Episodes

  • The Road to Number 1: Ariana Sánchez on Leadership and Overcoming Challenges in Padel (JOPS04E05)

    The Road to Number 1: Ariana Sánchez on Leadership and Overcoming Challenges in Padel (JOPS04E05)
    Mar 25 2026
    This interview was conducted in Spanish. If you would like to have the subtitles, please head over to the Joy of Padel channel on YouTube. Here are the toplines of what we discussed (in English). 1. Introduction and Beginnings in Padel Introduction of Ariana Sánchez as a professional padel player. Brief personal description and values. Initial moments of her professional career and reaching number 1 in the world. 2. Experiences and Emotions Upon Reaching Number One Fulfillment of childhood dreams. Reflection on the sacrifices and support received (family, team). Emotional reflections upon achieving this milestone. 3. Doubts, Criticism, and Playing Style The difficulty of media exposure and criticism, especially through social media. The difference between her playing style and other more "spectacular" styles. Evaluation of teamwork and the role of each player within the pair. 4. Tips for Young Athletes and Social Media Management Importance of focusing on what you can control (training, environment, team). Risks and toxicity on social media. Recommendations for not being swayed by external opinions and focusing on personal growth. 5. Staying Number One: Challenges and Personal Development Difference between reaching and staying at the top. Pressure of being a role model for other players. Need to reinvent yourself and withstand constant pressure. 6. Sports Project with Andrea Ustero Goals, medium- and long-term focus. The promising start of the project and its implications. Adaptation process and professional training for a young couple. Need for patience and focus on joint growth. 7. Individual and Team Training Ideal structure of a high-performance training environment. Importance of combining team and individual training. Clear roles within the team: coach, physical trainer, psychologist. 8. Areas for individual improvement in women's padel Personal recognition of strengths and weaknesses in the game. Focus on finishing more points and being more aggressive. Adjusting roles based on the partner and complementing each other on the court. 9. Rivalry and personal development Impact of competition on technical, tactical, and emotional development. Importance of emotional control and mindset in elite sports. Daily discipline as the foundation for competitive improvement. 10. Tactical fundamentals: the lob, the walls, and communication Importance of the lob as a key shot in padel. Importance of communication between partners during play. Examples for instilling communication in new players. 11. Psychological work and mental management Controlling thoughts in situations of pressure and fatigue. Internal dialogue and how it has evolved with experience. Managing your own and your partner's mistakes during a match. 12. Evolution and evaluation of women's padel Professional and economic growth of women's padel. Differences between women's and men's padel. Importance for the spectator and tactical learning from women's padel. 13. Tactical intelligence on the court Evolution in the ability to read matches and situations. Importance of maturity and experience for a better understanding of the game. 14. Rule changes in padel and personal opinion Opinion on the new rule changes, the serve, and the start point. Proposed improvement: specific referees to oversee the serve. Reflection on the balance between entertainment and sporting fairness. 15. Olympic projection and international expansion of padel Opinion on the possible inclusion of padel in the Olympic Games. The importance of increasing the number of competitive countries. The need for grassroots development in different countries. 16. Memories and special moments in her career Most memorable moments: winning her first tournament and reaching number one. Emotional value of her achievements and their personal significance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    30 mins
  • Building Bridges and Resilience With Padel: Ben Hanley’s Global Military Story (JOPS04E04)

    Building Bridges and Resilience With Padel: Ben Hanley’s Global Military Story (JOPS04E04)
    Mar 11 2026
    In this episode, Minter sits down with Flight Lieutenant Ben Hanley, whose journey into padel began unexpectedly after a military posting to Madrid in 2022. With zero background in racket sports but a willingness to dive in, Ben Hanley quickly discovered how padel could not only transform his own life but also build community within the military and beyond. From his very first game to becoming a certified coach with the M3 Academy, Ben Hanley shares how padel’s addictive simplicity hooked him—and how he's now championing its growth across UK armed forces bases. You’ll hear about the creative ways he’s overcoming logistical and policy hurdles to introduce the sport, including negotiations around infrastructure, accessible padel for rehabilitation, and even ambitions for a court in the Falkland Islands! This episode is packed with heartwarming stories, from helping a colleague rediscover her passion for sport to using padel as a bridge for mental health and leadership development. Whether you’re new to padel or a seasoned player, Ben Hanley’s energy will leave you inspired to pick up a racket and connect with your community—maybe even with a post-match caña in hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Empowering Women in Padel: Pep Stonor’s Journey and Vision for Inclusion (JOPS04E03)

    Empowering Women in Padel: Pep Stonor’s Journey and Vision for Inclusion (JOPS04E03)
    Feb 25 2026
    In this episode, host Minter sits down with the inspiring Pep Stonor, a passionate padel player and founder of Empower Padel. Pep shares her journey from discovering padel on a holiday in Portugal to becoming an early adopter in the UK during the COVID lockdowns, and eventually representing Australia at the international level. Together, they explore the unique social spirit of padel, the transition challenges for tennis converts, and the empowering potential of the sport—especially for women and girls. Listen in as Pep Stonor recounts the joys and challenges of building a global community through Empower Padel, dedicated to helping more women start, return to, and stay in sport by embracing padel. From practical tips for beginners to the importance of making clubs welcoming for women, this conversation is jam-packed with insight, honest reflections, and the infectious enthusiasm that defines the JOY OF PADEL. Whether you’re a seasoned player, a casual fan, or totally new to the sport, this episode will leave you inspired to pick up a racket and join the community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    35 mins
  • Rising Through the Ranks: Clément Geens’ Journey to Belgium’s Top Padel Player (JOPS04E02)

    Rising Through the Ranks: Clément Geens’ Journey to Belgium’s Top Padel Player (JOPS04E02)
    Feb 11 2026
    Welcome to a brand new season of JOY OF PADEL! We’re kicking off with a true rising star in the sport – Belgian padel ace Clément Geens, who rocketed into the world’s top 100 after picking up the game just five years ago. In this episode, Minter sits down with Clément Geens to explore his unique journey from a hockey-playing family to the upper echelons of international padel, his transition from tennis, and the passion that makes padel addictively fun. Get ready for an inside look at what it takes to forge a pro career in this fast-evolving sport, why watching the world’s best can shape your game, the art of adapting partner chemistry, and how staying consistent yet unpredictable on the court can truly set you apart. Clément Geens also shares fascinating details about life on the pro tour, including the economic realities and the search for the perfect partner. Whether you’re an aspiring player, a recreational enthusiast, or just padel curious, this episode offers practical wisdom, candid stories, and fresh insights into the world’s fastest-growing sport. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 mins
  • Spreading the Padel Love: British Padel Awards UK Edition (JOPS04E01)

    Spreading the Padel Love: British Padel Awards UK Edition (JOPS04E01)
    Feb 4 2026
    Special Edition: Nominations and Voting in The British Padel Awards 2026 This episode of JOY OF PADEL celebrates the launch of the British Padel Awards 2026, as host Minter energizes listeners with exciting news for the UK padel community. Minter kicks off this fourth season by announcing that the BPA has 21 categories honoring the players, clubs, coaches, innovators, and legends who are shaping British padel as the fastest growing sport in the world. Run by Anthony Daulphin and featuring a world-class MC duo, the awards are positioned as a true highlight for everyone passionate about the game. Minter also shares his personal involvement with four categories, including as Padel Ambassador, Padel Influencer of the Year, Innovation and Technology with Pango Sports, and, notably, a nomination for JOY OF PADEL as Podcast of the Year. However, the focus remains firmly on community and celebration. Minter calls on listeners to visit britishpaddleawards.co.uk/vote, support their favorites, and spread the word, emphasizing that every vote helps fuel the growth and visibility of padel across Britain. Key points: The British Padel Awards 2026 spotlight 21 categories, celebrating those driving the sport's growth and vibrancy in the UK. Minter urges the community to vote, share, and participate, highlighting padel’s inclusivity and the importance of collective enthusiasm in building the sport’s future. JOY OF PADEL is proudly nominated for Padel Podcast of the Year, recognizing its contribution to connecting and inspiring padel fans. Join the JOY OF PADEL every other week as Minter and the broader padel community continue to share stories, foster connection, and showcase the supreme delight of this wonderful game across Britain and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    5 mins
  • Transforming Padel Experiences for All: Camille Huyghues Despointes and Pango (JOPS03E22)

    Transforming Padel Experiences for All: Camille Huyghues Despointes and Pango (JOPS03E22)
    Dec 3 2025
    This episode of JOY OF PADEL features Camille Huyghues Despointes, French entrepreneur and co-founder (with me) of Pango, to discuss her journey from theater studies and multiple startups to launching an innovative padel app. Camille shares how her experience in show jumping shaped her understanding of partnership and energy, and why she fell in love with padel's accessibility and social nature. The discussion explores Pango’s mission to redefine player ratings and foster a global padel community. Key points: Pango addresses real padel player problems, offering a unique, community-driven rating system. Padel’s joyful, strategic gameplay makes it addictive and ideal for social and personal growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Inside Padel Commentary: Emily Kilner on Strategies, Growth, and Global Appeal (JOPS03E21)

    Inside Padel Commentary: Emily Kilner on Strategies, Growth, and Global Appeal (JOPS03E21)
    Nov 20 2025
    Emily Kilner, BBC New Voice Award winner and Premier Padel commentator, shares her journey from England Under-21 hockey international to becoming one of padel's most distinctive voices. Broadcasting and interviewing in both English and Spanish, Emily discusses the art of commentary, the strategic nuances that separate professional padel from amateur play, and why longer rallies in women's padel offer invaluable lessons for recreational players. Key points include the importance of understanding padel as a strategic, team-oriented sport rather than a power game, and how building context around player relationships creates compelling narratives that distinguish padel from other sports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins
  • Building Padel's American Dream: Insights from USPA President Bill Ullman (JOPS03E20)

    Building Padel's American Dream: Insights from USPA President Bill Ullman (JOPS03E20)
    Nov 6 2025
    Bill Ullman, co-Founder of the Anglo-American Cup and President of the United States Padel Association (USPA), shares his journey from squash to padel and his vision for the sport's growth in the US. He discusses the challenges of adapting to padel from other racket sports, the development of a padel culture, and the importance of sustainable growth. Bill offers insights into the USPA's role in expanding padel across the country, the potential impact of celebrity involvement, and the creation of the Anglo-American Cup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    44 mins