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.
This is Pickleball
Claim This Podcastby Rick Witsken & Fabian Rodriguez
4.0(4 reviews)
19 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
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.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/24/2025
1 verified contact email on file for This is Pickleball
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Recent Episodes
June 12, 2026
Why The Aireo Cyclone Is Taking Over the Internet with Matthias Kling and Scarlett Chen
<p dir="ltr">Use code FABIAN10 to SAVE 10% off the Aireo Cyclone!!</p> <p dir="ltr">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.</p> <p dir="ltr">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. </p> <p dir="ltr">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!</p> <p dir="ltr">Timestamps:<br /> 00:00 Welcome and Guests<br /> 00:51 Host Paddle Story<br /> 01:40 Scarlett Background<br /> 03:15 Matthias Research Roots<br /> 05:03 Why Pickleball Innovates<br /> 07:36 How They Met<br /> 11:13 Titanium Paddle Breakthrough<br /> 14:07 From Hawk to Cyclone<br /> 15:43 Rapid Prototyping in China<br /> 20:35 Grit Durability and Rules<br /> 21:42 Cyclone Feel and Tuning<br /> 24:56 Finding Trusted Pros<br /> 25:12 Finding Elite Testers<br /> 27:10 Keeping The Line Simple<br /> 28:20 Why A Hybrid Paddle<br /> 32:25 Grassroots Word Of Mouth<br /> 33:13 Next Wave Paddle Tech<br /> 39:37 Tour Players And Growth<br /> 42:13 Global Expansion And Godzilla<br /> 45:27 Pricing Under $200<br /> 47:47 Ambassadors And Stories<br /> 50:34 Where To Buy And Wrap Up<br /> <br /></p> <p dir="ltr"> </p> <p> </p>
June 1, 2026
Road to 4.0: We're Officially Going to the World Championships!
<p>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").</p> <p>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! 🥇</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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!</p> <p>TIMESTAMPS:<br /> 00:00 - Indy 500 Pageantry & Mindset<br /> 03:00 - How to Handle Outdoor Rain Delays<br /> 05:30 - NPL Rebrands to CSP (Champions Series Pickleball)<br /> 06:40 - Fabian's 0-5 Singles Reality Check<br /> 09:00 - Rick's "No Man's Land" Transition Masterclass<br /> 14:40 - 3 Reasons You SHOULD Play Singles<br /> 16:00 - The Stacking & Driving Strategy That Won Fabian Doubles GOLD!<br /> 21:00 - Changing Your Tactic: Don't Lose the Same Way Twice<br /> 24:50 - Pickleball Footwork: Banish the Crisscross Step<br /> 28:10 - Should Amateurs Drop Back Off the Kitchen Line?<br /> 31:00 - Fixing the Service Yips & Mixing Up Your Serves<br /> 33:00 - Indiana Pickleball League Summer Session Registration<br /> 35:40 - The "One-Thing" Rule to Explode Your Skill</p>
May 15, 2026
How to Find the Perfect Pickleball Partner
<p dir="ltr">What actually makes a "good" partner? It isn't just a DUPR rating. In this episode, Rick Witsken and Fabian Rodriguez break down the intricate dance of pickleball partnerships. Rick shares his "Big Rick" philosophy on taking the middle, the importance of high EQ during timeouts, and why phrasing your suggestions as "we" instead of "you" can be the difference between a gold medal and a blowout.</p> <p dir="ltr">We also recap a wild weekend in the PPA, featuring the "Tama Time" phenomenon—a 15-year-old surfer from Hawaii who just put the pro circuit on notice. Rick shares a major personal announcement about his return to the Indy Drivers, and Fabian gears up for his "Revenge Tour 2026." From deep-dive strategy on singles serving to the upcoming Summer Series at Third Shot Pickleball, this episode is packed with the insights you need to level up your game.<br /> <br /> Timestamps:<br /> 00:00 Welcome and Subscribe<br /> 00:59 Upcoming Events Rundown<br /> 01:27 Interclub Combine Details<br /> 03:17 Indoor vs Outdoor Debate<br /> 04:41 Third Shot Summer Series<br /> 08:21 Citywide and Fall Events<br /> 10:19 Fabian Tournament Updates<br /> 12:44 Rick Returns to CSP<br /> 14:59 CSP Format and Expansion<br /> 18:03 PPA Finals Recap<br /> 24:18 Mixed Doubles Recap<br /> 25:06 Tama Time Breakout<br /> 27:16 New Blood Rising<br /> 28:45 Partnerships Docuseries<br /> 30:20 Finding The Right Fit<br /> 32:58 Partner EQ And Trust<br /> 35:31 Strategy With New Partners<br /> 37:41 Communication On Court<br /> 41:22 Mixed Dynamics And Timeouts<br /> 43:15 How To Find Partners<br /> 46:23 Mixed Vs Gender Doubles<br /> 48:06 Singles Tournament Tips<br /> 51:34 Closing Shoutouts<br /> <br /></p> <p> </p>
19 total episodes available
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- What is This is Pickleball?
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