A week before Christmas, Kyle Trenga, co-host of the popular “Pickleball Effect” podcast, texted his boss, Braydon Unsicker, to wish him a happy holiday. Braydon responded similarly but added, to paraphrase, “You’re fired.”
“I was angry, obviously, to have received the information via text,” Trenga told me. “I was in a bit of shock to be let go so abruptly. I had been cohosting and editing the “Pickleball Effect” podcast for a year and a half and watched his channel grow from 8k subscribers to 20k in that span and a podcast go from zero sponsors to fully sponsored.”
Asked for his response, Unsicker said, “I did send a text to start that conversation because I'm much better at writing than speaking and can express my thoughts and emotions better that way,” he said. “In hindsight, that was a mistake. I should have called first. I’ve apologized to him and learned from it.”
Unsicker runs the show and is entitled to fire anyone but doing so by text instead of a phone call was wrong and credit to him for admitting it. Asked why he dismissed Trenga, Unsicker said, “It was a thoughtful decision with multiple factors involved, and out of respect for everyone, I don’t think it’s appropriate to go into specifics.”
Last March I wrote a profile on Trenga and at the time, Unsicker told me, “I asked him to co-host for a few reasons. Our personalities are quite different. He’s more outspoken and socially active, while I’m more introverted. It’s been so great working with him.”
Obviously, something happened since then that changed Braydon’s mind. Maybe it was just a business decision. Trenga says Unsicker told him, “He was going to be doing more stuff with Aaron [the podcast’s other host and editor] and it made more sense operationally.”
Trenga says he didn’t receive a salary from Unsicker, he only made money from a percentage of the podcast’s sponsors’ payments.
On a personal note, I have corresponded with Braydon periodically since profiling him here in March 2024. He’s one of my favorite pickleball podcasters and paddle reviewers, a smart guy and also a rarity in today’s world because he admits when he’s wrong. When I wrote a piece last year saying I don’t think paddle reviewers should accept free clothes from paddle companies, much less wear them on-camera, he agreed and said he would stop doing so. Braydon has also taken time to respond to my emails seeking paddle information. And when I told him last year that I wanted to profile Trenga and asked for Kyle’s contact information, Braydon was happy to provide it.
Trenga is hurt but moving on. He’s 37, lives in Boise, Idaho, and works full-time as an electrical engineer. He doesn’t have to work in the pickleball space, but it’s a passion. “I knew I wanted to stay in the industry and overcoming adversity seems to be a theme in my life,” he said.
Indeed.
Trenga had a chaotic upbringing. He says his parents were addicted to methamphetamines. He grew up poor and his parents were always arguing, usually about money, sometimes about drugs. They got divorced when he was in kindergarten. They were nomadic. By the time Trenga reached 3rd grade, he had lived in San Diego, El Cajon, Tracy and Big Bear in California and in Boise. He says his parents are drug-free now.
As for Trenga’s current situation in the pickleball space, he’s already started a podcast called “Between the Rallies” and a website is under development.
“I started brainstorming how I would run my own podcast/channel the same day I was let go,” he says. Asked how he hopes to stand out in the sea of paddle reviewers, he says, “While I will still talk about some gear, my plan to for “Between the Rallies” is to keep it short, 20 to 30 minutes, so it’s easily digestible, high energy and fun.
“My goals are to have guests that not only can bring some value but are also making a difference in their community and could benefit from some extra exposure. This week's guest co-founded pickleball for the incarnated communities league, which is present in 16 states and 70 prisons. I have plans to do a segment with an adaptive sports advocate.”
Trenga says his podcast and website will cover more than the latest paddles and other equipment.
“Gear will still be talked about, but I definitely want to highlight some stuff that makes me feel passionate about our sport.”
Before losing the “Pickleball Effect” job, Trenga lost 40 pounds. A former high school football all-conference left guard, at 5 feet, 10 inches tall, he had ballooned to over 300 pounds. He’s now weighs 223. He works out regularly and in October ran a full marathon after running a couple of half marathons.
“In February of 2025 I was going through a divorce and sitting at 312 pounds. I was on antidepressants and blood pressure medication. I was in a very dark place and wanted to stick around for my [young son and daughter] so I made some drastic changes in my lifestyle. 2025 turned out to be the year of overcoming adversity. On to bigger and better things in 2026.”
One of the bigger things is a two-week trip to Japan starting January18th. “I will be there for my electrical engineering job but tied it in with pickleball of course. I am cohosting two different events in Tokyo and with the help of some sponsors I am bringing some fun gear to give away at these events that will be with some of the local club leaders and friends I made during my last trip. My goal is to see the growth [in pickleball] that Japan has had in the last year, interview a couple key people that are more so on the community side of the growth and to see how I can help them in their continued growth.”
Regarding the trend towards power paddles, Trenga says, “Power sells and that has been evident year to year but I do think we will see less power paddles this year than we have seen previously. I think power will still dominate but I do think we will start to see a shift toward more all-court paddles at least in the enthusiast sector of players.”
He has this advice for a new or intermediate rec player who is paddle shopping: “Don’t go buy the most expensive paddle. Start with something affordable, think $100-150 max, and you can find a great paddle. As a new player stick with a hybrid or wide body at first for the extra forgiveness.”
As for the trend towards more power, Trenga says, “While the game is definitely getting more aggressive with paddle technology helping keep way more aggressive shots in the court, being an all-court banger can only get you so far until you play individuals that can neutralize your drives. So while I think the aggressive game is here to stay, I think learning those soft shots and dinks will help prevent you from hitting a huge plateau in your skills.”
Kyle Trenga has hit huge plateaus in his life. And like a skilled pickleball player, he has usually returned the hard drives aimed right at him. No reason he won’t do it again.
Thoughts of the week, not all pickleball
· The Ravens firing of head coach John Harbaugh seems wrong to me. The guy led them to the playoffs in 12 of 18 seasons, won the Super Bowl after the 2012 season, and had a career record of 180-113. Yes, Baltimore’s season ended on a bad loss to the Steelers. I thought on the play before the missed field goal attempt, instead of having QB Lamar Jackson center the ball for the kick, they should have given it to Derrick Henry to try to get closer; a 44-yard attempt is no gimme, especially in 22-degree weather.
· When I began playing pickleball five years ago and needed court shoes, I sought advice from my podiatrist and players I know personally who have my foot size and shape. It never occurred to me to ask strangers on Meta (formerly Facebook). If I had a dollar for every time I see someone on Meta ask which court shoes to buy, I would be wealthy
· The Winter Olympics begin in three weeks, which reminds me that in the summer games, pickleball is not a sport but break dancing is. Are you kidding me? I do think that pickleball will be in the Olympics starting in 2032, if the financially driven officials in the US governing bodies can get their act together. There are currently two pickleball governing bodies and International Olympic Committee rules state that a single organization must oversee the sport. Someone’s going to have to compromise their ego for the sake of the sport and countless pickleball players whose dream is to compete in the Olympics.
· Aaron Rodgers is a first ballot NFL hall of famer but it’s time for the 42-year-old to retire. He can’t move or consistently throw accurate deep balls. But hey, it’s his life and if some team wants to pay him millions that is of course their right. But I don’t think he will be productive anymore.
· Raise your hand if before the college football season you had Indiana going to the championship game.
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