Transforming Sports: Marc Massad’s Impact on Health and Fitness

Marc Massad IFP Pickleball Ambassador at Velocity Paddle turning passion into progress in the sports world; dedicated to enhancing health, fitness, and sports enjoyment for all.

Company: Marc Massad

We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.

Marc Massad : My name is Marc Massad, and I’ve dedicated my life to advancing the fields of sports, health, and fitness. Through various leadership roles, I’ve aimed to make a tangible difference in how people of all ages and abilities engage with sports and physical activity.

As the Certified Pickleball Trainer & IFP Pickleball Ambassador at Velocity Paddle, I have the opportunity to bring this exciting sport to a wider audience and to advocate for its growth globally. At Sportsify Pickleball Academy DXB, we’re not just teaching the game but creating a community around it.

My role as the Managing Owner of the Academy and as a Founding Member of the Dubai Pro Pickleball Association reflects my commitment to energizing the sports scene in the Middle East, particularly in Dubai, where we’re seeing a tremendous growth in interest for pickleball and other emerging sports.

Beyond pickleball, as the Founder and CEO of NYSS New York Sports Services and the Business Owner and Director of Marc Massad Consultancy, I strive to create and manage innovative sports, leisure, and wellness services that resonate with diverse clientele. Through NYSS, we offer a range of programs aimed at elevating health and fitness, from Zumba and yoga to more intense offerings like Bootcamp and Circuit Training.

With my background spanning from my formative years developing expertise in operations management and business development to becoming an internationally recognized coach and manager, I’ve realized that my passion lies in making sports and fitness enjoyable and accessible. This is also why my work with Velocity Paddle is close to my heart. We focus on the joy of participation, because we believe the cost of equipment shouldn’t be a barrier to the amazing experiences sports can offer.

My extensive certifications and knowledge in coaching, particularly as a personal trainer and professional tennis instructor, align with my academic credentials—a Master’s degree in Sports Management & Business Management Marketing. Together, all these elements contribute to a holistic approach in the industry.

The cross-cultural communication skills I’ve honed through my language abilities have been incredibly valuable in this international sphere. Whether in the USA, Europe, or the GCCs, my goal always remains the same—to ensure sports are a source of health, happiness, and unity for as many people as possible.

What does success mean to you beyond financial growth, and how has your definition evolved over time?

Marc Massad : To me, success stretches far beyond financial growth; it encompasses the positive impact I’m able to make on people’s lives through sports and fitness. Over time, my definition of success has evolved significantly. In my early years, like many, I equated success with attaining a certain level of income and professional status. However, my experiences have taught me that true success lies in the value you create for others and the fulfilment that brings.

As a sports professional, witnessing someone push past their boundaries, improve health, and gain confidence is incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s through coaching at Sportsify Pickleball Academy DXB, promoting the inclusive sport of Pickleball as an IFP Ambassador with Velocity Paddle, or fostering grassroots sporting initiatives in the community, my goal is to make sports accessible and enjoyable for all.

I’ve come to realize that enriching others’ lives, whether it be through teaching life skills alongside sports skills or for fostering a sense of community, defines success for me. Every smile, every ‘thank you’, every story of personal triumph reassures me that I’m on the right path.

My role in sports management and as an entrepreneur has taught me that success is also about creating sustainable models that allow these enriching experiences to continue and grow. To achieve lasting positive impact, I’ve learned the importance of combining passion with strategic thinking.

My vision of success today is creating a legacy that reflects my commitment to sportsmanship, health, and well-being for all—irrespective of age or ability—and inspiring others to do the same. It’s about building and nurturing communities where the love for sports transcends barriers, something I strive to do every day in my work with Velocity Paddle and other organizations I’m a part of.

Can you share a specific failure or major setback that unexpectedly led to a significant breakthrough in your career?

Marc Massad : Certainly, one particular instance stands out in my professional journey that fundamentally changed my career trajectory. Early in my career, I faced what I considered a major setback when a significant investment in a new sports facility fell through. This project was intended to be a cornerstone in expanding my business presence in sports management, and its failure could have been a devastating blow.

However, this setback turned out to be a disguised opportunity. It forced me to re-evaluate my business model and approach to the sports industry. Rather than letting this challenge defeat me, I chose to pivot and focus my efforts on developing more flexible, innovative services that didn’t rely on a brick-and-mortar model—something very relevant today.

This change in direction led me to launch the Sportsify Pickleball Academy DXB, which doesn’t necessarily require a dedicated facility but can adapt to various environments. It also pushed me to fully embrace my role with Velocity Paddle as a Certified Pickleball Trainer & IFP Pickleball Ambassador, where I have the independence to grow the sport of Pickleball and promote its benefits without such a heavy reliance on physical infrastructure.

Additionally, the experience made me more attuned to the needs of my clients, who were looking for diverse and accessible sports programs. This inspired me to focus on sports solutions that emphasize participation and enjoyment, which is a philosophy I’ve carried into all my ventures, particularly with Velocity Paddle. Now, our Paddle product line is not only thriving, but we’re also contributing to a more inclusive and passionate sporting community.

This seemingly negative experience taught me resilience and highlighted the importance of adaptability in business. This approach has contributed significantly to my success as an entrepreneur and a sports industry professional, allowing me to engage with a broader audience and make a more meaningful impact in the world of sports and fitness.

How do you measure personal fulfillment and impact in your role as an entrepreneur or CEO?

Marc Massad : Measuring personal fulfillment and impact in my role as an entrepreneur and CEO spans across multiple layers of interaction and contribution to the sports and health industry, particularly in pickleball and broader fitness initiatives.

On a personal level, fulfillment comes from seeing the manifestation of my vision for sports and fitness accessibility. Whenever I step onto a pickleball court with Velocity Paddle and witness a player’s improvement or a new player’s excitement, there’s a profound sense of achievement that’s both deeply fulfilling and a testament to the effectiveness of our programs and products.

My impact, I believe, is measurable by the growth and success of the organizations I lead. As the Managing Owner of Sportsify Pickleball Academy DXB and a Founder of the Dubai Pro Pickleball Association, tracking the increase in enrollment, engagement, and the advancement of players provides quantitative data of the impact we’re making.

Moreover, success as a CEO and entrepreneur in the sports industry isn’t only in numbers. It’s also in the stories. When individuals share how our programs at Sportsify Pickleball Academy or our sessions using Velocity Paddle equipment have enhanced their health, social connections, or overall wellbeing, it reinforces that our work is influencing lives positively.

Another aspect of impact is through recognition and accolades, like the 2018 UAE Best Coach & Manager award, which validate my efforts and spur me and my team to strive for continuous improvement.

From a more operational standpoint, I gauge my impact through the successful execution of strategies that lead to business growth. This includes expanding our reach globally, developing innovative sports and fitness programs, and fostering strategic partnerships that align with our values and enhance our offerings.

Lastly, community engagement and development are integral to my fulfillment and impact measurement. Initiating and participating in community events, seeing increased interest in pickleball, and contributing to a healthier, more active society underscore the positive role I play as an entrepreneur.

In sum, my fulfillment and impact are measured by the growth of the sport, the success and innovation of our business ventures, the personal stories of people we touch, and the broader adoption of a sports-centric lifestyle across the communities we serve.

What unconventional advice or practice has helped you overcome challenges and redefine your approach to business?

Marc Massad : One piece of unconventional advice that has truly reframed how I approach my business ventures has been the emphasis on collaboration over competition. Traditionally, sports and fitness industries revolve around competitive spirit, but I’ve learned that fostering a collaborative ecosystem yields far greater rewards, for both my clients and my business.

For instance, when we launched the Sportsify Pickleball Academy DXB, rather than simply aiming to become the preeminent academy, we focused on creating partnerships with local businesses and international sports organizations. This alliance strategy not only amplified our reach but also enriched the experience we offered our clientele.

On a personal level, I’ve embraced the practice of mindfulness and visualization as part of my daily routine. This may seem disconnected from the high-energy world of sports, but it has been instrumental in maintaining my focus and resilience, especially in the face of challenges. By starting my mornings visualizing the outcomes I wish to achieve, I prime myself to look for innovative solutions throughout the day.

Another unconventional approach I’ve deployed is in our marketing strategy at Velocity Paddle. While the usual approach would be to broadly market our Paddle products, I prioritized the personal connection. I sought to understand our clients’ passion for the sport, their proficiency level, and their personal goals. Sharing my own experiences and the joy I derive from Pickleball opened a dialogue that was both genuine and deeply informative, and this has helped us tailor the products and services of Velocity Paddle to truly meet our clients’ needs.

Innovation in our offerings has also been key. For example, instead of only focusing on traditional marketing, we’ve provided free educational content and workshops, building a community around our brand. By positioning ourselves as thought leaders rather than just service providers, we’ve earned trust and loyalty that translates to sustainable business growth.

Overall, these practices have contributed to a more heartfelt connection with my clients and colleagues, allowing the companies under my direction to thrive not merely through financial gain but also through community impact and personal relationships.

How have your setbacks shaped the culture and values of your organization? Can you give an example of how these values are reflected in daily operations?

Marc Massad : Every challenge I’ve faced has been an opportunity for growth and reflection. For example, when I started the Sportsify Pickleball Academy DXB, we encountered difficulties in sourcing quality equipment that met our standards. This obstacle taught us the value of perseverance and innovation. As a result, we developed a culture that prioritizes resourcefulness and adaptability. Today, we incorporate these values in our daily operations by continuously seeking better ways to serve our clients, like recommending top-notch equipment such as Velocity Paddle, which has proven to be reliable and high-quality for our players.

In my tenure as the Managing Owner and a Certified Pickleball Trainer, I’ve learned that maintaining high standards is pivotal to the success and reputation of any sports academy. When we face setbacks, such as unfavorable weather conditions that limit our outdoor activities, we demonstrate our commitment to our core values by quickly pivoting to indoor training sessions and utilizing our time for strategy development and fitness improvement.

My dedication to making sports accessible to all is reflected in how we manage our programs at the academy. We ensure that the joy of the game and the benefits of an active lifestyle are emphasized over the commercial aspects of the sport. This approach stems from past experiences, where the high cost of sports was a barrier to entry for many potential athletes.

Through my various executive roles, including my consultancy firm, I’ve also learned the importance of resilience and leadership. Each setback faced by my clients or within my organizations has been a lesson in steering a steady course and maintaining a clear vision. For example, my work with Velocity Paddle involves problem-solving and leadership on a daily basis. Whenever there’s an unforeseen delay in product shipment or an issue with customer satisfaction, I ensure that we respond promptly, efficiently, and with a solution-oriented mindset. 

The values of perseverance, resourcefulness, inclusivity, and leadership are infused into my daily interactions and decisions, whether it’s in the training we conduct, the equipment we recommend, or the strategic direction we choose for our organizations. These principles guide me as I strive to offer the best sports, fitness, and health solutions to people of all ages and abilities.