Forehands Middle

About Forehands Middle

Forehands Middle is the world’s first (and probably last) pickleball podcast hosted by two brothers who think they’re funnier than they are. Nico the Lefty and Gino the Righty. Together they form one functional doubles team and about half a functioning podcast.

Publisher

Nico Gaston Valencia

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Aug 2025

Latest episode

19 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Oct 2026

   Chris Olson Can Kill a Pickleball Paddle With One Video

   Chris Olson from Pickleball Studio can end a paddle with one video. We talked about how he decides a paddle sucks, the review that got him ghosted by Diadem, whether the RPM Jade lives up to the hype, and the four paddles on his Mount Rushmore. Main Paddle beta: rate the paddles you own, keep your bag, follow players you trust. Sign up: https://www.nicothelefty.com/main-paddle Spartus Spitfire, $99 with code NICOTHELEFTY (list $109.99): https://gospartus.com/nicothelefty Loco 2, $198 with code NICOTHELEFTY: https://www.bnbpickleball.com Every brand that takes the code: https://www.nicothelefty.com/deals All my paddle reviews: https://www.nicothelefty.com/reviews First episode of The Main. No notes. Chris runs Pickleball Studio, the most trusted paddle review channel in the sport. We get into X-raying paddles at a dog shelter, why MPP vs EPP tells you nothing, how he builds the muscle to say a paddle is bad, durable grit that didn't hold up (Apes Zen S+, Vatic V-Sol Tour, Enhance Turbo), what a real review takes, lead tape, his Mount Rushmore of paddles, the Diesel, JOOLA making the same paddle five times, Worlds with Paul Lee, and the hater he wants to fly to Minnesota. Chapters 0:00 Cold open: make or break 0:18 The Main, episode three 1:12 Welcome to The Main (no notes) 2:33 Chris in the middle, John on the end 4:51 Does Chris X-ray paddles? 7:36 MPP vs EPP: the feel myth 10:48 Nomex never worked 12:10 How Chris builds the negative-review muscle 14:54 Diadem ghosted him 18:20 Road to 5.0, in reverse 19:49 How long to stay on one paddle 20:57 Recommend a paddle without durable grit? 24:11 Durable grit is the Anna Leigh Waters of paddles 25:58 Durable grit that didn't hold up 30:11 100 games on the Spitfire 32:56 First impression vs full review 36:30 The tournament test and the honeymoon phase 39:11 "Main potential" to "anyone want to buy it?" 42:11 Weight changes everything 44:38 Where Chris puts lead tape 48:00 Mount Rushmore of paddles 54:42 Nico's Rushmore 58:13 What Nico won't play 61:05 The Diesel 63:46 JOOLA made the same paddle five times 69:21 Paddles Chris is waiting on 71:52 The Tesla Roadster paddle 74:03 Hype vs reality: the RPM Jade 75:42 "Is he the guy that hates you?" 78:37 Camera reviews are paid. Paddle reviews aren't. 83:47 What Chris is maining 85:28 Worlds with Paul Lee 88:00 Brothers vs brothers 91:07 Zane as coach 94:29 Keyboard warriors 97:53 Fly a hater to Minnesota 100:15 John Kew's missing phone 102:26 Subscribe, and end card Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicothelefty Find me Website: https://www.nicothelefty.com Main Paddle beta: https://www.nicothelefty.com/main-paddle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicothelefty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicothelefty_ Chris: https://www.youtube.com/@PickleballStudio

2. 

   8 Oct 2026

   I Asked a Paddle Company Owner If You Can Trust Reviewers

   Doug Sapusek built the Loco, sold Bread & Butter to Selkirk, and has a theory about Chris Olson and wide bodies. Bread & Butter sent me the Loco 2 free. Loco 2, $198 with code NICOTHELEFTY: https://www.bnbpickleball.com Every brand that takes the code: https://www.nicothelefty.com/deals All my paddle reviews: https://www.nicothelefty.com/reviews No notes, no prep. Doug is the founder of Bread & Butter, the creator of the Loco, and now a Selkirk employee. We get into why Selkirk said no to a wide body, why the hybrid Loco 2 launched late, why no reviewers got it early, what annoys him about paddle reviewers, where the X-rays come from, how the Loco got its name, life inside Selkirk, and the bags, shoes and polos coming next. He also made a pisco sour. Chapters 0:00 The Chris Olson strangulation multiverse 0:40 Bread & Butter sold to Selkirk. Now what? 1:20 No notes, one pisco sour 3:15 Did Chris Olson kill the wide body? 5:26 "Look at this thing. It's freaking ugly." 8:28 Why Selkirk said no to a wide body 12:06 Why the hybrid Loco 2 launched late 15:12 Justin Barton called it lazy. Doug answers. 18:09 Why no reviewers got the Loco 2 early 19:52 What annoys Doug about paddle reviewers 23:19 Do reviewers chase commissions? 25:50 The $14.99 Adidas Metalbone 27:13 Only one reviewer does it full time 28:13 Dave Portnoy-style paddle reviews 28:59 Where do reviewers get paddle X-rays? 31:15 The original Loco and a lawsuit threat 32:56 How the Loco got its name 33:47 Chris Olson or John Kew: who does Doug trust? 38:22 You can be a nerd and win in pickleball 39:53 Trust fund kids and Daddy's Backyard 43:30 Life inside Selkirk 47:53 What's next: a new paddle, bags and shoes 53:24 A polo without a collar 54:59 Will a PPA pro ever play the Loco? 59:58 Nico's picks: J Dub and Hayden 63:20 Ben Johns, Franklin and lifetime contracts 68:10 Is Robert Slusky Batman? 69:42 Which camera should Nico buy? 71:37 Watch next Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3AzwFqfAT6k Find me Website: https://www.nicothelefty.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicothelefty/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nicothelefty_ Selkirk: https://www.selkirk.com #pickleball #pickleballpaddle #breadandbutter

3. 

   1 Oct 2026

   James Ignatowich Skipped the Reviewers

   James Ignatowich launched the RPM Jade with almost no reviewers, and says it sold almost 30,000. Here is why he did it. James is the co-founder of RPM, a former PPA pro, and the least filtered person in pickleball. We talk about why he named a paddle the Jade, the line call that ended a friendship at the PPA Masters, why he stopped sending paddles to reviewers, the buyout offer he would not take, and what he would tell a 21-year-old pro. I earn a commission when you use code NICOTHELEFTY. RPM sent me the Jade free. James is RPM's co-founder and CEO. RPM Jade, $230 with code NICOTHELEFTY: https://rpmpb.com/NICOTHELEFTY (https://rpmpb.com/NICOTHELEFTY) Every brand that takes the code: https://nicothelefty.com/deals (https://nicothelefty.com/deals) Watch the video: https://youtu.be/svjVFh3XIjU (https://youtu.be/svjVFh3XIjU) Website: https://www.nicothelefty.com (https://www.nicothelefty.com) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicothelefty/ (https://www.instagram.com/nicothelefty/)

4. 

   18 Sept 2025

   Episode 5: Dinks and Doobies

   In this episode of the Forehands Middle podcast, Nico and Gino dive deep into the latest storylines shaking up the pickleball world. From their own recent tournament experiences to the ups and downs of fantasy pickleball, the brothers bring a mix of firsthand insight, sharp analysis, and plenty of humor. The conversation takes listeners courtside at the PPA Cincinnati tournament, spotlighting the continued dominance of Anna Leigh Waters in women’s singles, the shifting dynamics in men’s doubles, and the fast-evolving landscape of mixed doubles. They also celebrate the rise of the Kawamoto sisters, who continue to prove themselves as must-watch players. Beyond the matches, Nico and Gino unpack the business side of the sport with the launch of James Ignatowich’s new paddle company, RPM Pickleball—highlighting how pickleball’s growth is no longer just about the game, but also the personalities, stories, and brands shaping its future.

5. 

   8 Sept 2025

   Episode 4: Fantasy Pickleball

   In this episode of Forehands Middle, Nico and Gino dive into the wild mix of pickleball, social media, and sports culture. From dealing with online critics to sharing stories about fan interactions, the brothers give a candid look at life on and off the court. They shift gears with a fantasy pickleball draft, breaking down players they’d pick to build the ultimate squad, while debating where the sport is headed as it grows in popularity. Along the way, they touch on the challenges of paddle reviews, the influence of social media, and the crossover excitement of football season. The episode wraps with reflections on how pickleball’s future will be shaped not only by athletes and fans, but also by influencers, creators, and the culture surrounding the game.

6. 

   3 Sept 2025

   Episode 3: Down Go the Queens

   In this episode of Forehands Middle, Nico and Gino cover everything from fantasy football drafts in Vegas to the chaos of the PPA Las Vegas pickleball tournament. They break down the shifting dynamics of men’s and women’s doubles, the ongoing debate around bronze medal matches, and why court quality is becoming a bigger issue in pro pickleball. Highlights include: Tyra & Jorja's standout performance in Vegas Johnny G "Looch" emerging as a singles threat Tanner’s unexpected villain arc The never-ending importance of gear (and the guys’ own experiences with it) The brothers mix analysis with their trademark banter, giving listeners both strategy and satire as they look ahead to what’s next in pickleball.

7. 

   28 Aug 2025

   Episode 2: The Giants

   In this episode of Forehands Middle, Nico and Gino dive into their experiences at the MLP New York event and break down all the action on and off the court. From analyzing the Shock and Columbus Sliders to dissecting Ben Johns’ body language, the brothers give their unfiltered takes on player performances and team dynamics. They recap the finals between the Fives and the Sliders, highlighting key moments and what could have swung the outcome differently. Along the way, they dig into the bigger picture: how team chemistry shapes results, why indoor play and surface consistency matter, and the unique appeal of MLP vs. PPA formats. The episode wraps with bold predictions for upcoming tournaments—singles and doubles alike—and a look at the dominance of stars like Anna Leigh Waters, the pressure of playoff moments, and the controversies that make pro pickleball impossible to ignore.

8. 

   20 Aug 2025

   Episode 1: Taking Balls

   In this episode of the Forehands Middle podcast, hosts Nico and Gino discuss the latest happenings in Major League Pickleball, analyzing player performances, team dynamics, and strategies leading into the semifinals. They reflect on the excitement of the quarterfinals, the importance of player confidence, and the impact of pressure in matches. The conversation also touches on heated moments and controversies that arise in competitive sports, culminating in predictions for the upcoming semifinals.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Contact Forehands Middle

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.