Ep. 571 | #1 Mistake Amateurs Make Before Going Pro with Zane Navratil

Feb 10

Thinking about going pro in pickleball? Three-time Major League Pickleball champion Zane Navratil pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed at the highest level. From his journey leaving a Big Four accounting career to becoming one of pickleball's top players, Zane shares an unfiltered look at the professional athlete lifestyle.

In this episode, discover the daily routines, training methods, and mindset shifts required to compete professionally, while learning valuable lessons about preventing burnout and maintaining long-term success.

Learn:

Why most aspiring pros are making a critical mistake in their journey
The surprising training ratio that accelerates skill development
How elite players structure their daily routine for peak performance
The hidden mental challenge that derails many talented players
What separates those who can compete from those who can win

ABOUT Zane Navratil

Zane Navratil, age 28, started playing pickleball when he was 18, after claiming three high school tennis State Championships in Wisconsin. He played Division III tennis at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where he earned a degree in Accounting and achieved Academic All-American status. Upon graduation, Zane moved to Milwaukee, took a position as an auditor for Deloitte & Touche, and earned his CPA license. Pickleball, however, was calling his name, so he left the business world in 2020 to play and teach pickleball full time. It didn’t take long for Zane to achieve high accolades in pickleball. His presence and performance at recent tournaments is remarkable – he has earned over 100 medals in professional tournaments and 3 Major League Pickleball titles. Zane regularly teaches pickleball clinics across the country and is known for a teaching style that is both efficient and methodical, as well as engaging and fun. He has helped thousands of players improve their game through his clinics and private lessons. His driven and competitive personality is well balanced with his silly sense of humor and ability to have fun with his partners, competitors, and students. When Zane isn’t on the court, you’ll likely find him at home with his fiance, Jenny, and his puppy, Murray, either sitting on a patio enjoying a good taco or on a hike.

ABOUT THE BLUEPRINT PODCAST

The Blueprint Podcast is for busy professionals and Household CEOs who care deeply about their families, career, and health. Host Dr. Erik Korem distills cutting edge-science, leadership, and life skills into simple tactics optimized for your busy lifestyle and goals. Dr. Korem interviews scientists, coaches, elite athletes, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and exceptional people to discuss science and practical skills you can implement to become the most healthy, resilient, and impactful version of yourself.

On a mission to equip people to pursue audacious goals, thrive in uncertainty, and live a healthy and fulfilled life, Dr. Erik Korem is a High-Performance pioneer. He introduced sports science and athlete-tracking technologies to collegiate and professional (NFL) football over a decade ago. He has worked with the National Football League, Power-5 NCAA programs, gold-medal Olympians, Nike, and the United States Department of Defense.

Erik is an expert in sleep and stress resilience. He is the Founder and CEO of AIM7, a health and fitness app that unlocks the power of wearables by providing you with daily personalized recommendations to enhance your mind, body, and recovery.