Welcome to another episode of the Fail First Podcast! Today’s guest is the dynamic Connor Derrickson, widely known as “That Pickleball Trainer.”
Connor brings a fascinating story—from his time as a strength and conditioning coach for the Minnesota Twins, to now training amateur and pro pickleball players. In this episode, we dive into:
How he overcame five knee injuries and rebuilt himself
Merging exercise science with pickleball
Why mental training is just as critical as physical training
What optimal off-court training looks like for longevity and performance
Whether you’re a casual player or chasing a pro dream, this one’s packed with insight, vulnerability, and actionable tools.
🎯 Find Connor Here:
YouTube: @ThatPickleballTrainer
Instagram: @thatpickleballtrainer
🕒 Timestamps:
01:50 – From Pro Baseball Trainer to Pickleball Trainer
05:27 – Imposter Syndrome in Pickleball Training
08:37 – Overcoming Five Knee Injuries
10:56 – “Overcoming Athlete Setbacks”
14:25 – “Consistency: Key to Athletic Success”
17:48 – Strength Foundation in Athletes
20:39 – “Foundational Movements Build Strength”
23:12 – “Earning Trust Through Performance Testing”
29:00 – Improving Stamina in Sports
30:20 – Enjoyable, Sustainable Fitness Routines
32:47 – Phased Training for Performance Improvement
36:11 – Off-Season Sports Training Approach
40:31 – “Underrated Wall Drills in Training”
44:25 – Training for Longevity in Sports
47:29 – Force Absorption & Movement Training
51:55 – Fitness Goals: Weight Loss & Optimization
53:59 – Embracing Failure for Growth