99% Pickleball

Empower Pickleball

99% Pickleball is a weekly podcast for the people driving the sport forward: everyday players. Hosted by pro pickleball player Mari Humberg and content creator Nikki Maldonado, the show covers the conversations shaping pickleball right now, from pro tour headlines and industry drama to community stories, trends, gear, and the personalities building the sport from every angle. Each episode blends current events, honest opinions, and interviews with players, creators, founders, insiders, and voices across the pickleball world. Whether you’re deep in the sport or just trying to keep up with what everyone’s talking about at open play, 99% Pickleball is built for the sport’s 99%.

Episodes

  1. 1 day ago ·  Video

    Adam Behnke: Growing the Game From the Ground Up

    What does it actually take to grow a sport? This week, Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado are joined by Adam Behnke, COO of the Brooklyn Pickleball Team, to discuss the work happening beyond the professional level to help grow pickleball in meaningful and lasting ways. The conversation covers everything from Major League Pickleball and fan engagement to junior development, minor league competition, school partnerships, and the programs helping introduce new players to the game. Adam also shares his journey into pickleball, the lessons he's learned from building sports communities, and why creating opportunities for players of all ages may be the key to the sport's continued growth. Whether you're a fan of Major League Pickleball, involved in your local pickleball community, or simply curious about where the sport is headed, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people working to grow the game from the ground up.

    1hr 21min

  2. 18 Jun ·  Video

    Zane Navratil & Nico the Lefty: The Rise of Pickleball Content

    If you've spent any time on pickleball social media, you've probably come across Zane Navratil and Nico the Lefty. In one of the funniest conversations we've had so far on 99% Pickleball, Zane and Nico join Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado to discuss how content creation has evolved alongside the sport, what it takes to build genuine connections with players, and why authenticity matters more than ever in a rapidly growing community.  The conversation explores everything from gear reviews and affiliate marketing to storytelling, parasocial relationships, and the responsibility that comes with having an audience in a sport that's still finding its identity. Along the way, Zane and Nico share stories from their own journeys, discuss how they built their platforms, and explain why community, not content, may be the most important thing creators can build. Whether you're a dedicated pickleball fan, a casual player, or someone interested in the culture surrounding the sport, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at two of the most influential voices in pickleball today.

    1hr 23min

  3. 11 Jun ·  Video

    Sarah Ansboury: Growing Pickleball Without Losing What Makes It Special

    Sarah Ansboury has spent years helping shape pickleball both on and off the court. In this week's episode of 99% Pickleball, Sarah joins Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado to discuss the sport's rapid growth, her work building coaching education programs, and the opportunities and challenges that come with pickleball's expanding global reach. The conversation covers everything from international development and youth participation to sportsmanship, court culture, and the growing problem of toxicity in both recreational and competitive play. Sarah also shares stories from her travels around the world, explains why community matters more than ever as the sport grows, and discusses what pickleball must do to preserve the qualities that made people fall in love with it in the first place. Whether you're a player, coach, organizer, or simply someone who cares about where pickleball is headed, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the future of the sport from one of its most respected voices. About Sarah Ansboury Sarah Ansboury is a pickleball coach, educator, and ambassador who has helped grow the sport through coaching certification programs, international development efforts, and player education. Follow Sarah: Instagram: @sarahansboury Website: https://sarahansbourypickleballacademy.com/

    1hr 17min

  4. 4 Jun ·  Video

    How Two Completely Different Players Fell Into Pickleball

    Why does pickleball feel so different now than it did a few years ago? In the first episode of 99% Pickleball, hosts Mari Humberg and Nikki Maldonado break down how they found the sport, what pulled them into it, and why they felt the pickleball world needed a different kind of conversation. From Mari's journey from Brazil to professional pickleball to Nikki's perspective as a creator deeply connected to the everyday player experience, the two talk about the culture surrounding the sport, the divide between rec players and the pro scene, and what they hope this podcast becomes moving forward. This episode is part introduction, part honest conversation about where pickleball is right now, and where it may be headed next.

    57 min
  • 4 Episodes

About

99% Pickleball is a weekly podcast for the people driving the sport forward: everyday players. Hosted by pro pickleball player Mari Humberg and content creator Nikki Maldonado, the show covers the conversations shaping pickleball right now, from pro tour headlines and industry drama to community stories, trends, gear, and the personalities building the sport from every angle. Each episode blends current events, honest opinions, and interviews with players, creators, founders, insiders, and voices across the pickleball world. Whether you’re deep in the sport or just trying to keep up with what everyone’s talking about at open play, 99% Pickleball is built for the sport’s 99%.

Information

  • Creator
    Empower Pickleball
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Empower Pickleball / 99% Pickleball
  • Show Website
    99% Pickleball

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