Episodes

  • Padel for All: Mark Hewlett and Soul Padel's Inclusive Approach to Growth (JOPS03E16)

    Padel for All: Mark Hewlett and Soul Padel's Inclusive Approach to Growth (JOPS03E16)
    Aug 27 2025
    Mark Hewlett, founder of Soul Padel, reveals how a traumatic experience led him to discover the transformative power of padel. His journey from rugby player to padel pioneer is nothing short of inspiring. In this episode #16, Mark shares the genesis of Soul Padel and its mission to make padel accessible to all. We explore how this fast-growing sport is building communities and bridging social divides across the UK. Here are 3 key takeaways from our chat with Mark: - Community-Centric Approach: Soul Padel's focus on creating welcoming spaces where everyone can meet, play, and connect is revolutionizing the UK padel scene. - Innovative Growth Strategy: By partnering with Decathlon and universities, Soul Padel is introducing padel to new audiences and fostering the next generation of players. - Preserving the Soul: As they expand to 40-50 locations, Soul Padel's commitment to maintaining their core values through people and digital engagement is admirable. Mark's insights into the future of padel in the UK and globally are invaluable for anyone interested in the sport's development. His vision of padel as a unifying force in communities is both refreshing and inspiring. Listen to the full episode for more on Soul Padel's journey, their unique approach to coaching, and Mark's perspective on what makes padel so special. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Decoding Padel Success: Lessons from Gonzalo Lorenzo (JOPS03E15)

    Decoding Padel Success: Lessons from Gonzalo Lorenzo (JOPS03E15)
    Aug 12 2025
    This podcast features Gonzalo Lorenzo, a padel coach and YouTube sensation, discussing his journey in the sport and coaching philosophy. Gonzalo shares insights on player improvement, communication strategies, and the culture of padel. He emphasizes the importance of playing percentage shots and reducing unforced errors. The conversation also explores the growing popularity of padel worldwide and the potential impact of AI on the sport's analytics. Gonzalo's YouTube channel, Padel Drive, has gained significant traction, attracting viewers from unexpected places like Indonesia. Key points: 1. Gonzalo stresses the importance of playing safe, challenging shots with at least 80% accuracy. 2. The Joy of Padel is described as organizing games with friends, being competitive, and socializing afterward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • Juan Martín Díaz: Secrets of a 30-Year Career in Elite Padel (JOPS03E14)

    Juan Martín Díaz: Secrets of a 30-Year Career in Elite Padel (JOPS03E14)
    Jul 29 2025
    Juan Martín Díaz, padel legend, shares his journey from his beginnings in tennis to becoming a padel professional. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the game and the evolution toward a more physical sport. Díaz describes himself as an offensive player with exceptional reflexes, emphasizing the importance of compatibility with his playing partner. He analyzes the differences between the Argentine and Spanish schools of padel and comments on the recent World Championship in Doha. He offers his perspective on the current professional circuit, suggesting improvements in organization and player participation in decision-making. Díaz reflects on changes to the rules and playing surface, expressing his preference for maintaining the essence of the sport. He shares personal anecdotes, including the birth of his son during a tournament, and emphasizes the importance of humility in padel. Finally, he offers his optimistic outlook on the future of the sport and its possible inclusion in the Olympic Games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Padel's Global Surge: Insights from PwC's Elena Martín (JOPS03E13)

    Padel's Global Surge: Insights from PwC's Elena Martín (JOPS03E13)
    Jul 15 2025
    Elena Martín, partner at PwC and co-author of the 2025 Global Padel Report, joins the Joy of Padel podcast to discuss the sport's explosive growth. She shares insights on padel's global expansion, including the projected 81,000 courts worldwide by 2027 and the USA's potential to become the largest market. Elena delves into the factors driving padel's popularity, such as its accessibility and social nature, and explores emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East. The conversation also touches on the sport's Olympic aspirations and the challenges it faces in achieving that goal. This episode offers padel aficionados a comprehensive look at the sport's current state and future prospects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • The Rise of Padel in Saudi Arabia: Najwa Salhab's Journey (JOPS03E12)

    The Rise of Padel in Saudi Arabia: Najwa Salhab's Journey (JOPS03E12)
    Jul 1 2025
    The Rise of Padel in Saudi Arabia: Najwa Salhab's Journey (JOPS03E12) My latest Joy of Padel episode features Najwa Salhab, a rising star from Saudi Arabia's national padel team. Najwa's journey from casual player to national representative is truly inspiring. In this episode, we dive into: • The rapid growth of padel in Saudi Arabia • Najwa's transition from amateur to competitive player • The importance of strategy and communication in padel • How padel skills translate to life and business • Insights on watching professional padel matches Najwa offers a unique perspective on padel's development in the Middle East and shares valuable tips for improving your game. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned player, there's something for everyone in this episode. Don't miss this chance to hear from one of padel's emerging talents. Tune in now and let Najwa's passion for the sport inspire your own padel journey! Catch you on the court, Minter P.S. Planning to attend the Paris Premier Padel event? Let me know – I'll be there and would love to connect! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Marta Talaván: Balancing Board Duties and Pro Padel Performance (JOPS03E11)

    Marta Talaván: Balancing Board Duties and Pro Padel Performance (JOPS03E11)
    Jun 17 2025
    From Wall Practice to World Stages: Marta Talaván's Padel Rise (JOPS03E11) I'm thrilled to share my latest Joy of Padel podcast episode featuring the incredible Marta Talaván, a top-ranked professional padel player and board member. Marta offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of pro padel, from her journey as a young player to her current role shaping the sport's future. We dive deep into the nuances of playing right side in padel, discussing technique, strategy, and the mental game. Marta shares her approach to softening her shots and improving decision-making on court. For all you right-side players out there, this episode is packed with valuable insights! But that's not all - Marta also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at life as a pro padel player. From nutrition and training routines to pre-match preparations, she paints a vivid picture of what it takes to compete at the highest level. As a board member, Marta offers her perspective on the growth of women's padel and the challenges facing the sport. Her passion for equality and development in padel is truly inspiring. Whether you're a padel enthusiast, aspiring pro, or just curious about the sport, this episode has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this in-depth conversation with one of padel's brightest stars! Tune in now and let the Joy of Padel continue! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 mins
  • London Calling: The Padel Podcast Dissecting the Capital's Boom

    London Calling: The Padel Podcast Dissecting the Capital's Boom
    Jun 17 2025
    London's padel scene is exploding, and we've got the inside scoop. Did you know there are now 166 courts across 42 venues in the city? In our latest Joy of Padel episode, we dive deep into the data behind London's padel revolution. From premium clubs to pop-up courts, we explore the diverse landscape shaping this fast-growing sport. Here are 3 key insights from our analysis: - Rapid Growth: London has seen a staggering increase in padel courts, with plans for even more expansion. We break down the numbers and reveal the hotspots. - Tech Integration: From AI-powered coaching to innovative booking apps, technology is transforming the padel experience. We discuss the latest trends and what they mean for players. - Economic Impact: Padel is generating significant revenue in London. We examine the financial side of the boom and its implications for future development. Whether you're a seasoned padel aficionado or curious about trying the sport, this episode offers valuable insights into London's thriving padel ecosystem. Tune in to discover how you can be part of this exciting revolution. Don't miss out: - Share your padel experiences in the comments. - Forward this to friends interested in London's sports scene. - Subscribe to Joy of Padel for more in-depth padel content! PadelPodcast #LondonPadel #PadelRevolution #SportsTech #UrbanSports #PadelGrowth #PadelCommunity #PadelInnovation #PadelEconomy #JoyOfPadel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins
  • The Art of Creating Space: Padel Insights with Fredrik Ask

    The Art of Creating Space: Padel Insights with Fredrik Ask
    Jun 3 2025
    Evolving in Padel: Fredrik Ask's Coaching Philosophy (JOPS03E10) I'm excited to bring you the latest episode of Joy of Padel, featuring Fredrik Ask, Norway's top padel player. Fredrik's transition from tennis to padel is a captivating story, and he shares invaluable insights into the sport's intricacies. In this episode, we explore: - The shift from tennis to padel - Strategies for creating space on the court - The significance of reading your opponent's racket - Tips for finding the ideal padel partner Fredrik also recounts a humorous tale about his first experience with professional padel that you won't want to miss! Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, this episode is filled with practical advice and entertaining stories. Tune in to discover why padel is more than just a sport – it's a joy! Listen to the full episode now on your favorite podcast platform. Keep enjoying the game! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins