Vanessa Atkinson - Grassroots to Greatness

Cassie Jackman - Playing for fun & enjoyment.

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 - ahad@arproformance.com

Ron Lemire - stories & wisdom.

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 ahad@arproformance.com

James Willstrop - Playing with creativity.

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 ahad@arproformance.com and as always please let us know your thoughts on the episode.

Haitham Effat - Making the game feel easy

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 ahad@arproformance.com to find out more.

Nada Abbas - Drug Allegations & over coming adversity.

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 - ahad@arproformance.com