24.01.24
Mexican music is gently playing in the background as I am nervously trying to figure out which wifi network I should use. It is not really matter of choice but playing the odds… which could have the strongest connection? Why is only one of my AirPods working? The newest episode of the podcast should start recording in 5 minutes, starring the one and only Buddy Hammon from California. Microphones are also not working, I mean, why not? Just take a deep breath in and out Jakub, “Esta bien”.
But let's rewind a little bit. Episode 10 with Buddy Hammon is almost in the books. Sure, due to internet crash, we might need do part two, which we would have done anyways, since Buddy is super interesting to talk to. However, it would be the fourth filming location in 10 episodes… I guess that is what happens if you want start podcasting but you are kind a digital nomad or rather a homeless person living between places or continents…
In October 2023, I set out on a big task. Record an episode of video-podcast (because audio only would be too easy, right?) every two weeks with one of the influential figures in the roundnet world, especially focusing on Europeans. What's more, I decided to do it in German in order to accommodate to the German audience, which is the largest by far in European Roundnet.
Well, as you are reading this, you may already quite a few challenges rising: Jakub is not German (okay, nor am I a native English speaker :D ). Jakub does not read books in German or listens to German podcast (personal preference). But since the podcast is not directly about Jakub but his guests, who cares? ;). I saw it as a new challenge.
However, not everyone speaks German, so I mixed it up a little with English speaking guests. In the episode with Lukas Tapken, a German Pro player and a coach, we decided to broadcast in English since we both believe there is so much value to the community it would be shame to keep it just for the German audience, right?
But why did I decide to start my own podcast, especially at this time without a home? Well, as they say, there is never the best time to start a podcast - just do it. The trigger was the STS Championship in Philadelphia in October 2023, with a big group of Europeans setting to represent the continent on arguably the best roundnet tournament of the year (in terms of skills).
Four Europeans were than featured in the podcast: Nelson Dziruni and Megan Leybourne from Austria, Levi Vandaele from Belgium and Ronja Lorenz from Germany. If you want to get a good insight in their adventures, look below.
Naturally, Youtube is not the ideal platform for podcasting, as I am aware (but thank you to our listeners to pointing it out😉), however it was the fastest option - again, just trying to keep the ball rollin´.
Furthermore, I knew podcasting was not easy but after doing 10, or okay… 9,25 episodes, I must say that I gained even more respect and admiration for all people doing podcasting. Just filming a good intro alone (and I don´t claim that my intros are good, haha), it can take about one or two hours. You need to prepare a script, set up the equipment, adjust the lighting, ask everyone not to interrupt you or do it during hours no one is home, including neighbours etc etc. The list goes on on an.
More importantly, during my roundnet career, I had the privilege to travel the world and meet people from all different walks of life and countries. By privilege, I don't meant using my parents money but rather having the opportunity to move to a great country, Germany (okay, Bavaria - I am sorry 🤓), work 3-4 jobs to make a living while full-time studying in foreign languages (German and English) and much more.
The main reason of starting the podcast was to take other people, who are not as fortunate as me or who have not decided to travel as much for roundnet, on a journey, and really introduce them to humans of roundnet.
On a casual tournament with long travel times, I did not find as much time to have deep conversations with many people, I just saw a glimpse of it. In this podcast, I kind a selfishly get to explore and learn more about my guests, to really sit down and connect on a deeper level, which is a balsam for my soul in today´s more and more disconnected world.
Moreover, as a huge believer in self-improvement, I like to tease out tactics, routines or mental frameworks of my guests. Sure, all of us could listen most downloaded business podcasts of these CEOs or psychologist but I found that I tend to believe more listening to people who do not seem so far away from me.
Besides, having been really in the weeds of Roundnet for the past five years, which in this young sport may seem like an eternity, I learnt and tested lots of ideas, made plenty of mistakes but also I like to think done quite a few things right that are replicable, so a starting player, a seasoned pro or a starting coach could benefit a lot.
Additionally, for most of my guests, it was the first time they were being interviewed - an essential part of becoming an elite sportsman - handling the media, haha. As someone who followed elite athletes his entire life, I loved the fact that podcasts or social media introduced them more as humans and not only these “bigger-than-life” figures. Even in my mid 20s, I discovered new role models - in roundnet. Since there has not been anything like that for me that I loved, I decided to do it myself and give it a shot. This podcast is the product of it😊.
getting to know my favourite athletes had always been fun
I believe more podcast and media will cover roundnet in the future and thus laying another brick to a foundation of the all around roundnet ecosystem. If this podcast is doing at least little part, I consider it a success.