Today’s episode features one of squash’s most distinctive and respected figures, James Willstrop.

A former World No.1, James reached the top of the rankings in 2012 and enjoyed an outstanding career that includes 23 professional titles, victories at the Tournament of Champions, and a Commonwealth Games gold medal. He also played a pivotal role in England’s international success, helping secure multiple World Team Championship titles and becoming the most capped England squash player in history with over 200 appearances.

But James’s story goes far beyond his achievements on court. Known as “The Marksman,” he has long brought a thoughtful, creative perspective to the sport. In his acclaimed book Shot and a Ghost, he offers a deeply personal insight into life on the professional tour, earning a shortlist spot for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year. He later followed it with Interviews with Inspiration, exploring the mindset of high performers across sport and beyond.

Since stepping back from the top level of competition, James has continued to shape the game through coaching, writing, mentoring, and even performing on stage — blending storytelling with his experiences from more than two decades in professional sport.

In this conversation, we explore his journey from Pontefract Squash Club to World No.1, and beyond — diving into his perspectives on competition, creativity, and what it truly means to dedicate your life to a sport.

If you'd like more information on our community then please email [email protected] and as always please let us know your thoughts on the episode.

On this episode of BTL, we’re joined by Haitham Effat, one of the most accomplished and respected squash coaches in the world. Originally from Egypt and now based in California, Haitham has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of some of the sport’s biggest names.

Throughout his coaching journey, he has worked with world champions and top-ranked players including Ramy Ashour, Raneem El Welily, Tarek Momen, Marwan ElShorbagy, Nour El Tayeb, Hania El Hammamy, Youssef Soliman — and more recently, Nouran Gohar, Mostafa Asal and Olivia Weaver.

One of the rare coaches to guide both male and female world champions, Haitham is known not just for results, but for his humility, work ethic, and deep understanding of the game. In this conversation, we explore his coaching philosophy, his experiences at the highest level, and the insights that have made him such an influential figure in squash.

We hope you enjoy this one. If you would like to join our growing community then please email [email protected] to find out more.

Today on Between the Lines - In this episode, we sit down with Nada Abbas, one of Egypt’s brightest talents in professional squash. At just 25, Nada has already reached a career-high world ranking of 12, currently sits at 13, and has captured four professional titles. Her promise was evident early on, with a 4th-place finish at the Under-19 British Junior Open.

But Nada’s path to the top hasn’t been without adversity. In 2022, her career was put on hold when she faced a doping accusation — a moment that tested her resilience far beyond the court. In this powerful conversation, Nada opens up about the mental and emotional battle that followed, the challenges she endured, and how she found strength and positivity during one of the most difficult periods of her life as an athlete.

This is a story of perseverance, mindset, and the human side of elite sport — we thank Nada for her honesty and this is one you won’t want to miss.

If you're interested in joining our community, have a guest you'd like to see on the podcast or feedback then please drop us a comment or Ahad an email - [email protected]

This episode of BTL features squash legend Vanessa Atkinson, one of the most accomplished players in the sport’s history.

A Dutch icon, Vanessa reached the pinnacle of her career as the 2004 World Champion in Kuala Lumpur and later achieved the World No. 1 ranking in 2005. Over the course of her career, she amassed 25 professional titles, making her the most successful Dutch squash player of all time.Since retiring in 2011, Vanessa has remained deeply involved in the game — offering her expertise as a Squash TV commentator and MC, and helping develop future talent through her coaching at Pontefract.

Her journey spans the intensity of elite competition and the fulfilment of mentoring the next generation. This episode explores Vanessa’s remarkable story, both on and off the court. Her training over the years and how she learned to control her emotions and now hopes to pass that onto the future generation of players.

If you'd like to join our community then please email Ahad - [email protected] and as always enjoy the episode and please leave us a comment with feedback or thoughts.

In this episode of BTL, we take a trip down memory lane with a true innovator in performance analysis — Stafford Murray. 

From transforming England Squash between 1998 and 2010 to leading cutting-edge sports science at the English Institute of Sport, Stafford’s impact on high performance is nothing short of remarkable.

His journey spans continents — from spearheading innovation in New Zealand’s High Performance Sport program to his current role as Head of Analysis and Insights at the ECB, where he’s applying decades of expertise to the world of cricket.

But this conversation goes far beyond data and technology. Stafford shares how great analysis isn’t just about numbers — it’s about relationships, communication, and humanising the science behind performance. Through engaging stories from across his career, he reveals how empathy, connection, and collaboration have been at the heart of his success.

Join us as we explore how Stafford’s analytical mindset, innovative spirit, and people-first approach have shaped elite sport and inspired a generation of coaches and athletes. His personality is infectious!

If you would like to know more about our growing community then please email [email protected]

Enjoy the podcast.

🎙️ On today’s episode, we’re honoured to welcome one of the true legends of squash — the great David Palmer.

Hailing from Australia, David's career is nothing short of inspirational. He racked up 27 professional titles, including 2 World Championships, 4 British Open titles, and 4 Super Series Finals victories.

 He also held the World No. 1 ranking not once, but twice — a testament to his consistency and dominance at the highest level of the sport.

Since retiring, David has seamlessly transitioned into coaching, working with some of the top names in squash — including Mohamed ElShorbagy, Miguel Rodriguez, and currently Tinne Gilis. He’s also making a big impact in the collegiate scene as coach at Cornell University in the U.S.

This week is an exciting week as we launch our BTL community programme starting with a live call on Sunday. If you have any interest in joining our community the email [email protected] and look forward to hearing from you.

Welcome to BTL 🎙️

Today, we’re joined by an expert whose work happens behind the scenes but has a massive impact on elite performance — Dr. Chris Rosimus - Performance nutritionist.

Chris’s resume is extensive . Currently working with elite football and has previously worked with football teams including Nottingham Forest and then Leicester City during their unforgettable Premier League title run. Other sports on his CV include cricket with the ECB, cycling and squash. 

Before his current role in football, Chris spent nearly six years at the English Institute of Sport. 

He’s one of the best in the business when it comes to performance nutrition — and today, we’re diving into what fuels the very best athletes in the world. We chat all things fuelling for the appropriate training, realising not all calories are equal, training for muscle gain and fat loss plus how to fuel as a teenager. 

There is loads to take away from this episode and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

If you would like to join our community then please email [email protected]

🎙️ Welcome Raneem El Welily to BTL!

We’re thrilled to have an absolute legend on today’s episode — Raneem El Welily. A true class act and trailblazer, Raneem is a former World No. 1, World Champion, and winner of 23 PSA titles. Not only that, she holds the historic title of being the first Egyptian female athlete to reach World No. 1 in any sport — incredible!

In this refreshingly open and honest conversation, Raneem reflects on her remarkable career. From her signature attacking style to the evolution of her tactical game, she shares deep insights into what shaped her as a player — and a champion.

You’ll also hear some fascinating back-and-forth between Laura and Raneem, as they revisit classic matches, career-defining moments, and the many times their paths crossed on court. Raneem opens up about one of her toughest losses — the 2014 World Championship final against Nicol David — and how she rebounded from that heartbreaking moment.

This episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and inspiration from one of squash’s all-time greats. A must-listen for fans, players, and anyone who appreciates the mindset of a champion.

💬 Enjoyed the episode? Leave us a comment, or join our growing community by emailing [email protected].

🎙️ BTL Podcast – Episode with Ian Horsley

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Ian Horsley, a leading physiotherapist with nearly 30 years of experience in elite sport, education, and clinical practice in the UK.

Ian has worked across Rugby Union, football, and with the English Institute of Sport, serving as Lead Physio for the North West. His journey has taken him to multiple Commonwealth and Olympic Games with Team England and Team GB — and today, he shares a wealth of knowledge from those experiences.

We dive into:

• How to stay healthy during intense training phases

• Why mobility and suppleness are crucial for injury prevention

• The importance of slow, deliberate work in physiotherapy

• Practical advice for athletes without regular access to a physio

• A few go-to exercises to keep your body in top shape

A fascinating, practical conversation for anyone looking to understand the role of physiotherapy in performance and longevity.

🎧 If you enjoyed the episode, leave a comment or get in touch: [email protected]

🎙 On this episode of Between the Lines, we’re joined by one of the greatest squash players of all time — Ali Farag.
A four-time World Champion, former World No.1 for an incredible 238 weeks, and winner of 46 PSA World Tour titles, Ali's legacy in the sport is nothing short of legendary.

In this candid and insightful conversation, we explore the mindset behind his graceful, free-flowing style of play, and how he developed such a relaxed yet dominant approach on court. Ali shares his journey from Cairo to Harvard, revealing how his time at one of the world’s top universities shaped both his squash and his character.

We also dive into his recent retirement — why now, what’s next, and how he’s navigating life after the pro tour.

This is a powerful and inspiring chat with a true ambassador of the game. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

If you would like to join our community then please email [email protected]. Look forward to hearing from you!