Episode 3 Recap (Feat. EJ Tackett): The Unofficial Born To Bowl Podcast

·57 min·5 clips

EJ Tackett explains why he screams at himself after a bad shot, inspired by Tiger Woods' 30-second rule.

The episode begins with host Jared Polin announcing that he will continue posting the unofficial Born to Bowl podcast on his channel, with plans to move it to a dedicated channel if the series continues. He introduces the episode, which features an interview with professional bowler EJ Tackett, recorded while EJ is in his RV between bowling blocks. EJ discusses his current tournament standing, averaging over 250, and the high scores on tour. The conversation shifts to EJ's loss at the PBA Masters, where he needed a strike to win but left a 10-pin, missing out on a major championship. EJ shares his emotional reaction, including depression and lack of motivation afterward, and how he copes by channeling frustration like Tiger Woods. They talk about the financial aspects of professional bowling, including $500 entry fees, low prize money for rookies, and EJ's desire for increased sponsorship from companies like Dr Pepper. EJ highlights the positive impact of the HBO series Born to Bowl, noting increased social media engagement and potential for broader corporate involvement. He also discusses his admiration for bowlers like Jason Belmonte and Norm Duke, and how younger bowlers benefit from more accessible information today. The interview concludes with EJ's thoughts on retirement funds for players and his future on tour. After the interview, Jared recaps Born to Bowl episode three, detailing Simo's rushed shot due to production issues, EJ's personal life and ownership of a bowling center, and key tournament outcomes like EJ's U.S. Open win and Kyle's near-miss. The episode ends with a reminder to watch Born to Bowl on HBO.

As heard by us

A recap that sharpens pro bowling into a study of money, work, and craft.

Jared Polin frames this recap of HBO's third Born to Bull installment around pro bowling as both a sport and a livelihood. E.J. Tackett's remarks about PGA Tour amenities, retirement accounts, and the gulf between a four-million-dollar tournament and a hundred-thousand-dollar…

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Why you'd press play

A hoarse recap of Born to Bowl episode 3, plus E.J. Tackett on the show and pro bowling's money gap.

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