Who is Rob?
Diagnosed with perianal Crohn's disease in 2023, Rob underwent five colorectal surgeries and a colostomy before returning to the pro pickleball tour, winning the 2025 Dubai Open just ten weeks post-surgery.
Despite his condition, he has won 19 pro titles since 2022 while helping grow the sport across India and Asia.
On January 29, 2026, Rob was forced to undergo a complete proctectomy, permanently removing his rectum, remaining colon, and anus.
His recovery was complicated by a post-operative infection and collected fluid in the rectal fossa requiring surgical drainage.
During a routine drain removal two weeks later, an artery was severed, causing arterial hemorrhaging that required an emergency pelvic angiogram to stop the bleeding and save his life.
Rob shared his entire journey publicly as it happened. In the first 30 days, his proctectomy content generated over 30 million video views and brought 125,000 people into a community now following his ongoing recovery.
He continues to share openly as he attempts to recover, compete professionally again and showing what life after proctectomy actually looks like.
Rob Nunnery is one of the only documented professional athletes in the world competing with an ostomy, and one of the first to openly document every stage of a complete proctectomy in real time.
Speaking & Media
Speaking on Resilience, Recovery & Mindset
Rob shares authentic lessons on resilience, discipline, and performance after major change.
He's spoken with athletes, medical teams, and patient communities about rebuilding identity and focus through chronic illness.
Interested in interviews or talks? Reach out below.
Career Highlights & Milestones
A snapshot of the key moments, achievements, and milestones that define his journey as an athlete and advocate.
19 Pro Titles · First MLP Champion
Competing at the highest level with 19 professional pickleball titles, including the 2023 NYC Open, one week post diagnosis, and earlier clinching the first Major League Pickleball Championship in 2021.
Competing Through Every Chapter
Ten weeks after his colostomy, Rob won the 2025 Dubai Open. Months later, he underwent a complete proctectomy and documented his entire recovery publicly, reaching 30M+ views in 30 days.
Founder · Speaker · Advocate
Founder of Ostowear and an active voice for the IBD and ostomy community. Real-time documentation of major surgery became a movement, building a global community invested in turning suffering into utility.
