Discover
Between The Lines - With Laura Massaro & Ahad Raza.
Between The Lines - With Laura Massaro & Ahad Raza.
Author: laura.massaro
Subscribed: 3Played: 58Subscribe
Share
© laura.massaro
Description
What separates world class squash players from everyone else? It's not just talent, it's focus, strategy, mindset and the ability to keep learning.
Welcome to Between The Lines. A podcast hosted by former world number 1, Laura Massaro and elite performance coach Ahad Raza.
We break down what's really happening in high level squash and help you translate it into action.
This isn't just a theory, this is a growing community of curious players and coaches, dedicated to unlocking potential together.
Join us between the lines!
Welcome to Between The Lines. A podcast hosted by former world number 1, Laura Massaro and elite performance coach Ahad Raza.
We break down what's really happening in high level squash and help you translate it into action.
This isn't just a theory, this is a growing community of curious players and coaches, dedicated to unlocking potential together.
Join us between the lines!
14 Episodes
Reverse
🎙️ 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 ahad@arproformance.com.
🎙️ BTL Podcast – Episode with Ian HorsleyIn 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 phasesWhy mobility and suppleness are crucial for injury preventionThe importance of slow, deliberate work in physiotherapyPractical advice for athletes without regular access to a physioA few go-to exercises to keep your body in top shapeA 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: ahad@arproformance.com
🎙 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 ahad@arproformance.com. Look forward to hearing from you!
🎙 Welcome to this episode of Between the Lines.Today, we're joined by Graeme Williams, a seasoned coach with nearly 20 years of experience at the highest levels of squash. From working with England Squash to leading the Squash Canada Women’s National Team at the World Teams, Pan Ams, and Commonwealth Games, Graeme has built an impressive resume. Now based in Philadelphia, he balances private coaching with working with top professionals like Olivia Weaver and collaborating with US Squash.Graeme is known for his innovative coaching methods, especially when it comes to challenging players’ mindsets and helping them explore new ways to grow on and off the court. At the heart of his philosophy? Building strong, authentic relationships with his athletes.In this episode, we dive into his coaching techniques, how he gets players’ brains firing, and why mindset is just as important as physical training. Whether you’re a player, coach, or just someone interested in high-performance thinking, there’s something here for you.👉 Want to learn more about our online coaching community? Reach out to us at ahad@arproformance.com.Enjoy the episode!
In this week’s episode, Laura and Ahad dive into all things summer training — what it really means, how to approach it with purpose, and the key areas to focus on to make the most of your off-season.We’ll walk you through how to structure your summer, what to work on to stay sharp, and how to build momentum heading into the new season.Plus, we’re sharing a few personal recommendations and ideas we've been enjoying lately — hopefully giving you a little inspiration to try something new!We hope you enjoy the episode, and if you're interested in joining our upcoming online community and membership, feel free to reach out to Ahad at ahad@arproformance.com.
This week on the Between the Lines podcast, we’re joined by none other than Sarah Fitz-Gerald — 5 x World Champion and former World No. 1.Sarah shares incredible insights into her journey to the top of the women's game, from her early days on court to the mindset that fuelled her dominance. She talks tactics, the power of keeping things simple, and the importance of both performing and entertaining as a professional athlete.Fierce on court and down-to-earth off it, Sarah is as thoughtful and articulate as she is competitive. We absolutely loved this conversation and can’t wait for you to hear it.If you would like to join our community or you would like to suggest a guest, we would love to hear from you. Either in the comments below or to ahad@arproformance.comThanks Laura and Ahad.
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Danny Massaro — renowned sports psychologist, university and college lecturer since 1997, author, and Doctor of Philosophy. Having worked with elite athletes across the sporting world, Dr. Massaro brings deep insights into the psychology behind high performance.We explore the mental game in sport, diving into topics like energy management, player mindset, and in-game problem-solving. Danny shares practical strategies for athletes looking to grow mentally and emotionally, with valuable takeaways for players at every level.The conversation also takes a personal turn, as we discuss the dynamics of maintaining healthy relationships while pursuing high performance — including how Danny and his wife Laura, a former World Champion squash player, supported each other through the demands of elite sport.Whether you’re a coach, competitor, or passionate amateur, this episode is packed with wisdom on attentional focus, mindset evolution, and the inner game of squash.Tune in and enjoy the listen.
🎙️ Welcome to today’s episode, where we sit down with a true legend of the squash world — Rodney Martin.Rodney, a former world-class player turned elite coach, electrified fans around the globe with his unique and dynamic playing style. In our conversation, he reflects on how his approach to the game stood apart from the traditional mold, and how that innovation gave him deep insight into reading opponents and becoming one of the sport’s most precise ball strikers.Now based in the United States, Rod brings that same level of insight and passion to his coaching. He shares how he instills strong technical foundations in his players — empowering them with the tools to strike the ball cleanly and create options across the entire court.Rod also opens up about the work ethic that drove his own success and how he holds his athletes to the same high standard, pushing them to reach their full potential.This is a conversation full of golden nuggets. If you like the podcast drop Ahad a message at ahad@arproformance.com and join our community.We hope you enjoy the listen!
Welcome to today’s episode!We’re joined by highly experienced strength and conditioning coach Mark Campbell—a true expert in the world of athletic performance. Mark has worked with squash players at every level, including World Champions and Commonwealth Gold Medalists. His impressive resume also includes working with elite athletes in British Diving, boxing, and across a range of other sports.What sets Mark apart is not just his professional background, but his genuine love for squash—as both a player and a student of the game. In this episode, we dive into all things squash-specific training, explore energy systems, and discuss the often-overlooked but crucial relationship between strength and conditioning coaches, technical coaches, and players.It’s a conversation packed with insights, practical takeaways, and a lot of passion. Ahad and I enjoyed recording this one, and we think you’ll love it too.If you like the episode, please consider leaving a comment or dropping us a message at ahad@arproformance.com.🎧 Thanks for listening—and enjoy the show!
In todays episode we give viewers a taste of a coaching session online with Laura and Ahad.We look at the technical pointers on taking in a softer drop shot and having more consistency in shots. Looking at movement and swing together and how they connect to make the game easier. Looking forward to doing more of this in the future.If you're interested in becoming part of our community then email ahad@arproformance.comHappy listening!
In today’s episode, we sit down with legendary squash coach David Pearson — better known as DP.We dive into the art and science of squash, covering everything from technical fundamentals to the dynamics of coach-player relationships. DP shares his expert insights on what it takes to develop world champions and world No. 1s, emphasising the crucial connection between swing and movement — and how to make the game feel effortless.He also shares fascinating stories from his coaching career, including his work with three-time world champion Nick Matthew and the key adjustments that transformed his game.It’s an eye-opening conversation that offers a fresh perspective on squash — whether you're a player, coach, or fan of the sport.Have questions or thoughts? Feel free to email us at ahad@arproformance.com or leave a comment below.Enjoy the episode! 🎧
In this episode, Laura and Ahad sit down with the legendary track coach Tony Holler—known for shaking up the traditional views on athletic training. Tony shares eye-opening insights that challenge the "out work your opponent" mentality many athletes are used to.Instead of grinding harder, Tony emphasises training faster and smarter. His approach centres on using speed as the foundation for everything—prioritising quality over quantity to keep athletes both hungry and injury-free. By training with intensity and precision, his athletes often find that competition feels easier and slower than practice.Tune in to hear why Tony believes less can truly be more when it comes to performance.As the episode goes on we give some relatable advice for amateurs to improve their own speed.We’d love to hear your take—drop your thoughts or questions in the comments. Alternatively, if you'd like to reach out and join our community then email ahad@arproformance.comHappy listening!
In today’s episode, Laura and Ahad explore the fascinating world of movement in squash. Laura shares insights into her own movement style and compares it with others styles seen across the game. We dig into how a player's background, early coaching, and physical strengths shape not only how they play—but how they move. We also look at the crucial connection between movement and swing mechanics, and how the new refereeing directives are changing how players move on the court. Are pros adapting quickly, or is there a longer transition ahead? Lastly, as always, we offer practical tips for amateur players looking to improve their own movement.If you liked this episode and have any future topics you would like us to cover please comment below.Alternatively, if you'd like to join our growing community please reach out to ahad@arproformance.com and we would love to hear from you.Happy listening.
In this first episode, Laura and Ahad break down the dramatic men’s final at the El Gouna International, where Ali Farag and Mostafa Asal clashed in a thrilling battle for the World No. 1 spot. We dive into the intensity of their rivalry and the key moments of the match.We also shine a spotlight on the breakthrough performances of Amina Orfi and Mohamed Zakaria—two rising stars making waves on the pro circuit—and explore what amateur squash players can learn and apply from their approach and mindset.If you enjoyed this episode or want us to cover a specific topic in the future, please reach out at ahad@arproformance.com. We’d love to hear from you and grow the Between the Lines community.Happy listening!




