Today we’d like to introduce you to Krystal Wiebelhaus.
Krystal, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
When I first moved to Austin in late 2022, I didn’t know many people. I grew up in the Midwest, went to college in the Midwest, and (surprise) most of my friends were still in the Midwest. My job was fully remote, and I was craving community in this new city.
I came across the SweatPals app and started browsing events where I could make new friends – specifically, volleyball. The thing about volleyball is, it’s tough to play casually if you don’t already have a solid group. It can be hard to get enough people together, and unless you’re in a league, it can feel kind of inaccessible. So, I decided to create the opportunity.
What started as a single weekly pickup game at Pease Park with a handful of folks quickly grew. Now, we run 3-6 pickup sessions weekly across various parks and venues in Austin. Our events typically draw 25-40 player, and many have become regulars (and good friends!). We’ve also started hosting tournaments and leagues, which have added another layer of fun and community to what we’re building.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
We’re coming up on two years of Sip ‘n’ Serve this summer, and when I look back, I feel incredibly lucky. The people in our community – our hosts, regulars, and partners – are truly what make it all work.
Most of the challenges we’ve faced have centered around making decisions that stay true to our mission. Along the way, we’ve had opportunities to shift direction or try new things, but we’ve learned (and are still learning) to filter those decisions through this question: Does this serve the community?
Our sweet spot has always been creating accessible, low-pressure ways for people to play volleyball, break a good sweat, and make new friends. When we come back to that purpose, things tend to fall into place.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’ve come full circle and recently joined the SweatPals team full-time, which honestly feels a little unreal. I started off as a user on the app, then built and grew our volleyball community through it, and now I get to be part of the team behind the platform.
In my role in Community Success, I work closely with both emerging and high-performing communities to help them grow and thrive. What lights me up most is the idea that we’re helping more people, find their people, in real life.
I truly believe we’re in the middle of a loneliness epidemic, and I see this work as part of the solution. Helping people build meaningful connections through movement and play is something I’m proud to be a part of.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I think (and hope) we’re going to see a continued shift toward more intentional ways of connecting offline. People are seeking community and connection, but they don’t always know where to find it.
So I see platforms like SweatPals and the communities built through them, playing a big role in how we meet people, make friends, and spend our free time.
There’s also a growing trend of people wanting to be more active and social, without the pressure of traditional gyms or bar scene. Community-led movement hits that sweet spot. I think we’ll see more of that in the coming years: informal, accessible experiences that prioritize connection, not just performance.
Pricing:
- Free – we usually offer a free weekly pickup session
- $15 – we offer multiple weekly pickup sessions at our partner venues
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sipnservesociety.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sipnservesociety
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sipnservesociety
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sipnservesociety
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystalwieb
Image Credits
Tobi Babatunde (@visualsbyola)
