Stories With Traction
The Stories With Traction Podcast was created to empower leaders to elevate their businesses through the art of strategic storytelling. By engaging clients and inspiring team members, leaders can significantly impact the world around them. Each episode offers insights into storytelling, marketing, sales, company culture, and leadership, providing practical tools to drive growth and influence positive change. Tune in to transform your approach and lead with purpose.
Stories With Traction
#172: Pickleball’s Playbook: Why “Everyone” Is the Target Market
SHOW NOTES:
In this episode, Matt Zaun sits down with Patricio Misitrano, a racquet-sports strategist and consultant, to unpack the cultural boom of pickleball and the fast-rising padel movement and what it means for players, investors, and operators.
Patricio explains why pickleball exploded (hint: everyone is the target market), how short games and easy onboarding supercharge engagement, and what separates thriving facilities from failing ones. Whether you’re a curious player, a gym owner exploring new revenue, or an investor eyeing a space, this episode breaks down the economics, operations, and community dynamics behind modern racquet sports.
In addition, they talk about:
✅ Why pickleball went mainstream: universal target market, near-zero learning curve, short game loops, and high social proximity
✅ Injury reality check: common risks (wrist/ankle/knee), why “deconditioned returners” get hurt, and how risk compares to other sports
✅ Coaching & performance: why even elite athletes hire tough coaches and how the right fit accelerates results
…and much more.
BIOS:
Patricio Misitrano is a racquet-sports consultant and club operator with 20+ years across tennis, pickleball, and padel. He advises entrepreneurs and investors on site selection, build-outs, programming, pricing, software, staffing, and launch strategy, and has been involved end-to-end in facility development and operations. Patricio is a former tennis pro, lifelong multi-sport athlete, and marathoner who brings a coach’s mindset and an operator’s rigor to growing this category.
Matt Zaun is an award-winning speaker and strategic storytelling expert who shows leaders how to inspire action and drive results through the power of story. He’s the author of The StoryBank, a practical playbook for using strategic storytelling to build culture, boost sales, strengthen marketing, and become a dynamic public speaker.