Training Staff

John Callahan

Certified Pickleball Coach

Certifications

• USAPA / PPR Certified Pickleball Professional
• IPTPA Certified Pickleball Professional
• PPR Lead Clinician
• St. Louis Pickleball Hall of Fame - 2023
• Tennis Teaching Pro
• USTA Ranked Doubles Player

Specialties

John Callahan is the Founder of Callahan Pickleball Academy, which has provided pickleball training, lessons, clinics, and events throughout the St. Louis area for over 8 years. Background & Experience: John brings a unique blend of expertise with decades of business experience, credentials as a tennis teaching pro, college tennis player, and USTA ranked doubles player. His academy prioritizes individual needs through custom-designed drills, strategies, lessons, and philosophies. Teaching Impact: Former and current students include pro players, a college champion, professional athletes, hundreds of medal winners, and thousands of players ranging from advanced to beginner skill levels. John has certified over a hundred coaches and taught throughout the Midwest and South. Achievements & Recognition: • Author of #1 bestselling pickleball book: "Pickleball Tips, Strategies, Lessons & Myths" - used by tens of thousands of players worldwide from beginner to pro • Inducted to the St. Louis Pickleball Hall of Fame in 2023 • 2019 US Open Gold Medal (55+/4.0 Mixed Doubles) • 2019 US Open Silver Medal (60+/4.0 Men's Doubles) Academy Leadership: John has been the teaching pro at over 20 St. Louis area venues. His Academy currently provides pickleball programming to 8 venues with 8 instructors. Students from across the country fly in for multi-day customized training sessions. Community Involvement: John has taught multi-day camps with top pro players, hosted LevelUp camps, co-hosted professional exhibitions, and donated pickleball programs to over 100 charities. His teaching is recognized worldwide.

Kenny Higgins

Pickleball Coach

Bio coming soon.

Lisa Frumhoff

Certified Pickleball Teaching Pro Instructor

Certifications

• PPR Pro Instructor - Professional Pickleball Registry
• IPTPA Level I + Level II Certified
• PPR Coach Developer
• RPO Racket Professional Organization
• PCR Padel Certified Associate Coach

Specialties

Lisa Frumhoff is a Certified Pickleball Teaching Pro Instructor with multiple elite certifications including PPR Pro Instructor (Professional Pickleball Registry), IPTPA Level I + Level II, PPR Coach Developer, RPO (Racket Professional Organization), and PCR Padel Certified Associate Coach. Coaching Philosophy: Lisa brings proven experience in developing players at all levels, specializing in clinic management, tournament preparation, and comprehensive skill development. Her dedication to the sport is evident in both her teaching excellence and personal transformation journey. Professional Experience: • Pickleball Teaching Pro at Westwood Country Club (2022-Present) - Managing 9-court facility with weekly clinics, private/group lessons, tournaments, and special events; achieved 25% increase in participation leading to club investment in brand new facility (completed April 2023) • Pickleball Teaching Pro at Padel + Pickle (2024-Present) - Coaching clinics, private lessons, team building events, and special occasions • PPR Coach Developer (2023-Present) - Leading workshops to train and certify Pickleball Coaches nationwide • Visiting Pickleball Professional - Club Med Turkoise (Turks and Caicos), Couples Resort Swept Away (Negril, Jamaica) • Featured clinic instructor with Top Pro Dylan Frazier (#2 Men's Doubles) in 2024 • #1 International Best Selling Author - Published chapters in "Living Well with GRIT" and "The Anatomy of Accomplishments" Competitive Achievements: • 2025: Gold Medal Women's Doubles 4.5 and Bronze Mixed 4.5 at Gerkenball Innsbrook • 2024: World Championships Champion Division competitor; Missouri State Championships Gold in Mixed + Women's Doubles, Silver in Singles • 2023: National Pickleball Championships competitor; Show-Me State Winter Games Silver Medal • 2022: Diamond Amateur Championships Gold Medal with Golden Ticket to Nationals; St. Louis Senior Open Gold Medal Mixed Doubles • 2021: Multiple Gold Medals including PPA Orlando Cup and APP Chicago Open Singles; National Championships 4th Place Singles • 2019: US Open Minto Championships Silver Medal Mixed Doubles • Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee Missouri S&T (1983 Women's Soccer); 1985 Women's Soccer Olympic Team Tryouts participant Personal Achievement: Transformed her life with an 80-pound weight loss journey (2019-Present) through healthy eating and strength training, demonstrating the same dedication and discipline she brings to coaching.

Jay Stringer

Pickleball Coach

Bio coming soon.

Jeff Lash

Dual Certified Pickleball Coach

Certifications

• PPR Certified Pickleball Coach
• IPTPA Level 1 Certified Teaching Instructor

Specialties

Jeff Lash is a Dual Certified Pickleball Coach with PPR (Professional Pickleball Registry) and IPTPA (International Pickleball Teaching Professional Association) Level 1 certifications, specializing in developing players from 2.5 to 4.0+ levels. Coaching Philosophy: Jeff's approach centers on teaching players not just what to do and how to do it, but why—empowering them with a deeper understanding of the game. He has taught hundreds of players at all levels through programs including "Road to 3.5," "Road to 4.0," and "Advanced" levels at Vetta Sports. Professional Experience: • Pickleball Coach at Vetta Sports - Teaching multi-level development programs • Visiting Pickleball Instructor at Club Med Punta Cana • Trained directly with top professionals: Zane Navratil, Andrei Daescu, Suzannah Barr, and senior pros Scott Tingley, Mindy Yoder, John Sperling, Rich Lopez, Barry Waddell, and Mary Helen Atkins Competitive Achievements: • 4.0+ rated competitive player • Medaled at APP St. Louis • Medaled at Missouri Pickleball Club's St. Paddy's Paddle Battle • Member of the inaugural St. Louis Shock Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) team Innovation in Coaching: Jeff is exploring how technology, including AI tools, can provide a data-driven approach to pinpoint specific areas for player improvement, leading to the greatest gains in performance.