Talkin' Smash Podcast powered by JOOLA

In Episode 7 of the Talkin' Smash Podcast I spoke with one of Germany's top female players, Sophia Klee. After a promising start in the sport, as the 2017 European Top 10 Cadet Girls Champion, and European Cadet Girls Doubles Champion the same year, Klee faced a challenging situation at the beginning of 2022 when she was struck with a brutal injury.

We spoke about the recovery process both physical and mental, the challenges and how they were overcome - and how the injury changed her approach to competing in sport.

Please be sure to follow the podcast, and check out the video version on the JOOLA Infinity app or at JOOLA Global on YouTube.

In Episode 6 of Talkin' Smash Podcast powered by JOOLA, I sat down with my good friend Ryan Willard (again) at the JOOLA North American Team Championships on center court.

I have some new guests lined up coming into next year and will take a little pause to organize and record new ones as we head through December.

Ryan is a great creative mind and a good person to talk to about the atmosphere and attention given to creating a live experience in table tennis venues. Honestly, in the majority of cases it is not done well.

Table Tennis has typically failed to gain traction in most of its events, from local all the way to the highest international tournaments. Why is that? Is it just the nature of our sport? Are we focusing too much on digital audience? Or do we just not care?

Ryan and I discussed what is there, what is missing and what can be done to get more people in seats at live table tennis events!

The podcast is also available with video at:
www.youtube.com/joolaglobal

I was fortunate enough to take the opportunity to film a couple of podcasts with Lily when she visited, in the second one - Episode 5 of Talkin' Smash, we talked Serve Receive.

Lily prepared some good blogs this year about her experiences playing on the tour and deep diving into some specific matches. One which stood out for me was her account of the match with Mima Ito, where she spoke about her difficulties receiving serve and how it impacted the match flow overall.

Lily gave some interesting insights into serve receive and practicing for it. We spoke about how it ranks in difficulty and importance vs serve, and whether it is being practiced enough or properly.

It's always a pleasure to do podcasts and catch up with Lily, and I'm sure you'll be seeing more of her again!

Check out the full video podcast at:
https://youtube.com/joolaglobal

Former British International Craig Bryant joins host Matt Hetherington for this episode of Talkin' Smash on his specialist topic of the serve.

Craig, recently taking the internet by storm as a reputable professional table tennis coach with a particular focus in the area of improving service, has a wealth of knowledge in the sport.

The topics of conversation float from the terrible habits seen in service practice by players, lack of guidance by coaches, and the significant differences that effective service practice can have for your game.

Taking on the handle of @thettserviceguy on Instagram, Craig recently passed the milestone of 25,000 followers less than a year after the inception of his page. An excellent discussion from two table tennis coaches who are very passionate about teaching and promoting the importance of the service game!

Craig's Coaching Website: https://coachcraigtt.wixsite.com/thettserviceguy

Check out the full video podcast at:
https://youtube.com/joolaglobal

Peak Performance Table Tennis expert trainer Kevin Finn joins host Matt Hetherington to talk about common misconceptions for physical training in table tennis, as well as his ideas about building athleticism in the sport.

Kevin Finn is a certified strength and conditioning coach and table tennis player, who is using his skills to try and bring both worlds together. He builds physical training programs for table tennis players and other athletes and recently became an author with his book "Peak Performance Table Tennis: Unlock Your Potential and Play Like the Pros".

You can find out more about Kevin and his programs on his website at:
https://peakperformancetabletennis.com/

Check out the full video podcast at:
https://youtube.com/joolaglobal

Talkin' Smash host Matt Hetherington is joined by JOOLA's 3-time US Olympian Lily Zhang to discuss more about the contrast of experiences during her career so far. From the tough decision to pack up and relocate overseas as a full-time player for the first time, to making the -arguably even more difficult - decision, to come home to live back in the USA. 

Lily Zhang's insights into being a professional player based in the USA are fairly unique and this podcast gives a great look into her decision making and the importance of athlete mental health in performance. 

Find the full video podcast at:
www.youtube.com/joolaglobal

Join the Team JOOLA Community on the JOOLA Infinity App:
www.onelink.to/joola

In the first ever episode of the Talkin' Smash Podcast powered by JOOLA, host Matt Hetherington is joined by one of the recognizable faces in US Table Tennis - Ryan Willard. 

Commonly seen as an MC/Host and Commentator, Ryan's journey in the sport spans from being first exposed to the sport at SPiN New York, all the way to hosting the World Table Tennis Championships. 

Matt delves into table tennis through the eyes of a newcomer, and what the sport has to offer that it should capitalize on through promotion more. 

Find the full video podcast at:
www.youtube.com/joolaglobal

Join the Team JOOLA Community on the JOOLA Infinity App:
www.onelink.to/joola