EP # 239 Champion Vibes: Where Family, Community, and Pickleball Intersect

Ryan Reader's journey from beach-loving hippie to pickleball entrepreneur captures the explosive growth of America's fastest-growing sport. As founder of G.O.A.T. Paddle (Greatest Of All Time Paddles), Ryan brings contagious enthusiasm to everything pickleball—from high-performance equipment to community building.

The moment Ryan discovered pickleball remains vivid in his memory. Standing in a voting line at an Estero recreation center, he spotted people playing in the gymnasium and immediately abandoned his civic duty to investigate. A lifelong tennis player, he was instantly captivated by pickleball's welcoming community and addictive gameplay. That chance encounter sparked what would become a life-defining passion and successful business venture.

G.O.A.T. Paddle emerged organically from Ryan's deep immersion in the pickleball lifestyle. Unlike companies that entered the market opportunistically during the sport's boom, Ryan emphasizes that pickleball genuinely permeates every aspect of his existence—from dreaming about gameplay patterns to developing cutting-edge equipment. This authenticity fuels his company's mission to provide truly superior paddles with specially engineered carbon fiber surfaces that optimize ball control.

Beyond equipment, Ryan's greatest pride comes from G.O.A.T. Paddle's community impact. The company recently raised nearly $30,000 for the Harry Chapman Food Bank and veterans through tournament events. Ryan describes these charitable initiatives with palpable emotion, marveling at how a seemingly simple racquet sport has become a powerful vehicle for positive change throughout Southwest Florida.

Whether you're a seasoned player looking to upgrade your equipment or someone curious about pickleball's meteoric rise, visit goatpaddle.com to discover why Ryan insists on his golden rule: always "flex like a boss" after hitting a winning shot. The paddle may be in your hands, but the championship mindset is what truly elevates your game.

G.O.A.T. Paddle

Ryan Reader

Estero, Florida

info@goatpaddle.com

goatpaddle.com

Social Media: @goatpaddle