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.
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.
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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
23 Sept 2026
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.
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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)
18 Sept 2026
Ben Shelton's WILD US Open Run
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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
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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