Daniel “Danny” Jensen is a former Division I soccer standout at The Ohio State University, where he concluded his collegiate career ranked among the top 10 in goals, assists, and total points in program history. After discovering pickleball in Scottsdale, Arizona, Danny was instantly hooked by the game’s fast pace, strategic depth, and the individual accountability it demands—qualities that stood in contrast to his team-sport background. With no racquet sport experience, he threw himself into the game, training relentlessly for over two years to reach the ranks of professional play. 

Today, Danny is not only a professional pickleball athlete, but also the founder of Paddle & Passport, a luxury pickleball travel company offering curated trips that combine pro-level coaching with five-star accommodations in stunning destinations around the world. His mission is to build unforgettable experiences through sport, hospitality, and human connection. 

Danny’s journey with pickleball has also taken him on three military coaching tours, where he’s taught and played with service members on 23 U.S. military bases across 17 countries—including Greenland, Djibouti, Qatar, and Guantánamo Bay—bringing joy, connection, and morale through the game. 

Off the court, Danny is passionate about travel, enjoys playing pool, staying active, and living fully. But above all, his greatest joy comes from spending time with his son, Krew, who inspires his drive to lead a purposeful, adventurous, and connected life.