Inside the RV Life of Pro Pickleball Family Megan Fudge & Ryler DeHeart
The Fudge-DeHeart Family Ride
I first met Megan Fudge and Ryler DeHeart through my previous role in the pickleball world. At the time, I knew they were talented, but I quickly realized they were also some of the kindest, most grounded people on tour. Lily and JR are just fun, plain and simple. They’re the kind of kids who make long tournament days better. I remember countless moments where Lily would wander over to where I was working, sometimes to draw, sometimes to chat, sometimes just to help out. JR, on the other hand, was usually off being busy doing very boy things. Having them around made my own time at tournaments feel lighter and more joyful.
So when I thought about who to spotlight this week, the Fudge-DeHeart crew immediately came to mind. Because beyond the medals and the rankings and the perfectly staged RV shots you might see on social—they’re just a family. Two parents. Two kids. Two dogs. Trying to juggle jobs, school, sports, travel, and each other. They just happen to live in an RV.
From Tennis to Pickleball: The Backstory
Megan Fudge was a standout collegiate tennis player at the University of Illinois, being the 2010 NCAA Regional Sportsmanship Recipient, receiving All Big Ten Conference Team all four years, along with four team MVPs. Ryler DeHeart also played at Illinois, going on to compete professionally and even facing Rafael Nadal on center court at the U.S. Open.
Post-tennis, they built a life in Florida, with Megan coaching and Ryler taking on roles with the USTA and Team USA. Then, like many, COVID hit, and everything changed. A YouTube video of people playing pickleball led to a chalked driveway court... and a new obsession was born.
They leaned into the sport quickly. Megan began playing pro pickleball in 2021 and has since earned 84 pro medals, including golds at the English Open and Indian Open, and silver at both the 2023 and 2024 U.S. Open. She’s currently ranked #1 on the APP Tour.
When Hotels and Airports Weren’t Cutting It
The Fudge-DeHeart Family
After a year of nonstop travel for tournaments, with two kids, two dogs, and an always-packed schedule, they hit a wall.
“The lifestyle wasn’t sustainable,” Megan wrote in her blog. “We’d get home just long enough to do laundry before heading back out again.”
RV life wasn’t part of the plan... until it was. What started as a conversation with friends turned into a trial run, which turned into a total lifestyle shift. They sold their Florida home, donated nearly everything they owned, and hit the road full-time in a 40-foot RV affectionately named “Mr. Pickles.”
And they haven’t looked back.
A New Routine on the Road
Their days are now filled with sunrise training sessions, Zoom check-ins with teachers from Florida Virtual School, grocery hauls, tournament weekends, and exploring new cities every couple of weeks.
Lily and JR are growing up in a way most kids don’t get to, meeting new people across the country, learning flexibility, and even entering the sport themselves.
“Training has essentially become their PE class,” Megan says. “They’re getting more of a picture of what our life is like. We’re not the conventional family.”
In November, they upgraded their ride to “Mr. Coach”—complete with bunk beds, reclining massage chairs, a full-size master bed, and a floor-level window for the dogs. Their setup may change from week to week, but the feeling of home goes with them.
Balancing Medals, Motherhood, and Memories
Megan is incredibly honest about the challenges this lifestyle brings. In one of her recent blog posts, she wrote:
“My journey isn’t just about me. Every choice affects the four of us: Ryler’s career, Lily and JR’s path, our family life, and our travel. Nothing is simple.”
Still, she shows up, on and off the court, with grit and grace. She’s passionate about inspiring women and girls to chase their dreams, and she makes space for vulnerability and transparency in a space that can often feel like a highlight reel.
One of my favorite things about Megan is how she shares not just the wins, but the realities. RV repairs, travel hiccups, surprise frogs in the sink—you name it. She captures it all with humor and humility.
“Life on the road is special,” she says, “but so is coming back to our version of home. While we cherish the places we visit, there’s something comforting about settling into our tiny home on wheels, knowing that no matter where we park, we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.”
A Family That Plays (and Pivots) Together
Lily and JR winning bronze at an APP event.
One week they’re teaching clinics in Sacramento, the next they’re on court in the Caymans, or parked overnight outside a Cracker Barrel. Whatever’s on the schedule, they just figure it out and keep rolling.
“We pivot well, don’t we?” Megan joked in a blog post. “I keep hearing Ross from Friends in my head—PIVOT!”
And maybe that’s the real magic of their journey. They don’t just go with the flow, they shape it. They’ve created a life that reflects their values: connection, adventure, flexibility, and a shared love for the sport that brought them back to center.
Fans love them not just because they win, but because they’re kind. They’re funny. They’re approachable. You know how you’re not supposed to go up to players before a match or after a tough loss? Somehow Megan and Ryler are still the ones willing to make time for a quick chat or a hello. They treat people like people. And it’s genuine.
They’ve chosen a life that doesn’t look traditional, but they’ve kept their priorities crystal clear. Family first. Community second. And then the game.
They’re living proof that you don’t need a white picket fence to have a strong foundation. Sometimes a cramped RV with bunk beds and a dog window is exactly where you’re meant to be.
Follow Their Journey:
Website: www.meganfudgepb.com
Instagram: @officialmeganfudge
YouTube: Megan Fudge Pickleball
