Between The Lines - With Laura Massaro & Ahad Raza.

In this episode of Between the Lines, We sit down with one of squash's all-time greats, Peter Nicol.A former World No. 1 who spent an incredible 60 months at the top of the rankings, Peter enjoyed a legendary playing career that included a World Open title, two British Open crowns, Commonwealth Games gold, and 49 PSA titles. Renowned for his professionalism, relentless work ethic, and meticulous preparation, he helped redefine what it meant to be an elite athlete and inspired a generation of players.Now based in the United States, Peter continues to shape the sport through coaching, mentoring, and developing squash and padel facilities alongside his wife, Jess.In this conversation, Peter reflects on the mindset that drove his success, the lessons learned throughout his career, his transition from player to mentor, and his vision for the future of squash. Whether you're a squash fan, an athlete, or simply interested in what it takes to perform at the highest level, this episode is packed with insight, experience, and inspiration.

For more information on the community we are building drop Ahad an email at [email protected]

In this episode of Between the Lines, Laura and Ahad are joined by former World No. 3 Nour El Tayeb, one of Egypt's most accomplished squash players.A winner of 16 PSA titles, including the prestigious U.S. Open and Windy City Open, and a three-time Women's World Team Champion with Egypt, Nour enjoyed an outstanding career at the very highest level. After welcoming her daughter, Farida, in 2021, she made a remarkable return to the professional tour, climbing back into the world's top five within just seven months before retiring from professional squash in 2024. Today, she is passing on her knowledge and experience as a coach.

In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Nour opens up about managing the emotional highs and lows of professional sport, overcoming personal challenges, balancing motherhood with elite competition, and finding a new purpose after retirement. Filled with candid stories, valuable lessons, and plenty of laughter, this episode offers a fascinating insight into the resilience and mindset of one of squash's most respected players.

If you'd like to join our growing online community please email Ahad - [email protected]

In this episode of Between the Lines, Ahad and Laura are joined by Cassie Jackman (now Cassie Thomas) — one of England’s most accomplished squash players.

A former World No. 1 and World Champion in 1999, Cassie reached the very top of the game and established herself as one of the leading players of her era.

In this conversation, she reflects on her career, her mindset on court, and the coaches who pushed and shaped her along the way. She speaks about playing for fun and enjoyment and how it shaped her attitude on the professional tour. The episode also explores her transition away from professional squash and what life looks like after competing at the highest level.

An insightful and honest chat with lessons for players of all standards — on performance, resilience, and the journey through elite sport.If you'd like to join our growing community of like minded people and players then please drop us an email - [email protected]

On today’s episode of Between the Lines, Ahad and Laura are joined by Ron Lemire — a pioneer in movement, recovery, and human performance with over 50 years of experience in the field.

A former marine engineer turned movement innovator, Ron has worked hands-on with more than 22,000 individuals, including elite athletes, touring musicians, business leaders, and public figures. His work has supported names such as John Denver and the Indiana Pacers during their 1993 season, as well as a wide range of practitioners including osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, and physical therapists.

Over the past four decades, Ron has developed what he believes to be one of the most advanced proprioceptive training systems available — the Flo Dynamic Movement System™, delivered through the Liquidtrainer. Using water as real-time biofeedback, the system is designed to enhance balance, coordination, and nervous system integration, helping the body move more efficiently and intelligently.

In this conversation, Ahad and Laura dive into Ron’s unique approach to movement and performance. Diving into stories over his lifetime and insights that can be applied not only to squash, but to overall health and longevity.

If you're interested in joining Ahad and Laura and their growing online community of likeminded people then email [email protected]

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.