Fail First Podcast

Tom Webb, the Chief Marketing Officer of the world’s first pickleball tour, the APP Tour, sat down with us for 2 hours! Here’s what you can learn from his journey…

🔗Link in Channel. ‪@TheAPPTour‬

👉 Key Takeaways:
    1    Embrace Opportunities in Emerging Sports: Tom Webb chose to transition from global giants like Formula One and Red Bull to the fast-paced and rapidly growing world of pickleball. His journey highlights the unique chance to shape the future of a sport, emphasizing that massive participation can happen in unexpected places.

    2    Building Community and Brand Through Storytelling: At the Association of Pickleball Players, Tom and his team aim to elevate players of all abilities, focusing on inclusivity and creating a tribal identity. Storytelling plays a crucial role in building community and establishing connections among players, fostering a sense of belonging.

    3    Strategic Growth and Credibility are Key: For pickleball to become an Olympic sport, it requires collaboration and an independent regulatory body. By maintaining competitive integrity and establishing solid governance, pickleball can expand its influence globally while attracting viewers and sponsors alike.


#pickleball #pickleballislife #pickleballaddicts #apptour #pickleballpaddle #marketingstrategy #failfirstpodcast

11 months ago | [YT] | 0

Fail First Podcast

We recently had the privilege of hosting Curtis Smith the CEO and Co-Founder of Paddletek, a leader in the pickleball industry. Curtis shared not only his journey from a small garage startup to becoming a gold standard in pickleball paddles but also delved into the importance of innovation and staying true to core values.

🔗Top of channel.

Here are some key takeaways from our enlightening conversation:
    •    Innovation & Consistency: Curtis emphasized the role of understanding physics in paddle technology, focusing on energy return, dwell time, and balance to ensure consistent performance without relying on gimmicks. This approach ensures Paddletek paddles offer superior performance that players can trust.

    •    Leadership & Culture: A supportive, team-oriented culture is vital. Curtis shared how his leadership style evolved to empower his team, encouraging open communication and collaboration. By allowing team members to share ideas and manage workload effectively, Paddletek fosters an environment of growth and innovation.

    •    Customer-Centric Values: Staying true to customer needs and manufacturing quality products in the USA remains a cornerstone for Paddletek. Despite challenges in sourcing materials, Curtis remains committed to delivering high-performing products that align with Paddletek’s values.

Tune in to the full episode for more insights on Curtis’s journey, leadership experiences, and the innovative process at Paddletek.

#entrepreneur #pickleball #paddletek #pickleballpaddle #pickleballislife #pickleballnews #failfirst

11 months ago | [YT] | 1

Fail First Podcast

On this episode, Elly Smith shares her incredible journey of transformational failure and success, turning her passion for pickleball into a thriving career:

🔗MOST RECENT EPISODE.

👉 Elly spoke about the transition from a stable job to pursuing a full-time career in pickleball. Her story illustrates the importance of embracing the unknown and being open to unexpected opportunities. It’s a true testament to her resilience and adaptability.

📸 As a content creator, Elly emphasizes the impact of authenticity in social media. By aligning with her unique style and staying true to her voice, she carved out a niche and built meaningful relationships with her audience. Her success highlights the value of genuine connections and consistent self-expression.

💡 For aspiring creators, Elly provides invaluable advice on approaching brands and collaborations: understanding your value, offering sincere proposals, and showing your passion can open numerous doors. Remember, sometimes showing rather than telling can make the biggest impression!

#pickleball #pickleballislife #pickleballers #pickleballnews #contentcreator #failfirst

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Fail First Podcast

🚨If you love pickleball this is a MUST LISTEN episode of all the BTS that happens in the pro pickleball world.🚨

WE JUST RELEASED an insightful conversation on the Fail First Podcast with David Hathaway, Co-Founder of Godfather Pickleball Agency.

Where we took a deep dive into the intricate world of pickleball contracts and the current landscape of professional pickleball. Here are some key takeaways:
    •    Complex Negotiations: Closing pickleball deals like the one with Gabe Tardio for $800k demands extensive negotiation skills, balancing concessions, and leveraging opportunities, like international play.

    •    Sponsorship Challenges: Despite the sport’s growth, securing significant sponsorships remains challenging for players. Emphasizing social media presence and creating unique content are crucial steps for up-and-coming pros.

    •    Financial Realities: Being a professional pickleball player can cost between $30k to $50k annually without guaranteed returns. Players are navigating a landscape where financial and contract structures are still evolving.
Catch the full episode to explore more behind-the-scenes stories of the pickleball world!

#pickleball #sportsbusiness #ppatour #pickleballislife #pickleballaddict #pickleballagency

Skip the Carousel

1 2

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Fail First Podcast

Excited to share some lessons from our episode with Collin Johns! We delved deep into managing nerves, embracing failure, and breaking the mold in sports and entrepreneurship.

Here are three key takeaways from our engaging conversation:
    •    Simplicity in Focus: Collin emphasizes the importance of keeping it simple under pressure. Whether in sports or life, overthinking can lead to negative outcomes. Staying present and focusing on your breathing can help navigate those overwhelming moments.

    •    Family and Mentorship: Having a strong support system is crucial. Collin credits his parents for instilling a mindset of giving 100% in everything he pursues. This foundation has allowed him to grow significantly in pickleball and his entrepreneurial ventures.

    •    Embrace Unique Paths: Collin shares the value of taking the road less traveled. In his tennis career, choosing unconventional methods, like having two forehands, highlighted the benefit of differentiating oneself from the norm, a valuable lesson for both sports and business.

#pickleball #pickleballislife #pickleballaddict #ppatour #mindset #pickleballtips #entrepreneurship

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Fail First Podcast

Had some fascinating insights from Tyler Glauser of Montis Pickleball 👇

🔗 ​Episode out now.

He shared his journey as a now business owner and pickleball enthusiast, unveiling the story behind Montis Pickleball shoes.

Here’s what we learned:

✅Solving Real Problems: Tyler’s lightbulb moment came from his own struggle to find suitable pickleball footwear. His solution? Designing a shoe specifically for the sport, highlighting the importance of directly addressing authentic needs.

✅Persistence Pays Off: Despite challenges like market saturation and production issues, Tyler emphasized the value of dedication, evolution, and continuous product improvement to meet customer expectations.

✅Power of Influencer Partnerships: Collaborating with key figures like pickleball influencer Ed Ju was a game-changer. The lesson? Building strategic relationships with influencers can significantly boost brand visibility and drive sales.

Tyler’s story showcases resilience, innovation, and savvy marketing in building a successful venture in pickleball shoes. For more profound insights, check out the full episode!

#entrepenuership #failfirst #pickleballshoes #businessgrowth #mindset #failfirstpodcast

1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Fail First Podcast

I had the pleasure of chatting with former Olympic skater and sports psychologist, Yvonne "Gogo" Gomez. Her journey from the rink to TV and eventually into the realm of mental performance coaching is nothing short of inspiring.

In this episode, Yvonne shares invaluable insights on mental resilience, the power of visualization, and maintaining focus under pressure. Here are three key takeaways:

Train Your Focus Muscle: Focus isn't just about staying dialed in; it's about mastering the art of resetting and coming back. Yvonne explained how treating focus as a muscle that can be trained through deliberate practice, such as tallying moments of distraction during a boring task, can help strengthen it over time.

Power of Visualization and Imagery: Visualization can be a game-changer, but Yvonne emphasized the importance of controlled imagery. By vividly imagining and feeling the act of performing your skill (like returning a serve in pickleball), you prepare your mind and body to execute under pressure. This form of mental rehearsal can make the difference between good and great performance.

Motivation Starts With Action: Instead of waiting to feel motivated, Yvonne advises taking action first. Whether it's putting on your gym clothes or driving to the gym, small actions can spark the motivation to keep going. This proactive approach can help break the cycle of inertia and propel you toward your goals.

Dive into Episode 32 to hear more about Yvonne's remarkable journey and her unique strategies for mental toughness and peak performance. You won't want to miss it!

#failfirstpodcast #mentalperformance #visualization #focustraining #sportpsychology #olympics #athletemindset #professionaldevelopment

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Fail First Podcast

🚨SKY KIM - ‘Road to Pro’ Founder, Pro Coach, Former ATP Tour Tennis Pro🚨

OUT NOW on all Platforms!

0:00 Who is Sky Kim?
7:15 What is ‘Road to Pro’ and How was it Built?
15:32 There is NOTHING like these Socks
39:12 Does the ALW’ Fight’ make you play better?
44:03 Breaking down Strategy: Pre, During, and Post-Game
45:16 The Most Important Tactical Tips for Beginners
48:01 The Secret to Winning: Keep it Simple
49:52 Difference between Pro and Beginner Strategy
52:02 Tennis vs. Pickleball Strategy
55:37 Similarities and Differences of Tennis and Pickleball to Chess
61:01 Balancing Power and Accuracy
Adaptability in Sports: How to Mold Like Clay
74:16 How a Coach uses Strategy for their Players
76:13 Modeling Your Game Around Top Pros
79:14 Secret to Serena Williams Success: Emotional Control
83:08 Overcoming Emotional Paralysis
86:11 Be Water when in War: Art of War in Tennis
89:21 Coach’s Voice vs. Your Own Voice
95:39 Failure to Freedom: Prison Pickleball
101:23 Don’t Forget the Fundamentals!
108:28 Olympian’s Advice: Want the Gold but don’t NEED the Gold

#Pickleball #Tennis #RoadToPro #mentalskills #mentalfitness #mindset #coaching #entrepreneurlife

1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Fail First Podcast

🚨DR. CASSIDY PRESTON 🚨 - Doctor of Sport Psychology, Mental Performance Coach, Author, and Speaker

On this Episode, we sit down with Dr. Cassidy Preston: Founder of CEP (Consistent Elite Performance) Mindset and author of MIndset First. We breakdown building an ‘Alter Ego’ like Kobe Bryant in order to harness the best version of you both on and off the court.

BONUS: Dr. Cassidy’s mentor was Todd Herman who helped Kobe build the ‘Black Mamba.’ There is some key insight in here that you won’t find anywhere else!

To give you real world application, over the past 3 months Alec has been putting this practice to the test. Tune in to find out his experience with using an ‘Alter Ego’ and how it has truly upgraded his pickleball game forever.

BONUS RESOURCES (diagrams & worksheets from ‘Mindset First’)- in the show notes on all platforms and in @cepmindset bio.

You will never guess who Alec chose as his ‘Alter Ego.’ At the end.😏

#mindset #pickleball #sportpsychology #alterego #blackmamba #kobebryant #mentalfitness #mentalperformancecoach

1 year ago | [YT] | 0

Fail First Podcast

👉EXPANDING COGNITIVE CAPACITY FOR ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Listen to Dr. Scott Frey’s full episode 👇

This will be the best podcast you have listened to in a long time. 😏

#cerebralperformance #braintraining #sportpsychology #failfirst #pickleball #exercisetips

1 year ago | [YT] | 1