleball Rules, Refs & Controversial Calls with Courtney Johnson
If you’ve ever played pickleball, you know how fast things can get heated- bad line calls, foot faults, and that one player who lobs every single shot.
But have you ever wondered what it’s like to be the person making the tough calls? That’s exactly what we’re diving into on this episode!
We got to sit down with Courtney Johnson, the Head of Competition for Major League Pickleball (MLP) and one of the most respected referees in the game. She’s been a USA Pickleball certified referee since 2018, has officiated some of the biggest matches in pro pickleball, and even had to stand her ground against John McEnroe at the Pickleball Slam.
Courtney shares how she went from a casual rec player to one of the most well-known refs in the sport, breaks down the viral “Two Becomes One” rule, and explains why MLP switched from rally scoring to side-out scoring. We also get into the biggest mistakes rec players make, the best way to handle bad line calls and lobbers, and whether pickleball is still the inclusive, welcoming sport we all love or if it's becoming too exclusive.
Plus, there’s an exclusive giveaway you won’t want to miss! If you love pickleball tips, pro pickleball insights, and fun conversations, join us for this episode!
Cheers,
Casie & Lauren
Let’s keep the conversation going! Connect with us:
Instagram: @dinksontap
Facebook: @DinksonTap
Website: dinksontap.com
Acerca de Dinks On Tap: Life Through the Lens of Pickleball
Ever wondered what the big deal is about Pickleball?
Welcome to Dinks on Tap, where the pickleball paddle meets the margarita. We’re Casie and Lauren, your pickleball partners in crime, here to spill the beans on why pickleball is more than just a game. It’s that “more” part we’re so drawn to. That “more” part which we highly suspect is about rediscovering PLAY in our lives and bringing FUN into focus.
Let’s be clear, we’re not pros. We’re just a couple of recreational players who notice, marvel, and revel in the nuances that make up the juice to this fruit’s fine squeeze. In each episode we’ll look at the life breathing behind, within, underneath and alongside the game... That momentum shift on the court, (“Why am I so ‘off’ today?”), the Fourth Man Struggle (“Seriously, who else can we get to play?”), the camaraderie that turns strangers into friends (“Do you want to exchange numbers?”) and various other dynamics that go beyond the dink to make up the humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom we find between the lines.
So join us! Pour a glass, squeeze a lime, and let’s get under the hood of just how good it feels to rediscover PLAY in our lives.
México