This is Pickleball

Rick Witsken & Fabian Rodriguez
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Join host and Senior Pro Rick Witsken as he sits down with the sport's biggest names to uncover their stories. With a unique perspective from his own career and deep connections to the pro tours, Rick facilitates a fun and inspiring deep dive into their personal "why"—how they found the sport, the sacrifices they've made, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're a new player or a seasoned veteran, you'll get pro tips, stay up to date on all the latest tour news, and leave every episode with a fresh perspective on the game we all love. From the court to the clubhouse, we're telling the stories that make pickleball great. This is more than a game—This Is Pickleball.

  1. 4d ago

    Rick Bleeds On Court, MLP/CSP Chicago Recap & The Shake-and-Bake Masterclass

    Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle Use code FABIAN10 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle Use code FABIAN15 Welcome back to This Is Pickleball! First up is our MLP/CSP Chicago Recap—Rick breaks down the historic event where Major League Pickleball and Champions Series Pickleball shared the stage at Lifetime North Shore in Chicago. From taking a Mach 10 forehand directly to the face and going full "Chainsaw Rick" mode after gushing blood, to pulling off a wild no-look reflex winner that almost cracked ESPN's Top 10, Rick shares all the highlights and backroom stories from the Indy Drivers' 3-0-1 run. Then, we jump straight into the Shake-and-Bake Masterclass! After Fabian gets frustrated by popping up balls in his local DUPR league, Coach Rick drops an elite strategy breakdown. You'll learn the 3 non-negotiable rules for setting up high-percentage poaches off a drive, why middle placement is king, and how to execute the "Cobra Counter" to defend against aggressive crashers. Stick around until the end for a special Paddletek Special Edition Giveaway and a teaser about a massive show announcement coming very soon! Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome And Subscribe 00:34 Back In Indy Studio 01:17 MLP CSP Weekend Recap 03:27 Indy Drivers Results 05:12 Team Breaker Rules 06:21 Drivers Roster Shoutouts 08:07 Standings Seeding Worlds 09:32 Docuseries And Storytelling 10:52 Celebs And League Culture 12:53 Fabian Chicago Trip Stories 14:48 Pros Watching Senior Pros 18:01 Future Pathway Vision 20:29 Pay To Play Reality 21:32 Prime Crossover Talk 23:11 Team League Mindset 24:41 Orlando Match Highlights 26:47 CSP Drama Stories 28:59 Dallas Trip Tease 29:43 Wild Reflex Winner 31:18 Shake And Bake Tips 39:02 Defending The Poach 41:48 Here For The Gear 44:25 Final Thanks And Wrap

    Rick Bleeds On Court, MLP/CSP Chicago Recap & The Shake-and-Bake Masterclass

  2. Jul 30

    rom the Corporate Grind to Pro Pickleball with Mari Humberg & PickleballNikki (Nikki Maldonado)

    This week we are joined by the incredible hosts of the new podcast 99% Pickleball, PPA Pro Mari Humberg, and content creator extraordinaire Nikki Maldonado. We dive deep into their origin stories—from Mari pitching her C-suite executives to sponsor her pro tour debut, to Nikki discovering the sport through a bar flyer during a dark time in her life. It's a masterclass in how pickleball changes lives both inside and outside the lines of the court. Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of the pro game. Mari breaks down what it's actually like to share the court with Anna Leigh Waters, and the insane level of discipline required to execute the strategy that finally handed ALW her first MLP doubles loss this season. We also talk MLP super teams, why pickleball desperately needs more on-court personalities, and top-tier strategy tips for amateurs—including why you need to film yourself and stop hitting to the weaker player in open play. Grab your hydration (and your favorite paddle) and tune in! Timestamps:  00:00 Welcome and Guests 01:08 Poll Influencer Warmup 01:41 Rapid Fire Poll Debate 06:36 Fabian Answers Back 07:51 Why 99 Percent Pickleball 08:34 How Mari Met Nikki 09:58 Mari Tennis to Pro Journey 15:38 Going Full Time and Sponsors 18:22 Nikki Pickleball Origin Story 21:00 Nikki Content Creator Rise 25:10 Podcast Concept for Rec Players 27:27 Beyond the Lines Vision 30:18 Storytelling Over Stats 32:16 Playing With Anna Leigh 34:45 Beating The Superhuman 37:24 Facing Her After Teaming 38:52 MLP Trades And Drama 43:45 Rapid Fire Training Tips 47:59 Hot Takes And Drills 50:28 Signature Shots Breakdown 52:51 Gear Picks And Shoe Talk 57:15 Where To Find Them

    rom the Corporate Grind to Pro Pickleball with Mari Humberg & PickleballNikki (Nikki Maldonado)

  3. Jul 17

    Table Tennis to Pro Pickleball: Danni-Elle Townsend's Rapid Ascent

    Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15 This week we sit down with one of the most explosive players on the pro tour: Australia's Danni-Elle Townsend. Danni-Elle breaks down her rapid ascent from a lifelong table tennis prodigy to a formidable force on the PPA and MLP tours. She explains exactly how reading spin and generating power on the table tennis table translates into her lethal, aggressive "hunter" style at the kitchen line. From struggling just to afford flights a year ago to flying private jets with the Dallas Flash, her journey is nothing short of incredible. Beyond mechanics, Danni-Elle isn't holding back on tour drama or her mindset. She clears the air on the fake internet beef with Paris Todd, talks about the reality of trash talk, and explains why she genuinely doesn't care who is on the other side of the net—even if it's Anna Leigh Waters. Whether you want to know the physics behind her devastating backhand roll or why she believes the Asian pickleball scene is a sleeping giant, this episode is a masterclass in confidence, strategy, and pure hustle. Timestamps:  00:00 - Introduction 00:45 - Australia to US 02:03 - Table tennis to pickleball 04:07 - Asia vs. US 08:52 - Mental toughness 10:19 - Family influence 12:23 - Crowd dynamics 16:26 - Travel and support 17:41 - Future focus 22:52 - Aggressive style 23:21 - Top-player influence 27:34 - Childhood confidence 29:54 - On-court energy 32:25 - Loving the game 33:56 - Motivation 35:44 - Trash talk 40:32 - Sportsmanship 43:21 - Upcoming tournaments 46:00 - Areas to improve 47:50 - Signature shot 51:37 - Here for the gear 53:51 - Food in the US 56:06 - Becoming number one

    Table Tennis to Pro Pickleball: Danni-Elle Townsend's Rapid Ascent

  4. Jul 10

    The Unwritten Rules Of Body Bagging, Is Dinking Below 4.0 Is A Joke? & Best Ball Machine Drills

    Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15 Rick is BACK in the studio, and we are skipping the fluff to answer the internet's most controversial pickleball questions! We dive deep into the forums to tackle the ultimate Reddit debate: Is dinking below a 4.0 level actually useless? Rick aggressively shuts down the "bang-everything" mentality, explaining why mastering the soft game is your only true ticket to leveling up, extending rallies, and breaking down hard hitters. Plus, if you were stranded on an island with a ball machine, what is the one drill you should run? Rick gives us his million-dollar target practice routine (hint: master the deep backhand slice return). Things get heated when the guys debate the unwritten rules of court etiquette. Is it ever acceptable to "body bag" a female opponent in mixed doubles? Should you hold back against older players in rec play, or is taking it easy the ultimate sign of disrespect? We cover everything from mid-match sportsmanship and the psychology of positive self-talk, to whether expensive paddles are just a placebo. Tune in, level up your strategy, and let's talk pickleball!

    The Unwritten Rules Of Body Bagging, Is Dinking Below 4.0 Is A Joke? & Best Ball Machine Drills

  5. Jun 26

    The Truth About "Going Pro": AC Baby (Alex Crum) Keeps It a Buck

    Links:  Buy an Aireo Cyclone: Save 10% using code FABIAN10 Buy an RPM Friction Pro: Save 15% using code FABIAN15 Think the pro pickleball lifestyle is all first-class flights, massive paddle contracts, and easy money? Think again. We sit down with the PPA Tour's ultimate giant-killer and Columbus Sliders singles specialist, Alex "AC Baby" Crum, to completely shatter the illusion of the pro tour. If you've ever thought about quitting your 9-to-5 to chase the pickleball dream, this episode is the ultimate reality check you desperately need to hear before turning in your resignation letter. AC Baby is here to keep it a buck on what it actually takes to survive as a touring professional. In this unfiltered conversation, Alex pulls back the curtain on the brutal financial math of the tour, revealing that traveling to tournaments costs an average of $1,400 out of pocket every single week for flights, hotels, rental cars, and meals. With the PPA shifting to a performance-based tennis model, Alex drops a heavy warning to young grinders: unless you are firmly in the Top 10 in the world or a top-tier content creator like Anna Bright, you cannot survive on paddle deals and winnings alone. Tune in to hear how Alex balances working a full-time tennis coaching job with knocking off legends like Ben Johns and Federico Staksrud, and a surprise announcement about an upcoming Dallas Worlds rap collaboration with Fabian. Hit play and get the real story! Timestamps:  00:00 Alex Crum Intro 00:48 Bourbon Talk 05:00 Pickleball Origins 06:59 Early Pro Tournaments 09:23 Breakout Wins and Injury 12:24 Rapper Backstory 17:15 Authenticity Online 20:39 Pro Life Money 26:58 Storytelling In Pickleball 27:42 Standout Pickleball Content 29:51 MLP Draft and Team Fit 32:21 Dream Breakers and Pressure 34:11 Building Team Chemistry 36:05 Travel and Ownership Support 37:00 Rap Names and Tour Banter 38:57 Andrei Mindset and Elite Doubles 41:52 Signature Shot Breakdown 43:11 Gear Talk Eyewear and Grips 47:30 Blind Ranking White Rappers 49:17 Dallas Worlds Theme Song 51:48 Closing Thoughts and Where to Follow

    The Truth About "Going Pro": AC Baby (Alex Crum) Keeps It a Buck

  6. Jun 19

    From Chessmaster to Singles Specialist With John Lucian Goins

    Links:  Buy an Aireo Cyclone and save 10% with code FABIAN10 Buy an RPM Friction Pro or Q2 and save 15% with code FABIAN15 This week, host Fabian holds down the studio while Rick is out in full swing crushing tennis and pickleball lessons. Fabian sits down with the man of many names—PPA Tour World No. 6 singles phenom and St. Louis Shock weapon, John Lucian Goins. We unpack a wild, full-circle realization as John reveals that our very own Rick Witsken was actually his first-ever tennis coach at age four, complete with memories of post-practice Jolly Ranchers! Fast forward to age 15, and John completely walked away from a promising pro tennis development track to dominate the pickleball landscape within 48 hours of a random Florida rainstorm changing his athletic destiny forever. In this exclusive sit-down, we map out his incredible journey From Chessmaster to Singles Specialist. Johnny G pulls back the curtain on how his legendary 953-day unbroken Chess.com streak acts as a daily cognitive weapon to decode opponent tendencies, read lightning-fast hands battles, and maintain an impenetrable flow state on court. We also get an unfiltered inside look at the St. Louis Shock—the youngest, highest-energy squad in Major League Pickleball. John details the suffocating psychological pressure of modern MLP Dreambreakers, the mechanics behind his signature two-handed backhand cross-court drop, and drops massive breaking news regarding his committed second-half 2026 doubles partnerships with tour veteran Tyler Loong and Victoria Dimuzio. Grab your paddles, get your feet set, and let's dive in! Timestamps:  00:00 Meet Johnny G 00:54 Chess Streak Talk 02:17 Tennis Roots Indiana 04:40 Rainy Day Pickleball 05:52 Why Pickleball Wins 08:11 Chess Mindset Edge 12:43 First Tournaments Breakthrough 15:00 Training Crew Bradenton 17:08 PPA Rise And Medals 19:09 Shock Dreambreaker Role 21:08 Pressure And Team Chemistry 24:00 Young Team Chemistry 24:56 Keeping Focus Balance 25:52 Country Music Roots 27:10 Pre Match Mindset 28:08 Season Goals Ahead 30:39 Crowd Energy Flow 31:18 Qualifier Advice Networking 33:01 Doubles Partners Plans 34:45 Signature Third Shot Drop 36:34 Gear Picks Wristbands 39:04 Tough Singles Matchups 40:47 Wrap Up Worlds Plans

    From Chessmaster to Singles Specialist With John Lucian Goins

  7. Jun 12

    Why The Aireo Cyclone Is Taking Over the Internet with Matthias Kling and Scarlett Chen

    Use code FABIAN10 to SAVE 10% off the Aireo Cyclone!! In this episode Fabian sits down with Scarlett Chen and Matthias Kling, the visionary co-founders behind Aireo Sports, to break down the incredible internet hype and cutting-edge paddle technology behind the Aireo Cyclone—the exact paddle that just carried Fabian to his very first 3.5 gold medal. From a chance meeting on a flight from Paris to Shanghai to combining a 20-year background in materials physics research with global supply chains, discover how this dynamic duo is completely disrupting the multi-million dollar paddle market. Matthias, a literal physicist, pulls back the curtain on paddle engineering, exposing how major brands use deceptive "titanium" marketing and why cheap spray-on grit can actually make a paddle illegal over time. They dive deep into the design matrix of the viral Cyclone paddle, explaining how pro player Levi Daniels aggressively helped them fine-tune its balance, weight, and unmatched control across 12 different prototypes.  Plus, the team drops massive announcements—including the market metrics behind their brand-new Hybrid Cyclone, an exclusive "Godzilla" partnership launching in Japan this July, and a deeply emotional look at how their global ambassadors are using pickleball to inspire cancer survivors worldwide. Tune in for the ultimate masterclass in viral paddle tech! Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Guests 00:51 Host Paddle Story 01:40 Scarlett Background 03:15 Matthias Research Roots 05:03 Why Pickleball Innovates 07:36 How They Met 11:13 Titanium Paddle Breakthrough 14:07 From Hawk to Cyclone 15:43 Rapid Prototyping in China 20:35 Grit Durability and Rules 21:42 Cyclone Feel and Tuning 24:56 Finding Trusted Pros 25:12 Finding Elite Testers 27:10 Keeping The Line Simple 28:20 Why A Hybrid Paddle 32:25 Grassroots Word Of Mouth 33:13 Next Wave Paddle Tech 39:37 Tour Players And Growth 42:13 Global Expansion And Godzilla 45:27 Pricing Under $200 47:47 Ambassadors And Stories 50:34 Where To Buy And Wrap Up

    Why The Aireo Cyclone Is Taking Over the Internet with Matthias Kling and Scarlett Chen

  8. Jun 1

    Road to 4.0: We're Officially Going to the World Championships!

    WE ARE DALLAS BOUND! ✈️🤠 Fabian won GOLD and officially punched his ticket to the PPA World Championships! In this episode, we are taking you inside the emotional roller coaster of our recent tournament run at the Greatest Spectacle Qualifier. Fabian kicks things off with a raw, completely honest recap of his first-ever singles bracket—where a brutal 0-5 run provided a massive reality check (and a hilarious way to spin a loss by "lowering his opponents' DUPR scores"). But the real magic happens in the 3.5 doubles division. We take you play-by-play through his journey, detailing how he shook off an early pool-play loss, executed a clutch mid-match strategy shift using tactical stacking, and rode an aggressive driving strategy all the way to a Gold Medal! 🥇 Rick breaks down the exact science behind the triumph, using our real-match adjustments to teach a masterclass in tournament survival. We dive deep into why losing the same way twice is the biggest mistake amateur players make, and drop elite coaching nuggets on footwork, mechanics, and court positioning. We also cover the massive NPL rebrand to CSP (Champions Series Pickleball) and share how you can get your squad into the upcoming summer session of the Indiana Pickleball League! TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Indy 500 Pageantry & Mindset 03:00 - How to Handle Outdoor Rain Delays 05:30 - NPL Rebrands to CSP (Champions Series Pickleball) 06:40 - Fabian's 0-5 Singles Reality Check 09:00 - Rick's "No Man's Land" Transition Masterclass 14:40 - 3 Reasons You SHOULD Play Singles 16:00 - The Stacking & Driving Strategy That Won Fabian Doubles GOLD! 21:00 - Changing Your Tactic: Don't Lose the Same Way Twice 24:50 - Pickleball Footwork: Banish the Crisscross Step 28:10 - Should Amateurs Drop Back Off the Kitchen Line? 31:00 - Fixing the Service Yips & Mixing Up Your Serves 33:00 - Indiana Pickleball League Summer Session Registration 35:40 - The "One-Thing" Rule to Explode Your Skill

    Road to 4.0: We're Officially Going to the World Championships!
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About

Join host and Senior Pro Rick Witsken as he sits down with the sport's biggest names to uncover their stories. With a unique perspective from his own career and deep connections to the pro tours, Rick facilitates a fun and inspiring deep dive into their personal "why"—how they found the sport, the sacrifices they've made, and the lessons they've learned along the way. Whether you're a new player or a seasoned veteran, you'll get pro tips, stay up to date on all the latest tour news, and leave every episode with a fresh perspective on the game we all love. From the court to the clubhouse, we're telling the stories that make pickleball great. This is more than a game—This Is Pickleball.

Information

  • Creator
    Rick Witsken & Fabian Rodriguez
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    25
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Culture Collaborative Media 2025
  • Show Website
    This is Pickleball

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