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