This is Pickleball

Rick Witsken & Fabian Rodriguez

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. Oct 26

    Why Blaine Hovenier Chose Pickleball Over Investment Banking

    Rick's out on court, so Fabian sits down with PPA pro Blaine Hovenier. Blaine played college tennis at UCLA, earned a master's in finance at SMU and was headed for investment banking. Then pickleball happened. He'd played fewer than 10 times when he entered his first tournament and lost first round of qualies, and he got hooked anyway. Blaine walks through turning down the finance path, signing with the PPA, taking Fed and Pablo to three games, and why being a bigger guy is no help when someone 5'3" with fast hands is across the kitchen. He also explains what clicked practicing next to Ben Johns and names his dream partners, Jack Sock, Dekel and the Kawamotos. He breaks down his signature backhand counter for rec players and shares his comeback timeline after a disc injury. Off the court, there's plenty for the Worlds crowd: a full Dallas food and coffee guide, the Rolex he bought with pickleball money, his coffee-finder app Java Snobz, and his dream of a coffee shop with two pickleball courts. 🏓 Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10 🏓 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15 Key Takeaways Tennis to finance to pro. After UCLA tennis and a finance master's, Blaine played his first tournament in 2023 and lost first round of qualies. He passed on a job offer to give pickleball one year, then signed with the PPA in early 2024. Size isn't an edge at the kitchen. Blaine says bigger players hit diminishing returns and get targeted more. His ideal build is 5'11" to 6'1": enough reach, and still able to move. Playing next to Ben Johns means letting him cook. As a right-side player, Blaine says he played about 25% of the court in practice with Ben, and life got easy. He also says Max Freeman "killed it" next to Ben this MLP season. Backhand counter fundamentals. Hit down, not through. Close the paddle face slightly, aim at your opponent's legs so their next ball comes up, and stay planted instead of jumping on speed-ups. The comeback plan. Blaine hurt a disc in July and is rehabbing daily. He's hoping to return at a Malibu tournament in December or at Masters. He'll be at Worlds in Dallas and may do some commentating. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Blaine joins the show 01:23 Pickleball Eats & St. Louis smashburgers 02:53 Coffee-first travel 04:13 Building the Java Snobz app 06:16 UCLA tennis to Wall Street plans 10:01 First tournament reality check 12:00 Why size doesn't win 14:40 The perfect pickleball build 15:46 Going all in & signing with the PPA 18:13 Paying the bills as a new pro 20:25 The back injury 21:41 Off-court training: squats over curls 25:15 New faces on tour 26:48 Playing next to Ben Johns 28:37 Comeback plans & dream partners 31:01 What makes a great partner 34:21 Living in the comments 35:32 Worlds plans & a sprint vs. Nico 37:03 Dallas food & coffee guide 41:09 The Rolex & the pro watch chat 44:32 Signature Shot: the backhand counter 48:07 Six Zero, Skechers & a signature shoe? 50:55 Current obsession: coffee 52:58 Jimmy Butler's $50 bubble espresso 55:12 Wrap-up

    Why Blaine Hovenier Chose Pickleball Over Investment Banking
  2. Oct 26 ·  Bonus

    You Might Enjoy: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing Vinh Giang: How to Communicate So People Actually Listen to You from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Communication expert Vinh Giang joins Jay to share practical tools from his first book, Before We Forget How to Connect, to help you become a more confident communicator and build deeper, more meaningful connections. Vinh explains how to become a better listener, avoid common communication mistakes, and speak so people actually pay attention. From sounding confident when you're nervous to speaking up in meetings, navigating difficult conversations, and making a great first impression, Vinh shares simple techniques to help you communicate more effectively and connect with people in every area of your life. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Instagram Teen Accounts: Built-in protections for teens. JAY'S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Before We Forget How To Connect 01:52 The High-Low Buffalo Icebreaker 02:45 Sharing Personal Highs 05:15 Sharing Personal Lows 11:40 Sharing Personal Buffalos 13:40 Escaping Small Talk 16:10 Overcoming Self-Judgment 17:58 Sharing Wins Without Sounding Arrogant 19:50 Communication Beyond The Script 20:40 Gen Z's Communication Struggles 23:20 Last Word, Last Letter Game 27:20 The Four Modalities Of Listening 29:50 The Three Follow-Up Questions Rule 35:50 How Do You Make A Great First Impression? 40:10 Reading the Room, Not Formulas 44:10 Finding Your Unique Voice 49:00 Life As A Book: New Chapters 50:40 Building Executive Presence 53:20 Fix Your Resting Blank Face 58:30 Filming Yourself For Self-Awareness 01:02:20 When Your Mind Goes Blank 01:06:10 The Power Of The Pause 01:09:30 How Can You Sound Confident When You’re Nervous? 01:14:40 From Texting Chemistry to Real-Life Connection 01:18:40 How to Communicate Better During Arguments 01:20:20 Learning to Speak Up In Meetings 01:25:45 How to Join a Conversation Without Feeling Awkward 01:28:20 Leaving A Conversation Gracefully 01:31:4 Embracing Vulnerability Episode Resources: Book | https://vinhgiang.com/before-we-forget-how-to-connect Website | https://vinhgiang.com/ YouTube | https://youtube.com/@askvinh Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/share/1CCPX1ChrP/?mibextid=wwXIfr LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinhgiang Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    You Might Enjoy: On Purpose with Jay Shetty
  3. Oct 13

    The Top 10 States for 5.0 Pickleball Players

    Rick and Fabian are back in person at 3rd Shot Pickleball to recap the Great Pumpkin Paddle Battle. Signups sat at 30 three weeks out and finished at 150, and the open singles division sold out with $500 to the winner. Then they get into DUPR's new data: only 1% of rated players are 5.0 or above, almost a third sit between 3.0 and 3.49, and Florida and California lead the country in 5.0 players. Rick says 5% of the world thinks they're a 5.0, and he has a message for anyone blaming a DUPR drop on their partner: stop making excuses. From there, the guys argue about whether Indiana could ever become a pickleball hotbed. Rick says no for a training base and yes for a big event, and they make the case for Grand Park and Chatham Hills. Rick also explains why he looks away at contact, when you should still watch the ball into your paddle, and what he thinks Ben Johns is really focused on. Plus a SpongeBob paddle from Volair, Rick's CSP season, his December camps, and the most unexpected pre-match playlist on tour. 🏓 Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10 🏓 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15 Key Takeaways DUPR says only 1% of rated players are 5.0+. 84% haven't reached 4.0, and 3.0–3.49 is the biggest group at 29%. Being a 3-something is the middle of the pack, not below it. Warm weather drives the 5.0 map. Florida (277) and California (238) lead, followed by Utah (110) and Texas (108). Arizona didn't make the top 10, and Rick puts that down to its retirement communities. Indiana can host big events but won't become a training hub. Rick says no beach, no mountains and five indoor months keep pros away. Fabian pitches Grand Park and Chatham Hills for a major event, and a Minor League Pickleball state qualifier may be coming to Third Shot in December. How much to watch the ball depends on your level. Rick says 2.5–3.5 players should watch the paddle hit the ball, while 4.0 and up should read it off the opponent's paddle and prepare earlier. Use your DUPR as fuel, not an alibi. Rick's message is to use it as bulletin board material and stop making excuses for drops. TIMESTAMPS:  00:00 Welcome back to Third Shot 00:14 Great Pumpkin Paddle Battle recap 02:18 Running a tournament while playing in it 03:16 The 16-year-old trying to go pro 05:24 Please sign up early 06:25 Kristen's last-minute mixed gold 07:42 Fundamentals vs. sizzle 08:43 Only 1% are rated 5.0+ 10:02 How CSP pods split by DUPR 10:59 Why top players come from other sports 13:05 Being a 3-something isn't below average 13:56 Stop making DUPR excuses 14:44 DUPR's rating distribution 16:05 Top 10 states for 5.0 players 19:38 Could Indiana become a pickleball hotbed? 23:19 Where Indy could host a pro event 24:50 Pro events Indy has already hosted 25:20 Should you watch the ball? 28:41 What Ben Johns is focused on 30:15 Volair SpongeBob paddle unboxing 32:28 Rick's CSP season & December camps 34:38 Rick's pre-match playlist

    The Top 10 States for 5.0 Pickleball Players
  4. Sep 23

    Sean Munoz (JuanSeanPB) on Sean O'Malley, Volair & Going Viral

    Fabian sits down with comedy creator Sean Munoz, JuanSeanPB on social media, to talk about how a guy who thought pickleball was "the dumbest looking thing ever" in 2021 became Volair's go-to creator. Sean breaks down his day at Sean O'Malley's Pickleball Dojo, what happens now that 12-year-olds won't let you lob them, why every pro outside the top 10 needs to be making content, and the difference between a 6-million-view meme and followers who actually stick around. Then they get into the fun stuff: Volair's blind-bag paddle drops and why only 10 gold Spider-Man paddles exist, Sean's sweat problem and his grip ritual, Fabian's color-coordinated paddle prep, and a no-excuses guide for new creators. Sean films almost everything on his phone. If you've ever wanted to start posting pickleball content, this one's your push. 🏓 Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10 🏓 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15 Key Takeaways The juniors are here. Sean says a 4.5 tournament from 2021 is probably a 3.5 now. At a PPA 5.0, if you're not conditioned and drilling, you won't get out of the first round. Views aren't followers. Sean's crying-kid meme hit 6–7 million views and pulled in college kids who weren't there for pickleball. Decide whether you're chasing followers or views. Pros outside the top 10 need content. In Sean's view, only the top five to 10 players can skip content. Everyone else has to keep their face out there to build a brand. Quality beats volume. Don't burn out posting four times a day. Post every other day, make the videos better, and stay consistent through the ups and downs. Your phone is enough. Sean has shot about 98% of three years of content on his iPhone, edits mostly in CapCut, and says the real barrier is being willing to film in front of people. CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome JuanSeanPB 01:10 Pickleball with Sean O'Malley at the Dojo 02:34 Does athleticism translate to pickleball? 04:36 How Sean found pickleball 07:52 Tournament life & the rise of the juniors 10:28 Why Sean started making content 13:08 Staying consistent & signing with Volair 16:36 Views vs. followers 17:33 Brand deals & keeping the day job 19:31 Why pros need to make content 22:14 Quality over quantity & burnout 23:15 Fabian's fitness story 26:36 Inside the Volair partnership 31:27 Bodhi grips & the sweat problem 32:44 Paddle prep & nasty overgrips 34:58 Dream collabs 38:12 Where the content gaps are 40:21 Storytelling: Embedded, Shock & Awe, comedy 43:02 Advice for new creators 45:32 Phone-only filming setup 48:29 CapCut vs. Edits 49:38 Practice editing & getting comfy on camera 51:21 Guest discount codes & shout-outs Follow Sean: @juanseanpb (code juanseanpb for Volair & Bodhi)

    Sean Munoz (JuanSeanPB) on Sean O'Malley, Volair & Going Viral
  5. Sep 18

    Ben Shelton's WILD US Open Run

    🏓 Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10 🏓 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15 Rick is back after an incredible two-week stint in New York City supporting his nephew, Ben Shelton, during his epic US Open run! Rick and Fabian unpack the entire experience—from playing pickleball in the middle of Times Square to the high-stakes, late-night drama on Arthur Ashe Stadium. They dive into the controversy surrounding late-night scheduling, serve clock violations, and how the mental grit required at the top levels of tennis translates directly to the pickleball court. Plus, the guys talk pro pickleball updates, including the PPA signing its youngest pro ever (Maverick!), Rick's ongoing journey with Championship Series Pickleball (CSP), and a game-changing mental tip to help intermediate players push past the 4.0 threshold. Key Takeaways: The Youth Surge in Pickleball: Maverick was recently signed to the PPA Tour, overtaking Cam Chafian as the youngest signed PPA pro. US Open Rule Adjustments Needed: Late-night match scheduling and inconsistent serve clock enforcement severely affect player recovery and rhythm—lessons pro tennis could learn from pickleball's pace of play. Mental Toughness Over Outcome: Transitioning from an outcome-based mindset to a process-driven mindset ("Pressure is a privilege") is the key to breaking past plateaus like 4.0. The Witsken Legacy: Ben Shelton's journey carries deep spiritual and family roots tied to his late uncle Todd Witsken's historic US Open win over Jimmy Connors 40 years ago. Bold Prediction: Rick predicts Ben Shelton will win multiple Grand Slams and eventually reach the #1 world ranking. Timestamps:  00:00 – Welcome Back Rick & Cam Chafian Recap 00:40 – Maverick Signs to PPA: Youngest Signed Pro 02:19 – Times Square Pickleball & Merging Paddle & Racket Sports 05:16 – US Open Atmosphere & The Todd Witsken Legacy 08:37 – Ben Shelton's Match Run & Late-Night Practice Routine 09:21 – The Late-Night Match Controversy & Sleep Impact 13:09 – Ben Shelton's Celebrity & Tiafoe Match Gamesmanship 16:17 – Tennis Serve Clock vs. Pickleball Timeouts 22:09 – Ben Shelton's Role Model Mindset & 9/11 Tribute 25:34 – Why Rick Wears Pink Shirts 27:50 – Family Celebration & Trinity Support 31:00 – Rick's Grand Slam & #1 World Ranking Prediction 36:21 – Pickleball Tip of the Week: Pressure is a Privilege 38:56 – CSP Columbus Announcement & Third Shot Pickleball

    Ben Shelton's WILD US Open Run
  6. Sep 14

    Camden Chaffin: How a 15-Year-Old Became the Youngest Signed Male PPA Pro

    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! Fabian is holding down the fort while Rick recovers from watching his nephew Ben Shelton tear up the US Open. On this episode, we're joined by a true prodigy: Camden Chaffin, the youngest signed male professional player on the PPA Tour. Cam shares his mind-blowing journey from picking up a wooden paddle during the pandemic at age nine to taking down top-ranked legends on the professional court just a few years later. Cam opens up about the friction of beating grown adults as a 12-year-old, switching to online school to join the PPA Tour exclusively, and his massive singles upset over Federico Staksrud in Minnesota. Plus, he breaks down the mechanics behind his signature two-handed backhand roll dink, offers actionable singles strategy tips for beginner/intermediate players, and discusses his gear switch to Paddletek and Pilla eyewear. Tune in for an inside look at the new generation taking over professional pickleball! Key Takeaways Rapid Rise Without Tennis Background: Cam picked up a wooden paddle at age 9 in 2020 with no prior racket sport experience, winning US Open 4.5 gold (19+ division) at age 11 before turning pro at 12. Overcoming Age Friction: In his early junior years, local tournaments created age limits specifically to prevent him from entering because adult competitors hated losing to a 12-year-old. Giant-Killing Blueprint: Earned his career-defining PPA singles victory over world top-tier pro Federico Staksrud in Minnesota, utilizing high-level court geometry and patience learned from watching Ben Johns and Anna Leigh Waters. Pro Gear Upgrades: Transitioned paddle sponsorship from Pickle to Paddletek (playing with the Honeycomb Foam/prototype series) and advocates heavily for protective eyewear like Pilla to eliminate light glares and prevent direct eye impacts. Singles Tactical Advice: When approaching the kitchen in singles, play heavy through the deep middle to reduce passing angles, only attacking wide angles when you have explicitly pulled your opponent off-balance. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Intro & Rick Witsken's Absence (US Open Ben Shelton Recap) 00:16 – Welcoming Youngest Signed PPA Pro Camden Chaffin 00:29 – Watching Ben Shelton vs. Carlos Alcaraz 01:11 – Cam's Pandemic Origins: Wooden Paddles to Permanent Courts 02:01 – Transitioning from Travel Baseball to Full-Time Pickleball 03:07 – Winning Gold at the US Open (4.5 Division) at Age 11 04:06 – Developing a Two-Handed Backhand Without Racket Sport Experience 05:43 – Switching to Online School & Taking Pickleball Pro 07:22 – Winning First APP Pro Match at 12 Years Old 08:35 – Local Tournaments Created Age Limits to Stop Him 10:06 – Getting the Call: Signing Exclusively with the PPA Tour 11:41 – The Youth Wave: PPA Juniors & The Next Generation 13:10 – Modeling His Game After Ben Johns, Anna Leigh Waters & Chris Haworth 14:24 – How the Younger Generation is Changing the Pro Pace 15:16 – Partnering with Chris Haworth & Brooke Buckner 17:35 – Massive Singles Upset: Beating Federico Staksrud in Minnesota 18:50 – Hardest Matches: Facing JW Johnson, Hunter Johnson & Chris Haworth 20:42 – Surviving 112-Degree Heat at PPA North Carolina 22:24 – Rookie MLP Season with the Phoenix Flames 26:34 – Favorite Venues: Disney, NYC & Beer City Open 28:09 – Partnering with CJ Klinger (The All-Ohio Team) 28:46 – Gear & Eye Protection: Why Cam Wears Pilla Eyewear 30:44 – Masterclass: Executing the Two-Handed Backhand Roll Dink 32:12 – Pro Singles Strategy: Approaching Through the Middle 32:52 – Pre-Game Playlist & Meal Prep (Drake, Olive Garden & Chipotle) 35:05 – Switching to Paddletek Gear & Discount Codes

    Camden Chaffin: How a 15-Year-Old Became the Youngest Signed Male PPA Pro
  7. Sep 10

    BEATING ALCARAZ AT 3 AM! Rick's Insane US Open Story

    Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15 Rick joins us LIVE from NYC, direct from the US Open, following one of the most athletic and electrifying tennis matches in recent history: Ben Shelton's jaw-dropping, late-night victory over Carlos Alcaraz that ended after 3:00 AM. As Ben's uncle, Rick shares an intimate, behind-the-scenes look from the player's box, detailing the spiritual connection to his late brother Todd Whitsken, the incredible family legacy, and what it felt like starting "USA!" chants inside Arthur Ashe Stadium in the dead of night. We dive deep into the sheer athleticism on display, analyzing how Ben's high-level anticipation and 146 MPH serves helped him pull off the upset. They also tackle the tournament's controversial late-night scheduling, preview the high-stakes all-American semi-final matchup between Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, and touch on how pickleball players can apply elite pro-tennis mentalities to their own game. Key Takeaways Historic Upset at 3 AM: Ben Shelton pulled off an extraordinary 5-set victory over Carlos Alcaraz in a match that lasted until 3:00 AM, marked by a booming 146 MPH match-point ace. Deep Family Legacy: Ben's middle name is Todd, honoring Rick's late brother and former tennis pro Todd Whitsken, giving this US Open run deep emotional and spiritual meaning for the family. Pro Anticipation & Vision: Ben's insane court coverage comes from elite anticipation and acute awareness—even noticing Rick walk across the arena concourse mid-match! Scheduling Controversy: Late-night 3 AM finishes harm fan experience and player welfare; Rick proposes moving potential 5-setters earlier and shifting 2-out-of-3 doubles matches to secondary slots. Mental Toughness Transfer: Pickleball players can level up by studying the mental resilience, body language, and high-pressure focus of top-tier athletes like Shelton, Alcaraz, and Tiafoe.

  8. Aug 21

    DUPR CEO, Tito Machado

    Save 10% on an Aireo Cyclone Paddle! Use code FABIAN10 Save 15% on an RPM Paddle! Use code FABIAN15 We welcomed the CEO of DUPR, Tito Machado, to the podcast for an honest conversation about the most talked-about, debated, and scrutinized rating system in sports. Tito opened up about his journey from Silicon Valley and tennis facility management to taking the reins at DUPR during its wildest growth phase. Before diving into the algorithm, we caught up on his intense training for Ironman Lanzarote—one of the toughest races on earth—and how pushing his limits on the bike gives him a much-needed mental break from rating calculations. We tackled the tough questions head-on with Tito: Why do players go down in rating after a win? Is the $6M/year platform running a "money grab," or are players simply misunderstanding how calibration works? We explored the truth behind match reliability, algorithm decay, age-group categories, and why your rating reflects your average performance rather than your best day. Rick shared his perspective on how DUPR impacts pro match dynamics, while Tito reminded us all why a four-digit number shouldn't define our identity on the court. Key Takeaways Wins Don't Always Mean Rating Increases: In 85% of matches, winners move up. The remaining 15% drop due to expectation metrics—DUPR calibrates your total body of data relative to expected performance, rather than operating as a ladder-style reward system. Universal Scale vs. Age Fragmentation: Pickleball's unique cross-generational play is backed by data—20% of all DUPR matches feature non-traditional gender lineups, and high-level 60+ players consistently compete with younger power players. The Cost of Running DUPR: DUPR spends roughly $6 million annually on engineering, staff, events, and college programs. Features like the DUPR Reset were designed to clean up data points for the "True North" algorithm while helping fund ongoing platform costs. Reliability Controls Volatility: A 100% reliable score won't spike after one big win because a single match represents only 1% of that player's history. Big jumps require consistent over-performance across multiple consecutive matches. DUPR Is Calibration, Not Identity: Your score measures your average day on the court, not your peak performance. Stop treating your rating as a status symbol and focus on drilling, fitness, and smarter court decisions. Timestamps:  00:00 Welcome Tito Machado 00:54 Ironman Training Mindset 03:05 From Tennis to DUPR 04:41 DUPR Origins Timeline 07:09 Why Ratings Matter 08:37 Legacy Ratings Explained 11:52 One System or Many 14:33 Verve and AI Ratings 15:28 Winning Yet Dropping 17:54 Calibration Not Ranking 22:15 Decay and Volatility 30:13 Accuracy at English Open 31:28 Ratings Need Fixing 32:54 Reliability Explained 37:34 Why Ratings Jump 38:49 Reset Controversy 41:50 Singles Doubles Mixed 43:39 Age Ratings Debate 47:05 Winning But Dropping 50:09 Accuracy Over Feelings 54:30 Improve Skill Not Score 55:57 DUPR Is Not You

    DUPR CEO, Tito Machado

Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
4 Ratings

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.

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