Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to the Party Podcast, a celebration of professional women's
disc golf with plenty of hot takes, fun stories and questions.
I'm Hannah macbeth, I'm Christine Jennings, I'm ConA Montgomery, and
we are at the Party Podcast today on the Party Podcast,
I'm excited to welcome Christy Prick. She's a passionate disc golfer,
(00:25):
a marketing specialist, and one of the powerhouse organizers behind
one of Europ's biggest disc golf events. She played a
key role in hosting the twenty twenty three European Disc
Golf Championships and then helped organize what many are calling
the best disc golf event ever, which was the twenty
twenty four European Disc Golf Festival. So now in twenty
twenty five, she's helping bring Estonia its first PDGA major,
(00:50):
leveling up the sport in a massive way. So whether
she's behind a camera behind the scenes of a major event,
Christy brings creativity, drive, and deep love for the discolf community.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
So Christy, welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Hello, thank you for having me. How are you? How
are things? It's going good.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
The weather has finally picked up here too, so we
can finally play dis golf in good weather. And summer
is starting, so it's getting better and the event is
getting closer.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
So more and more work with it, but so more
and more. Yeah, but the excitement is high, so it's
going great. Yeah, Yeah, that's awesome. Well, I'm so excited
to have you here.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
And I love talking about business, so I'm excited to
ask you all about the business aspects of everything you
have going on.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
But before we dive into all of that, I did
a little bit of digging.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
It looks like you became an official PDGA member in
twenty twenty four which is just last year, so I
want to know, like how you got started in disc golf.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
We started playing in twenty fourteen, I think when they
opened the local course here in Thailand, the not my
course soever Estonian who listens to so it knows the course,
and we just didn't know what to do during the summer.
And then we went and rented a couple of discs
and my boyfriend was immediately hooked, so he started paying
(02:12):
like more, but I just you know, casually around here
or there. And then in twenty nineteen, when I got
pregnant with my little baby. Then I took a break
from this golf and that's when Christie LEDs.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Rice began.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
So in twenty twenty three, I felt like it was
time to get back to this golf after taking like
a mama break, and then then.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
I just started paying more and more.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
It was the first time when I was actually trying
to get better instead of just going out and being
disappointed in myself because I hadn't like practiced anything. But
then I don't know, started taking some personal trainings.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
And stuff, and then.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
My boyfriend somehow got me into competing as well as
like yeah, no, sign up here and let's go together.
And in twenty twenty four, I only signed signed to
the PDJ because of the Nokia much or open event
that I don't know how, but once.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Again my boyfriend got me to sign up.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
And it was also like on Mother's Day, so I
got my first ever phidy j win from there on
Mother's Day. But also because I played so good, we
missed like the last vote back from Finland to Estonia,
so we couldn't be together on Mother's Day, so it
(03:40):
was a very hard day for both of us, but
at least I got, you know, the win and she
was very happy that I got like the big golden trophy.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Yeah wow.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
So you started playing, you said, in twenty fourteen, so
over ten years now.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Okay, so you've been involved in this golf for quite
some time.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Yes, but it was never not anything serious, you know,
just you know, casual with friends and stuff.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
So but then in the last two.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
Years, the rise of the seriousness of this golf has
been like pretty big for me.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yeah wow, that's incredible. So how did all of this happen?
Speaker 1 (04:17):
And this as in you being involved with the European
Disco Fastival, that is a huge event. I mean even
before then you were helping with the European des Culp Championships,
which is massive. So explain that a little bit.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
It was in May twenty twenty three when Mike Yes,
one of the main organizers, posted on Facebook, like on
a Estonian group that they're looking for someone to do
social media for the championships. Just you know, sent him
an email and told him that I'm interested in and
(04:50):
from what I've heard, and they had quite many people
who wanted the role obviously because it was like a
big thing.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
But somehow I got lucky enough.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
To be the chosen one and two years later here
we are.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Wow, So what do you do more day to day?
Speaker 1 (05:07):
Like, how are you involved with this event with your
capacity as a marketing specialist?
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Is that what you're doing with them as well?
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (05:15):
I do, Like all of our social media is managed
by me, but also there are like marketing side tasks
that I do together with Mikes and Silva, mainly collaborations
with the influencers and stuff like that, and also like here,
some other things here and there, but mostly it's a
(05:35):
social media and marketing gap.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Yeah, what is it like shifting from playing to them now?
Just like being thrown into part of an organization of
a large event.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
I think it's given a lot to me as a
player as well. You know, first of all, seeing or
being around all of the top players first from Europe
and now from like the whole world and seeing them,
you know, playing from such like a close range, and
it has motivated me a lot to get better, Not
(06:09):
that I've ever dreamt of, you know, playing a major,
but still you know, seeing it also close and it's
it's given me a lot personally but also not only
in dis Gulf, but also.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
You know how who I've become as a person.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Now, I've gained a lot of self trust and confidence
from the experiences. So it's you know, it's been a
life changing even for me.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
To be included in the team.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Yeah, that has to be such a good feeling. I
kind of know what that feels like.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
So in twenty twenty four, the European Discolf Festival gotten
a lot of praise.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
People love that event.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
So what do you think was something that made it
so successful?
Speaker 4 (07:02):
I think it's easy way to explain it.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Our goal from day one has been.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
To make our event the best event ever and a
good goal. Yeah, but you know, it's it feels also
good when in the first one or two years you've
already reached that goal. But then when you achieve something,
then you want to keep getting better and better and
(07:29):
better and more and more and more. So it's also
been like, you know, very interesting in seeing how many
more big things we can come up with, or how
much bigger can we get and how much better we
can get. So it's been a lot of learning and
fun as well. Lots of hours have been there, lots
(07:51):
of sleepless nights during the festival times, but.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Then it's been worth it.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
Because when you listen to all the podcasts later and
see the videos and the players, everybody just you know,
coming up to you and telling you that you're doing
such a great job. And also the first year when
our president came to give Christian her award, it was
also like like he came up to me and shook
(08:17):
my hand that told me personally that you're doing such
a great job and this is like one of the
best things that's ever happened to Estonian sports. And you know,
just it's like a special feeling and it feels like
really good.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
To be in it.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Yes, And I think most discoverers that have played events
understand all the hard work that goes behind tournaments.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Like I work for the.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Disc of Pro Tour and I work close with the
operations team, so I.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Also understand all the hours that go behind all the
planning and especially on site when the event is happening,
you know, you have to make sure that everything's perfect.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
So I totally understand that. Would you say that that's
one of the most.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Challenging parts of the European Disco Festival is just like
the hours you're working during or do you have a
different challenl Unch maybe that you faced.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
I think the most difficult party is the hours during
the week or and the week cleaning up to it,
especially because you know, we get on like the gates
open at like seven to the players, so which this
means that.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
We have to be there earlier. Not the every day, but.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Like especially medi with social media, you know, you want
to like see when people go on the first tea
and do the first.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Shots of today and everything.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
And being away from my family for such a long
time is also like hard. Sometimes I get home when
my daughter's always sleeping and I leave when she's still sleeping.
So but luckily she and also my boyfriend are very
big fans of this golf festival.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
And every time we.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
See some of our commercials out on the courses or
in TV or when Christie like is playing somewhere, they
might just say like, oh, it's Christie.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Let's look at the disc goulf and everything. So she's
a fan. That's awesome. You're talking about commercials.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Do you do the editing as well or are you
more on site doing the shooting and getting the content.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
Well? For social media, I do all of the editing,
but for like your TV ads and stuff like that
that comes from someone else.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Yeah, social media is a lot of work, any sort
of Yeah, really definitely. Can you talk us through a
little bit more of behind the scenes of the work
that's involved in terms of everything that you do for
the event.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
Yeah, for me, it's uh, you know, draining my battery
like four times a day, especially like during demn't I
carry like a tote bag or like you know a
bum bag that has like my battery back and my
microphones and everything. And I just you know, run around.
Somebody who shoots the hot round and I'm like, oh,
where are they? We have those walkie talkies in our years.
(10:50):
And then somebody's like, yeah, he shot the hot round.
He said, like taking some snacks now come here, and
the interview and then we do all of that. Then
lots of lots of like you know, hey tick ideas
that pop up like in a moment. But also it's
a lot less glamors as I maybe or maybe like
(11:13):
a lot less glamorous than somebody might think. It's still
lots of you know, running around, hustling last minute they did,
and all kinds of stuff. So it's it's lots of
like hard work and some tears might have been shed
here and there, but in the end, if the event
is a succeist and it's all.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Worth it, Yes, definitely. Well looking forward to the.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Twenty twenty five PDJ Major, So this is going to
be Estonia's first PDJ Major. That's a huge milestone. How
are you feeling about it? Are you do you feel prepared?
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Are you nervous? Excited?
Speaker 4 (11:50):
I think excited is the most correct word. There's still
lots of work to do before we get to the event,
but it's all like good nervousness or excitement because.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
We know that everything is going to be great.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
Even though we've said the standards very high, we're still
gonna try to outdo ourselves this year as well. So
I'm very excited to see how all things work out
this year.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Yeah, that's exciting.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
I have a couple other questions about just social media
and marketing in general.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
What is your.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Philosophy when it comes to using social media to grow
the sport?
Speaker 3 (12:33):
So I think I really like raw emotions and you know.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Like to show that there's like a person behind the
account and there's like all the players are actually like people.
Like Yes, they're one of the best of the world,
but still they're just human and showing emotions and showing
how they also sometimes have short missputs or they hit
(13:02):
the first available or whatever, you know, just to show
that everybody makes mistakes and if you hit the first available,
it's not like the worst thing in the world that
could happen, you know, just you know, be be human everywhere.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
How do you balance showing the competitive side of disc
golf while also making content that people will want to watch.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
I feel like sometimes it's a hard lined or balance
to make.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
I think people also want to see the competitiveness because
that always, you know, drama is always where people are
and people are, you know, interested in all of it.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
So so I.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Think sometimes you know, you have to maybe make drama
or make interesting points even when there maybe isn't it
like really in the story.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Sometimes you know it has to be the drama.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
Queen yourself, we know all about that.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
That's so funny. I love that.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
So Colin and I had a conversation last week about
social media platforms. This is a kind of a random question.
We were talking about different platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube,
YouTube shorts. You know, there's a bunch of different platforms
out there. Do you what is your preference and why?
Speaker 4 (14:25):
As a consumer, I do love TikTok, like I know
I shouldn't use it and all of the like everything
that's behind it, I hate it.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
But as a just like you know, like the basic consumer,
I love it.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
I've also recently started, you know, my own account or
showing my own like throws and stuff, and it's fun.
It's very addictive to see like how many viewers have
I gotten this time and everything and follow you.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
I have to go find you later.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
It's it's the same account as my Instagram is, so
you should find it pretty. But for.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
As like a manager, I love Instagram. I think you
know the stories for everything that's happening right here, and
they're like here in the moment. But then you also
can you know, manage or make your feet look a
certain way.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Or everything like that. So I think you still program
is like my preferred as a manager.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Yeah that makes sense. I can see that from like
a business perspective. Kona loves Instagram, and I loved Instagram
at one point, but I just feel like the engagement
or maybe my algorithm is thrown off or something, but.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
I just feel like TikTok. I'm biased. I just like
TikTok more.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
I think that's why we just.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Like to have these conversations.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Is there any social media lessons that you've learned along
the way, like anything that sticks out?
Speaker 4 (16:08):
I think the biggest thing I've learned to always keep
an eye on which account you're posting on, because I
have like six accounts like linked in my Instagram, and
I've made the mistake of you know, sometimes posting to
the wrong place, and you know, all of the other
accounts that I've asked to be collaborators have already accepted that.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
I'm like, it's the wrong account. I did the thing.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
I did the same mistake last year with you know,
we had made these like a minute long wheels out
of each competition day to post next morning, and I
posted one of them and I was like, why am
I personally getting so many followers? And that I saw
that it's on my own account, So I just you know,
invited all of the other like our Discal Festival Instagram
(16:54):
and our Discolled Instagram to be a collaborators, and you know,
kind of hit it there. But it was great from
my own personal account growth as well. So it's a
blessing in disguise.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yes, perfect. I love that.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Well, going back to disc off and events in general,
what's this What is the vibe or the atmosphere like
in terms of the disc of community in Estonia and
across Europe right now.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
I think it's, uh, everybody's very excited about all of
the big events coming to Europe with you know, our
major and world just like you know, two weeks after US.
So it's been it's been very interesting seeing the growth
of you know, we've had good players for a while now,
(17:46):
especially Christin and and from Finland, de Velina and Nicholas
and everything, but to see like the organizational side of
it also growing and people you know believing more in uh,
in the ability of having tours here in Europe as well,
and the European stretch growing longer and longer each year.
(18:08):
So I think it's been also great for level as well.
People see more players, we get more courses each year,
our main news outlets all cover whenever Christian wins or
doesn't win, and.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
What would you love to see more of when it
comes to growing women's the skulf just in general.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Somebody giving out good tips on how to grow women's
sports or junior sports.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
I think it's like a struggle that everybody.
Speaker 4 (18:44):
Experiences, is like how to get more women to play
and then how to get them to compete.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
But I think that's also you know, why.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
Each European country should have somebody like Christian because, like
I said earlier, like for like before placed dis called
for me was just you know, hanging out with my
boyfriend on the course. But now I've seen that you
can actually do something and be something with the sport,
and it's been very encouraging for me. So I think,
(19:15):
you know, showing more of those happy stories or experiences
is very important to have to show like young girls
or boys even yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Yeah, yeah, I love that. So for the five.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Major that's coming, can you give us a preview of
what players and fans could expect from the event.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
I think the most weighted part of it for us
is the cool but present Superstar Challenge where similar to
last year we had the pre event, where this year
we have sixteen of the world's best player, so we
(20:00):
have four teams of four who will compete in Also,
like the same three challenges, so distant accuracy and putting,
and then we'll have an Estonian pop folk band.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Also getting on stage and given the concert. So I
think that's going to be great.
Speaker 4 (20:19):
We're expecting many people to come as well because that
Attack the band is going on a hiatus in the
in the fall, so they will hopefully will get lots
of people there. And also, you know, mixing like a
musician or a band with the sport, it's also a
(20:41):
great way how to show like the broader public the sport,
especially like if we make a show.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
But yeah, I think we're.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Just excited to you know, have four days of fun
instead of the three days of fun that.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
We've had and having like even bigger names.
Speaker 4 (20:59):
E you that we've had the event, coming here and
starving our best, and hopefully we'll be making the course
harder as well. We're gonna have some completely new holes
and the others are gonna be longer and tighter. And
it's you know, we've heard that our court like the
event was great, but the course was too easy. Hopefully
(21:20):
we're gonna fix that the issue with this year as
well and give more challenges to the players.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Yeah, that's so exciting.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
Well, do you have any advice for women who would
want to get involved with like any sort of.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Event planning or event management and things like that.
Speaker 4 (21:39):
Just jump on every opportunity you get.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
Build your own social media.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
It doesn't have to be, you know, something very deep
or very you know, artistically well done or whatever. Just
do whatever you like, grow like your own brand, and then.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
People will notice you.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
Because I can't say that I'm a good player, but
I also can see just you know, the medium player.
But because of my own social media accounts, I think
that's why I've made it to where I am today.
So just you know, put yourself out there and believe
(22:26):
in yourself, and if you don't believe in yourself, still
do it. And you know, fake it till you make it.
Has been my motto for the last two years. Sometimes
I feel like, why am I? You know this good
old imposters interrome that I think every woman has had
at least like one hundred times.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
In their lives.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
There are so many mornings when I wake up like
how did I get here? Why do they trust me
with everything? But then I do it and then people
say that it's the best event there.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Maybe I did a good job.
Speaker 4 (22:57):
Maybe, but still, you know, have to get better and
they're and the braver and border and everything. So just
believe in yourself and if there's a opportunity to chump
to it, then just send your CV and DM them
and whatever. And the worst thing that they can do
is say no, so DC, that's so true.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
The worst they can do is say now, So take
the opportunities right Well, after the event is over.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
I know this is we're jumping really far ahead now,
But do you have anything planned after the.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
European swing is over?
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Maybe some time for yourself or anything like that.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Well, my vacation in on the like Sunday that win
the event, So basically just get back to my real
work that I'm gonna be away from the whole July.
But there's also the ACDC concert happening on the twenty
fourth of July, I think, so four days after David.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
So I'm gonna be away from.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
The tellis Ocasive grounds for three days and then I'm
gonna gonna go back, but.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
This time to enjoy and not to organize. Not that
I don't enjoy the organization, but you.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Know, yeah, yeah, that's exciting.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
Well, do you have any other shout outs or any
announcements or anything exciting that you want to share with
us before we wrap up.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
I think just if you have the possibility to come
and see, then you shoot. And if you don't, then
just you know, difficult network is gonna throw what we
do to everybody. So just you know, get your subscriptions
and check out what we do because it's gonna be
even bigger and better than ever before. And the ticket
(24:38):
to the event also helps. And if you can come there,
then we're selling support your tickets that you can just
buy like a ticket that you don't actually get like
a ticket with and there's also like graphuls there so
you can win prices when you buy the support tickets.
So you can just check out our homepage this festival
dot com and then you can see the ticket the
(25:02):
links there and just you know support us to help
us make it even better.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
Yeah, that's perfect.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
Well you heard it here she said, go get your
tickets and if you can't be there on site, then
you can watch you on DGN. And on DGN is
also amazing, so I also recommend that. Well, thank you
so much for taking the time to speak with us
and be on our show and share everything DGF related.
I wish you the best of luck and I have
a lot of work coming ahead of you, but I'm
(25:32):
sure you're gonna kill it and I look forward to
catching up with you in the future.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
Thank you for having me and I see you in
this toonia hopefully awesome.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Thank you so much, Bye bye.
Speaker 5 (25:48):
Thank you for listening to The Party Podcast with Hannah McBeth,
Christine Jennings and Cohona Montgomery, produced by me Hannah m macbeth.
For more information on our show, pro tour events, or
to submit your own fan questions, follow us on Instagram.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Please rate, review, and
Speaker 5 (26:04):
Subscribe to The Party Podcast wherever fun podcasts are downloaded.
Welcome to the Party Podcast, a celebration of professional women's
disc golf with plenty of hot takes, fun stories and questions.
I'm Hannah macbeth, I'm Christine Jennings, I'm ConA Montgomery, and
we are at the Party Podcast today on the Party Podcast,
I'm excited to welcome Christy Prick. She's a passionate disc golfer,
(00:25):
a marketing specialist, and one of the powerhouse organizers behind
one of Europ's biggest disc golf events. She played a
key role in hosting the twenty twenty three European Disc
Golf Championships and then helped organize what many are calling
the best disc golf event ever, which was the twenty
twenty four European Disc Golf Festival. So now in twenty
twenty five, she's helping bring Estonia its first PDGA major,
(00:50):
leveling up the sport in a massive way. So whether
she's behind a camera behind the scenes of a major event,
Christy brings creativity, drive, and deep love for the discolf community.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
So Christy, welcome to the podcast.
Speaker 3 (01:03):
Hello, thank you for having me. How are you? How
are things? It's going good.
Speaker 4 (01:09):
The weather has finally picked up here too, so we
can finally play dis golf in good weather. And summer
is starting, so it's getting better and the event is
getting closer.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
So more and more work with it, but so more
and more. Yeah, but the excitement is high, so it's
going great. Yeah, Yeah, that's awesome. Well, I'm so excited
to have you here.
Speaker 1 (01:30):
And I love talking about business, so I'm excited to
ask you all about the business aspects of everything you
have going on.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
But before we dive into all of that, I did
a little bit of digging.
Speaker 1 (01:41):
It looks like you became an official PDGA member in
twenty twenty four which is just last year, so I
want to know, like how you got started in disc golf.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
We started playing in twenty fourteen, I think when they
opened the local course here in Thailand, the not my
course soever Estonian who listens to so it knows the course,
and we just didn't know what to do during the summer.
And then we went and rented a couple of discs
and my boyfriend was immediately hooked, so he started paying
(02:12):
like more, but I just you know, casually around here
or there. And then in twenty nineteen, when I got
pregnant with my little baby. Then I took a break
from this golf and that's when Christie LEDs.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Rice began.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
So in twenty twenty three, I felt like it was
time to get back to this golf after taking like
a mama break, and then then.
Speaker 3 (02:43):
I just started paying more and more.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
It was the first time when I was actually trying
to get better instead of just going out and being
disappointed in myself because I hadn't like practiced anything. But
then I don't know, started taking some personal trainings.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
And stuff, and then.
Speaker 4 (03:00):
My boyfriend somehow got me into competing as well as
like yeah, no, sign up here and let's go together.
And in twenty twenty four, I only signed signed to
the PDJ because of the Nokia much or open event
that I don't know how, but once.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
Again my boyfriend got me to sign up.
Speaker 4 (03:20):
And it was also like on Mother's Day, so I
got my first ever phidy j win from there on
Mother's Day. But also because I played so good, we
missed like the last vote back from Finland to Estonia,
so we couldn't be together on Mother's Day, so it
(03:40):
was a very hard day for both of us, but
at least I got, you know, the win and she
was very happy that I got like the big golden trophy.
Speaker 3 (03:49):
Yeah wow.
Speaker 1 (03:50):
So you started playing, you said, in twenty fourteen, so
over ten years now.
Speaker 2 (03:55):
Okay, so you've been involved in this golf for quite
some time.
Speaker 4 (03:59):
Yes, but it was never not anything serious, you know,
just you know, casual with friends and stuff.
Speaker 3 (04:03):
So but then in the last two.
Speaker 4 (04:05):
Years, the rise of the seriousness of this golf has
been like pretty big for me.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
Yeah wow, that's incredible. So how did all of this happen?
Speaker 1 (04:17):
And this as in you being involved with the European
Disco Fastival, that is a huge event. I mean even
before then you were helping with the European des Culp Championships,
which is massive. So explain that a little bit.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:30):
It was in May twenty twenty three when Mike Yes,
one of the main organizers, posted on Facebook, like on
a Estonian group that they're looking for someone to do
social media for the championships. Just you know, sent him
an email and told him that I'm interested in and
(04:50):
from what I've heard, and they had quite many people
who wanted the role obviously because it was like a
big thing.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
But somehow I got lucky enough.
Speaker 4 (04:58):
To be the chosen one and two years later here
we are.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Wow, So what do you do more day to day?
Speaker 1 (05:07):
Like, how are you involved with this event with your
capacity as a marketing specialist?
Speaker 2 (05:12):
Is that what you're doing with them as well?
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (05:15):
I do, Like all of our social media is managed
by me, but also there are like marketing side tasks
that I do together with Mikes and Silva, mainly collaborations
with the influencers and stuff like that, and also like here,
some other things here and there, but mostly it's a
(05:35):
social media and marketing gap.
Speaker 1 (05:37):
Yeah, what is it like shifting from playing to them now?
Just like being thrown into part of an organization of
a large event.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
I think it's given a lot to me as a
player as well. You know, first of all, seeing or
being around all of the top players first from Europe
and now from like the whole world and seeing them,
you know, playing from such like a close range, and
it has motivated me a lot to get better, Not
(06:09):
that I've ever dreamt of, you know, playing a major,
but still you know, seeing it also close and it's
it's given me a lot personally but also not only
in dis Gulf, but also.
Speaker 3 (06:21):
You know how who I've become as a person.
Speaker 4 (06:24):
Now, I've gained a lot of self trust and confidence
from the experiences. So it's you know, it's been a
life changing even for me.
Speaker 3 (06:36):
To be included in the team.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
Yeah, that has to be such a good feeling. I
kind of know what that feels like.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
So in twenty twenty four, the European Discolf Festival gotten
a lot of praise.
Speaker 3 (06:57):
People love that event.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
So what do you think was something that made it
so successful?
Speaker 4 (07:02):
I think it's easy way to explain it.
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Our goal from day one has been.
Speaker 4 (07:09):
To make our event the best event ever and a
good goal. Yeah, but you know, it's it feels also
good when in the first one or two years you've
already reached that goal. But then when you achieve something,
then you want to keep getting better and better and
(07:29):
better and more and more and more. So it's also
been like, you know, very interesting in seeing how many
more big things we can come up with, or how
much bigger can we get and how much better we
can get. So it's been a lot of learning and
fun as well. Lots of hours have been there, lots
(07:51):
of sleepless nights during the festival times, but.
Speaker 3 (07:55):
Then it's been worth it.
Speaker 4 (07:56):
Because when you listen to all the podcasts later and
see the videos and the players, everybody just you know,
coming up to you and telling you that you're doing
such a great job. And also the first year when
our president came to give Christian her award, it was
also like like he came up to me and shook
(08:17):
my hand that told me personally that you're doing such
a great job and this is like one of the
best things that's ever happened to Estonian sports. And you know,
just it's like a special feeling and it feels like
really good.
Speaker 3 (08:29):
To be in it.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
Yes, And I think most discoverers that have played events
understand all the hard work that goes behind tournaments.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
Like I work for the.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Disc of Pro Tour and I work close with the
operations team, so I.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Also understand all the hours that go behind all the
planning and especially on site when the event is happening,
you know, you have to make sure that everything's perfect.
Speaker 2 (08:49):
So I totally understand that. Would you say that that's
one of the most.
Speaker 1 (08:53):
Challenging parts of the European Disco Festival is just like
the hours you're working during or do you have a
different challenl Unch maybe that you faced.
Speaker 4 (09:02):
I think the most difficult party is the hours during
the week or and the week cleaning up to it,
especially because you know, we get on like the gates
open at like seven to the players, so which this
means that.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
We have to be there earlier. Not the every day, but.
Speaker 4 (09:18):
Like especially medi with social media, you know, you want
to like see when people go on the first tea
and do the first.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Shots of today and everything.
Speaker 4 (09:25):
And being away from my family for such a long
time is also like hard. Sometimes I get home when
my daughter's always sleeping and I leave when she's still sleeping.
So but luckily she and also my boyfriend are very
big fans of this golf festival.
Speaker 3 (09:42):
And every time we.
Speaker 4 (09:43):
See some of our commercials out on the courses or
in TV or when Christie like is playing somewhere, they
might just say like, oh, it's Christie.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Let's look at the disc goulf and everything. So she's
a fan. That's awesome. You're talking about commercials.
Speaker 1 (09:59):
Do you do the editing as well or are you
more on site doing the shooting and getting the content.
Speaker 4 (10:06):
Well? For social media, I do all of the editing,
but for like your TV ads and stuff like that
that comes from someone else.
Speaker 1 (10:15):
Yeah, social media is a lot of work, any sort
of Yeah, really definitely. Can you talk us through a
little bit more of behind the scenes of the work
that's involved in terms of everything that you do for
the event.
Speaker 4 (10:30):
Yeah, for me, it's uh, you know, draining my battery
like four times a day, especially like during demn't I
carry like a tote bag or like you know a
bum bag that has like my battery back and my
microphones and everything. And I just you know, run around.
Somebody who shoots the hot round and I'm like, oh,
where are they? We have those walkie talkies in our years.
(10:50):
And then somebody's like, yeah, he shot the hot round.
He said, like taking some snacks now come here, and
the interview and then we do all of that. Then
lots of lots of like you know, hey tick ideas
that pop up like in a moment. But also it's
a lot less glamors as I maybe or maybe like
(11:13):
a lot less glamorous than somebody might think. It's still
lots of you know, running around, hustling last minute they did,
and all kinds of stuff. So it's it's lots of
like hard work and some tears might have been shed
here and there, but in the end, if the event
is a succeist and it's all.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
Worth it, Yes, definitely. Well looking forward to the.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Twenty twenty five PDJ Major, So this is going to
be Estonia's first PDJ Major. That's a huge milestone. How
are you feeling about it? Are you do you feel prepared?
Speaker 3 (11:47):
Are you nervous? Excited?
Speaker 4 (11:50):
I think excited is the most correct word. There's still
lots of work to do before we get to the event,
but it's all like good nervousness or excitement because.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
We know that everything is going to be great.
Speaker 4 (12:06):
Even though we've said the standards very high, we're still
gonna try to outdo ourselves this year as well. So
I'm very excited to see how all things work out
this year.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Yeah, that's exciting.
Speaker 1 (12:24):
I have a couple other questions about just social media
and marketing in general.
Speaker 4 (12:28):
What is your.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Philosophy when it comes to using social media to grow
the sport?
Speaker 3 (12:33):
So I think I really like raw emotions and you know.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
Like to show that there's like a person behind the
account and there's like all the players are actually like people.
Like Yes, they're one of the best of the world,
but still they're just human and showing emotions and showing
how they also sometimes have short missputs or they hit
(13:02):
the first available or whatever, you know, just to show
that everybody makes mistakes and if you hit the first available,
it's not like the worst thing in the world that
could happen, you know, just you know, be be human everywhere.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
How do you balance showing the competitive side of disc
golf while also making content that people will want to watch.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
I feel like sometimes it's a hard lined or balance
to make.
Speaker 4 (13:27):
I think people also want to see the competitiveness because
that always, you know, drama is always where people are
and people are, you know, interested in all of it.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
So so I.
Speaker 4 (13:40):
Think sometimes you know, you have to maybe make drama
or make interesting points even when there maybe isn't it
like really in the story.
Speaker 3 (13:53):
Sometimes you know it has to be the drama.
Speaker 1 (13:54):
Queen yourself, we know all about that.
Speaker 3 (14:00):
That's so funny. I love that.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
So Colin and I had a conversation last week about
social media platforms. This is a kind of a random question.
We were talking about different platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube,
YouTube shorts. You know, there's a bunch of different platforms
out there. Do you what is your preference and why?
Speaker 4 (14:25):
As a consumer, I do love TikTok, like I know
I shouldn't use it and all of the like everything
that's behind it, I hate it.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
But as a just like you know, like the basic consumer,
I love it.
Speaker 4 (14:39):
I've also recently started, you know, my own account or
showing my own like throws and stuff, and it's fun.
It's very addictive to see like how many viewers have
I gotten this time and everything and follow you.
Speaker 2 (14:54):
I have to go find you later.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
It's it's the same account as my Instagram is, so
you should find it pretty. But for.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
As like a manager, I love Instagram. I think you
know the stories for everything that's happening right here, and
they're like here in the moment. But then you also
can you know, manage or make your feet look a
certain way.
Speaker 3 (15:22):
Or everything like that. So I think you still program
is like my preferred as a manager.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Yeah that makes sense. I can see that from like
a business perspective. Kona loves Instagram, and I loved Instagram
at one point, but I just feel like the engagement
or maybe my algorithm is thrown off or something, but.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
I just feel like TikTok. I'm biased. I just like
TikTok more.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
I think that's why we just.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Like to have these conversations.
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Is there any social media lessons that you've learned along
the way, like anything that sticks out?
Speaker 4 (16:08):
I think the biggest thing I've learned to always keep
an eye on which account you're posting on, because I
have like six accounts like linked in my Instagram, and
I've made the mistake of you know, sometimes posting to
the wrong place, and you know, all of the other
accounts that I've asked to be collaborators have already accepted that.
Speaker 3 (16:29):
I'm like, it's the wrong account. I did the thing.
Speaker 4 (16:32):
I did the same mistake last year with you know,
we had made these like a minute long wheels out
of each competition day to post next morning, and I
posted one of them and I was like, why am
I personally getting so many followers? And that I saw
that it's on my own account, So I just you know,
invited all of the other like our Discal Festival Instagram
(16:54):
and our Discolled Instagram to be a collaborators, and you know,
kind of hit it there. But it was great from
my own personal account growth as well. So it's a
blessing in disguise.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
Yes, perfect. I love that.
Speaker 1 (17:12):
Well, going back to disc off and events in general,
what's this What is the vibe or the atmosphere like
in terms of the disc of community in Estonia and
across Europe right now.
Speaker 4 (17:25):
I think it's, uh, everybody's very excited about all of
the big events coming to Europe with you know, our
major and world just like you know, two weeks after US.
So it's been it's been very interesting seeing the growth
of you know, we've had good players for a while now,
(17:46):
especially Christin and and from Finland, de Velina and Nicholas
and everything, but to see like the organizational side of
it also growing and people you know believing more in uh,
in the ability of having tours here in Europe as well,
and the European stretch growing longer and longer each year.
(18:08):
So I think it's been also great for level as well.
People see more players, we get more courses each year,
our main news outlets all cover whenever Christian wins or
doesn't win, and.
Speaker 2 (18:26):
Yeah, that's great.
Speaker 1 (18:28):
What would you love to see more of when it
comes to growing women's the skulf just in general.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Somebody giving out good tips on how to grow women's
sports or junior sports.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
I think it's like a struggle that everybody.
Speaker 4 (18:44):
Experiences, is like how to get more women to play
and then how to get them to compete.
Speaker 3 (18:50):
But I think that's also you know, why.
Speaker 4 (18:53):
Each European country should have somebody like Christian because, like
I said earlier, like for like before placed dis called
for me was just you know, hanging out with my
boyfriend on the course. But now I've seen that you
can actually do something and be something with the sport,
and it's been very encouraging for me. So I think,
(19:15):
you know, showing more of those happy stories or experiences
is very important to have to show like young girls
or boys even yeah.
Speaker 3 (19:26):
Yeah, yeah, I love that. So for the five.
Speaker 1 (19:31):
Major that's coming, can you give us a preview of
what players and fans could expect from the event.
Speaker 4 (19:38):
I think the most weighted part of it for us
is the cool but present Superstar Challenge where similar to
last year we had the pre event, where this year
we have sixteen of the world's best player, so we
(20:00):
have four teams of four who will compete in Also,
like the same three challenges, so distant accuracy and putting,
and then we'll have an Estonian pop folk band.
Speaker 3 (20:14):
Also getting on stage and given the concert. So I
think that's going to be great.
Speaker 4 (20:19):
We're expecting many people to come as well because that
Attack the band is going on a hiatus in the
in the fall, so they will hopefully will get lots
of people there. And also, you know, mixing like a
musician or a band with the sport, it's also a
(20:41):
great way how to show like the broader public the sport,
especially like if we make a show.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
But yeah, I think we're.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
Just excited to you know, have four days of fun
instead of the three days of fun that.
Speaker 3 (20:56):
We've had and having like even bigger names.
Speaker 4 (20:59):
E you that we've had the event, coming here and
starving our best, and hopefully we'll be making the course
harder as well. We're gonna have some completely new holes
and the others are gonna be longer and tighter. And
it's you know, we've heard that our court like the
event was great, but the course was too easy. Hopefully
(21:20):
we're gonna fix that the issue with this year as
well and give more challenges to the players.
Speaker 2 (21:27):
Yeah, that's so exciting.
Speaker 1 (21:30):
Well, do you have any advice for women who would
want to get involved with like any sort of.
Speaker 2 (21:36):
Event planning or event management and things like that.
Speaker 4 (21:39):
Just jump on every opportunity you get.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
Build your own social media.
Speaker 4 (21:46):
It doesn't have to be, you know, something very deep
or very you know, artistically well done or whatever. Just
do whatever you like, grow like your own brand, and then.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
People will notice you.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
Because I can't say that I'm a good player, but
I also can see just you know, the medium player.
But because of my own social media accounts, I think
that's why I've made it to where I am today.
So just you know, put yourself out there and believe
(22:26):
in yourself, and if you don't believe in yourself, still
do it. And you know, fake it till you make it.
Has been my motto for the last two years. Sometimes
I feel like, why am I? You know this good
old imposters interrome that I think every woman has had
at least like one hundred times.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
In their lives.
Speaker 4 (22:44):
There are so many mornings when I wake up like
how did I get here? Why do they trust me
with everything? But then I do it and then people
say that it's the best event there.
Speaker 3 (22:55):
Maybe I did a good job.
Speaker 4 (22:57):
Maybe, but still, you know, have to get better and
they're and the braver and border and everything. So just
believe in yourself and if there's a opportunity to chump
to it, then just send your CV and DM them
and whatever. And the worst thing that they can do
is say no, so DC, that's so true.
Speaker 2 (23:17):
The worst they can do is say now, So take
the opportunities right Well, after the event is over.
Speaker 1 (23:24):
I know this is we're jumping really far ahead now,
But do you have anything planned after the.
Speaker 3 (23:30):
European swing is over?
Speaker 2 (23:32):
Maybe some time for yourself or anything like that.
Speaker 4 (23:35):
Well, my vacation in on the like Sunday that win
the event, So basically just get back to my real
work that I'm gonna be away from the whole July.
But there's also the ACDC concert happening on the twenty
fourth of July, I think, so four days after David.
Speaker 3 (23:55):
So I'm gonna be away from.
Speaker 4 (23:57):
The tellis Ocasive grounds for three days and then I'm
gonna gonna go back, but.
Speaker 3 (24:01):
This time to enjoy and not to organize. Not that
I don't enjoy the organization, but you.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
Know, yeah, yeah, that's exciting.
Speaker 1 (24:10):
Well, do you have any other shout outs or any
announcements or anything exciting that you want to share with
us before we wrap up.
Speaker 4 (24:16):
I think just if you have the possibility to come
and see, then you shoot. And if you don't, then
just you know, difficult network is gonna throw what we
do to everybody. So just you know, get your subscriptions
and check out what we do because it's gonna be
even bigger and better than ever before. And the ticket
(24:38):
to the event also helps. And if you can come there,
then we're selling support your tickets that you can just
buy like a ticket that you don't actually get like
a ticket with and there's also like graphuls there so
you can win prices when you buy the support tickets.
So you can just check out our homepage this festival
dot com and then you can see the ticket the
(25:02):
links there and just you know support us to help
us make it even better.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
Yeah, that's perfect.
Speaker 1 (25:10):
Well you heard it here she said, go get your
tickets and if you can't be there on site, then
you can watch you on DGN. And on DGN is
also amazing, so I also recommend that. Well, thank you
so much for taking the time to speak with us
and be on our show and share everything DGF related.
I wish you the best of luck and I have
a lot of work coming ahead of you, but I'm
(25:32):
sure you're gonna kill it and I look forward to
catching up with you in the future.
Speaker 4 (25:35):
Thank you for having me and I see you in
this toonia hopefully awesome.
Speaker 2 (25:39):
Thank you so much, Bye bye.
Speaker 5 (25:48):
Thank you for listening to The Party Podcast with Hannah McBeth,
Christine Jennings and Cohona Montgomery, produced by me Hannah m macbeth.
For more information on our show, pro tour events, or
to submit your own fan questions, follow us on Instagram.
Speaker 3 (26:02):
Please rate, review, and
Speaker 5 (26:04):
Subscribe to The Party Podcast wherever fun podcasts are downloaded.
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