Press & Media
Rob Nunnery is one of sport's most compelling stories in 2026.
For interview requests, assets, and booking, everything you need is here.
Rob Nunnery is a professional pickleball player, permanent ostomate, and founder building a hydration company for people with chronic illness. He is one of the only professional athletes in the world competing with a permanent ostomy.
He documents the build in real time.
Diagnosed with perianal Crohn's disease in 2023, Rob underwent five colorectal surgeries before returning to compete, winning the 2025 Dubai Open just ten weeks post-colostomy.
On January 29, 2026, he underwent a complete proctectomy, permanently removing his rectum, colon, and anus. His recovery was complicated by a post-operative infection requiring surgical drainage, and a life-threatening arterial hemorrhage during drain removal that required an emergency pelvic angiogram.
Rob documented his entire journey publicly in real time. In the first 30 days, his content generated over 30 million video views and brought 125,000 people into a global community now following his ongoing recovery.
His story sits at the intersection of elite sport, chronic illness, radical transparency, and community, and it's still unfolding.
Approved Bios
Copy & Paste Ready
Short Bio (50 words)
Rob Nunnery is a professional pickleball player with 19 pro titles, a permanent ostomate, and the founder of Flexara Health.
In January 2026 he underwent a complete proctectomy, documenting his recovery to over 30 million views.
He is building a hydration company for people with chronic illness, starting with the hardest to hydrate population on earth.
Long Bio (150 words)
Rob Nunnery is one of the only professional athletes in the world competing with an ostomy. Diagnosed with perianal Crohn's disease in 2023, he underwent five colorectal surgeries before returning to the pro pickleball tour, winning the 2025 Dubai Open just ten weeks after his colostomy.
On January 29, 2026, Rob underwent a complete proctectomy, permanently removing his rectum, the remainder of his colon, and anus. His post-operative recovery included a serious infection requiring surgical drainage, and a life-threatening arterial hemorrhage during drain removal that required an emergency pelvic angiogram.
Rob documented the entire journey publicly as it happened. In the first 30 days, his content generated over 30 million video views and 125,000 new followers.
Rob is the founder of Flexara Health, a hydration company built for people with chronic illness. He documents the build publicly in real time across social media and Substack.
He competes on pro pickleball tours across the globe.
By the Numbers
The reach, the story, and the stats that define where Rob's platform stands today.
30M+
Video views generated in the first 30 days of documenting his proctectomy journey, making it one of the most-watched medical recovery stories in social media history.
135,000+
New followers gained in 30 days across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
A highly engaged community following Rob's ongoing recovery and build.
19 Pro Titles
19 professional pickleball titles since turning pro in 2020, including the inaugural Major League Pickleball Championship and the #1 men's doubles ranking on the APP Tour in 2023-24.
Media & Press Inquiries
For interview requests, podcast bookings, speaking engagements, and brand partnerships, use the form.
All media inquiries receive a response within one business day. You can also email directly: partners@robnunnery.com