The Average Not Average Podcast

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew catches up with Viktor Axelsen for a more casual conversation about life after professional badminton. We find out what he’s been busy with lately, what a day looks like for him now, and how he’s finding the new chapter.

We also look back at VA Next in Odense, the special event celebrating the people who supported his career, including the surprise book made by his dad, plus his farewell ceremony at the Denmark Open. We get into the funny AI videos of Viktor online, his Mandarin, new hairstyle, and plenty more!

Chapter Timestamps:

00:30 Introduction & Denmark Open

01:15 Denmark Open & VA Next Event

05:06 Life After Retirement & Back Pain

06:50 Routines As A Former Elite Athlete

09:07 Viktor’s New Buzz Cut

11:02 CK’s Business Plans & Workshop Delivery

14:07 Yonex Content With Kento Momota

19:33 Viktor’s Denmark Open Farewell Ceremony

23:52 CK & Viktor’s Q4 Travel Plans

25:46 Will Viktor Return To Play?

27:07 AI Videos Of Viktor & The Other Greats

28:30 Using AI & Dangers Of It

34:04 Viktor’s Current Day In The Life

39:28 Developing Skills & New Year Goals

45:31 The Career Book Viktor’s Dad Made

50:23 Public Speaking & Staying Connected To Fans

56:27 VA Mandarin

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/

- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew sits down with Katy Preston and Danny Allen, the co-founders of ELEV8, a specialist sports presentation and live event production agency. They’ve worked on events including F1 at Silverstone, the World Triathlon Championship Series and the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, and Katy previously directed a pro-am tennis tournament on Sir Richard Branson’s private island.

We dig into how ELEV8 started, what sports presentation really involves, and how it changes from sport to sport, from opening ceremonies and fan zones to sponsor activations, LED content and music production. We also talk about pitching to governing bodies, working within a budget, the behind-the-scenes stories from live events, and what badminton could learn from other sports.

Learn more about what ELEV8 do below:

- Website: https://timetoelev8.com/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timetoelev8/

Chapter Timestamps:

00:43 Introduction To Elev8

02:36 What Sports Presentation Involves

07:13 Why Flags & Anthems Leave No Room For Error

11:02 The Fan Experience At Live Sporting Events

14:37 Balancing New Ideas With Sport-Specific Traditions

17:23 Importance Of Educating Clients

19:51 Behind The Scenes Of Fan Engagement

23:54 Getting Athletes Involved In Event Content

27:48 How Katy & Danny Started Working Together

31:36 Lessons From Building Elev8

36:30 Taking Complete Ownership Of Production

48:44 Production Risks: Lighting, Audio & Venue Needs

45:12 Balancing Creative Ideas With Budgets

48:51 Handling Pitches & Missed Opportunities

52:18 How Badminton Can Improve

56:19 Connecting Different Teams Within Live Sport

58:59 Production During F1 Silverstone

01:04:23 What’s Next For Elev8

01:06:23 Building A Strong Team & Company Culture

01:11:41 Technology & The Future Of Sport

01:14:08 Elev8’s Annual Pizza & Padel Event

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage\

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/

- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew sits down with Professor Eric Collet - a physicist and head of the Department of Materials and Light at the University of Rennes, known for his incredible super slow-motion footage of badminton shuttlecocks in flight. We get nerdy and break down the real physics behind the sport: why left-handers have a better slice shot, the Magnus effect, the insane forces of a shuttlecock, and much more!

Learn more about Professor Eric Collet below:

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ericcollet1240

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.collet.bad/

Chapter Timestamps:

00:40 Introduction To Professor Eric Collet

03:00 How Badminton & Science Came Together

09:18 The Science Of Badminton Shuttlecock Spin

12:31 Why Left-Handers Have A Better Slice

18:50 How Science Of How A Shuttle Slows Down

21:06 What Players & Coaches Can Learn

25:13 The Science Of The Badminton Smash

30:31 How Smash Position Affects Reaction Time

32:53 The Force Of A Shuttlecock

37:09 Plastic & Synthetic Shuttles

41:53 Photography & Slow-Motion Videography

43:42 Racket Speed, Shuttle Speed & Energy Transfer

49:04 How Players Stay In The Air When Jump Smashing

52:08 The Magnus Effect In Badminton

56:04 Measuring Smash Speed Accurately

01:02:36 Making Badminton Science Accessible

01:08:09 Defining Badminton In One Sentence

01:10:00 The Future Of Badminton Research

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/

- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew and Viktor Axelsen sit down with Ramakrishnan R (Ram) and Rakesh Haridas from Baseline Ventures - the agency behind some of the biggest deals in Indian badminton, representing athletes across 13 sports including PV Sindhu, Chirag Shetty, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy, and HS Prannoy. We dig into their journey to the top of athlete representation and sports commercialisation in India, plus what athletes should look for in an agent and what a real sponsorship deal looks like.

We also get into Baseline's ownership of the Prime Volleyball League, the challenges of running a league and team, and how brand partnerships fit into the bigger picture. If you've ever wondered how athletes get signed, sponsored, and built into brands, this one's for you!

Chapter Timestamps:

00:37 Introduction To Ram, Rakesh & Baseline Ventures

03:38 What Sports Agents Do

05:50 Commercial Deals As A Young Athlete

07:33 Adapting Commercial Strategies Throughout A Career

10:43 What Athlete Managers Do At Sporting Events

12:58 How Badminton Compares To Other Sports In India

15:55 How Sponsorship Deals Are Structured

20:24 Sponsorship Challenges During Covid

21:48 Importance Of Social Media & Digital Content

25:29 Evolution Of P. V. Sindhu’s Commercial Partnerships

28:48 Global Value Of Digital Athlete Partnerships

32:29 Opportunities To Professionalise Badminton

34:25 Building India’s Next Generation

38:34 Most Important Tournaments For Athlete Brand Value

41:18 Baseline Ventures’ Business Model & Owning The Prime Volleyball League

45:27 How Prime Volleyball League Partnered With YouTube

48:05 Managing A Professional Volleyball Team

53:51 Lessons From Building A Professional Sports League

55:52 How Baseline Ventures Was Founded

58:59 Baseline Studios & Producing Athlete Content

01:03:17 Favourite Baseline Ventures Moments

01:07:22 Advice For Aspiring Sports Agents

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/

- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

*Please note: Linus' video often freezes throughout the episode due to connection issues. We apologise for the technical difficulties and appreciate your understanding!

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew and Viktor Axelsen sit down with Linus Sebastian — founder of Linus Tech Tips and Linus Media Group — to talk badminton and business.

Linus and his wife Yvonne opened Smash Champs, a high-end badminton centre in Surrey, BC, Canada. We explore why he entered the badminton industry, what it takes to build and run a large-scale sports facility, and how it compares to running one of the internet's biggest media operations.

Chapter Timestamps:

00:47 Introduction to Linus Sebastian

04:06 How Linus Discovered Badminton

07:04 Why Badminton Is A Complete Sport

10:18 Badminton’s Potential In North America

13:26 Creating Smash Champs Badminton Club

15:43 Designing The Badminton Facility

19:38 The Challenge Of Drift In Badminton

24:22 Costs Of Building A High-Tech Badminton Club

25:46 Choosing The Right Flooring

27:51 Designing The Right Lighting

31:50 The War Between Contractors

34:46 The True Return On Investment

36:05 Badminton Clubs In Denmark

39:28 The GOAT 2026 Tournament & 15-Point Scoring

41:19 Running A Media Company Vs Smash Champs

42:55 Making Custom Broom Stands

44:58 Why Clubs Should Offer Rental Rackets & Shoes

51:39 Revenue Streams At Smash Champs

53:57 Impact Of The Right Badminton Community

56:47 Business Lessons

01:00:58 From Professional Sport To Entrepreneurship

01:02:40 The Story of Linus Playing Against Viktor Axelsen

01:08:40 Badminton’s Unwritten Rules

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/

- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

*A quick heads up! Alex and Kestutis’s connection occasionally breaks up throughout the episode, so you may see them come in and out of the frame at certain times. We apologise for the technical issue and appreciate your understanding!

In this exclusive episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, we’re joined by recent 2026 BWF World Champion of men’s singles, Alex Lanier, and his coach Kestutis Navickas. We delve into the victory and preparations leading up to it, the rise of French badminton, and insights behind their success. Tune in to hear all about training, the coach-athlete relationship, mental resilience, equipment, federation support, future goals and more.

Chapter Timestamps:

00:40 Intro & Post-Victory Check-In

03:13 Processing Becoming World Champions

12:10 How The World Title Was Built (Season Plan)

22:51 Staying Ahead Of Opponents

25:48 Support From The French Federation

33:12 World Championships Reflection

49:59 Reflecting On Alex’s Season

57:34 Alex’s Equipment Of Choice

1:04:22 Post-Championships Attention

1:06:13 Mindset Of Continuous Improvement

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/

- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew and Viktor Axelsen sit down with Ben Lee - former Olympian, 9-time US National Champion, founder of Synergy Badminton Academy, and one of the most influential figures in American badminton.

Together, they explore Ben's journey through more than four decades in the sport, from competing at the Olympic Games to building one of North America's leading badminton academies. They discuss the realities of running a successful sports business, growing badminton in the US, sponsorships, facility management, and the lessons Ben has learned from developing players, scaling a business, and helping shape the future of the sport.

Chapter Timestamps:

00:42 Introduction To Ben Lee

03:30 Barcelona 1992 (First Olympic Badminton Appearance)

08:27 London 2012 & How Olympics Has Evolved

11:08 How Synergy Badminton Began & Grew

18:58 Biggest Costs Of Running A Badminton Academy

24:19 Why Passion Matters In Business

25:43 Long-Term Sustainability

30:29 The Team Behind Synergy Badminton

34:02 Scaling Synergy Badminton

39:40 Badminton Clubs In Europe

45:53 How Badminton Clubs Make Profit

47:16 Misconceptions Of Running An Academy

48:25 How To Balance Family, Life & Business Together

53:54 Costs & Considerations Of Setting Up A Badminton Facility

57:12 Quality Control & Maintaining Playing Surfaces

1:03:27 How Badminton Synergy Evolved

1:07:52 CK’s Path To Badminton Media

1:11:56 When Ben Started Synergy

1:12:40 Sponsorships & Player Support

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/

- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew and Viktor Axelsen sit down with Sports Psychologist, Muhammad Deen, who shares insights on high performance psychology, mental resilience, and applying sports psychology principles to everyday life and leadership. They discuss mental resilience, cultural differences, and practical strategies for managing pressure, developing self-awareness, raising young athletes, and building trust within teams.

To learn more about Muhammad’s work, check out his website here: https://www.mdperformpsych.com/

Chapter Timestamps:

00:39 Introduction to Muhammad Deen

03:47 How Muhammad & Viktor Met

05:58 Journey to Sports Psychology

10:30 Cultural Differences & Emotional Openness

16:30 Parents, Pressure & Junior Athlete Development

26:47 Coping With Sensitive Situations As A Sports Psychologist

31:33 Communication Between Athletes, Coaches & Psychologists

33:23 Trust & Athlete’s Inner Circle

38:40 Handling Pressure & Performance Nerves

47:39 Building Mental Resilience Through Training

49:17 Self-Awareness, Self-Belief & Reflection

59:54 Why Sports Psychology Needs Greater Investment

1:07:47 Where To Find Muhammad

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/

- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

*A quick heads up! From around 55:00 onwards, Selena's audio occasionally falls out of sync with the video. We apologise for the technical issue and appreciate your understanding!

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, CK Yew sits down with three-time Olympian, Selena Piek. Selena shares her journey of being an elite badminton player to being recently retired from elite sport. Discussions include insights on financial management, career transition, the business side of badminton and how we can grow the sport globally.

Photo Credit For Thumbnail: @badminton.21 (Instagram)

Chapter Timestamps:

00:32 Introduction to Selena Piek & Transitioning Out of Professional Sport

05:50 Financial Realities of Elite Athletes

12:28 Income as an Elite Athlete

19:31 Lessons Learned from Experience

28:55 Negotiating Contracts & Sponsorships

37:00 Growing the Pie: A Better Approach to Negotiation

40:47 The Commercial Landscape of Badminton

45:41 Viktor’s Transparency & Professionalism

51:46 Characteristics of Top Athletes

56:36 Engaging New Audiences in Badminton & Learning From World Cup

1:05:39 Collaborative Efforts for Growth

1:13:30 Commentating Badminton

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw

In this episode of The Average Not Average Podcast, Viktor Axelsen and CK Yew are joined by Sean Casey - registered dietitian, physical preparation coach, proactive health specialist, and someone who has played a huge role throughout Viktor’s career over many years working together at the highest level of sport.

Together, they dive into performance optimisation, recovery, nutrition, injury prevention, holistic health, and what it really takes to consistently perform at an elite level. Sean also shares stories from his journey working alongside Viktor, lessons learned from decades in the performance space, advice for everyday athletes, and the realities of balancing health, business, travel, and high performance all at once.

Chapter Timestamps:

00:36 Introduction To Sean Casey

01:42 How Viktor & Sean Met

05:44 Sean’s Initial Role & First Assessments

08:46 Why Viktor Knew Sean Was The Right Fit

10:26 Sean’s Decision To Focus On Viktor

12:28 Living Together in Copenhagen

16:10 How Badminton Has Evolved

20:35 Viktor’s Physical Transformation

24:36 What To Look For in A Performance Expert

27:30 Setbacks & Trusting The Process

29:29 Measurements Of Progress

35:55 Viktor & Sean’s Working Dynamic

39:51 How Sean Built His Skill Set

46:16 Sean’s Brand

51:54 Thoughts On Wearable Tech

01:00:26 What Brings Joy Outside Of Work

Follow us on social media for more content!

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaveragenotaverage/

- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaveragenotaverage

Keep in touch with CK & Viktor here:

- CK's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkmY5ThPy3GLINI0m06ffaQ

- Viktor's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCkuVto4oGsgdEisvXlUaHvg

- CK's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ckyew_official/

- Viktor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viktoraxelsen/

You can also find our conversations on:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0BwlJdllHEuttY24Jbcrz8?si=d5-BYAQkSoG7pMhKdskf4Q

- Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-average-not-average-podcast/id1797766159

- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQxuJfUZRhZn4s5SDKoS_Vw