In squash - The Podcast

Luke Butterworth jumps back on the pod and does not disappoint. Luke Butterworth returns to the pod—and once again delivers.

We dive into Greenwich Academy’s incredible run of 10 consecutive high school girls’ squash titles, achieved during Luke’s tenure as Director of Squash. He shares insights into building a sustained culture of excellence and what it takes to stay on top year after year.

Luke is also working closely with several top U.S. pros, including Nick Spirizzi and Caroline Fouts, both of whom are showing strong recent form. We discuss their progress and what’s driving their performances.

On top of that, Luke recently stepped into a new role, making his managerial debut with the NSL’s Greenwich Panthers. We unpack that experience, what he learned from it, and whether this debut was simply a one-off or not.

To wrap things up, Luke lays out a few non-negotiables for anyone serious about elevating their squash game.

Former World Champion, world number two, and one of the very best coaches in the game today—Rodney Martin jumps back onto the pod for another insightful chat.

We dive into his work with Gina Kennedy, who’s been producing some outstanding results this season, and explore what changes have elevated her game. We also get into the mindset of elite players, the intensity and edge at the top level, and whether that competitive fire is what separates the very best.

We also touch on some of the game’s recent talking points, including the El Gouna controversy, and finish with a masterclass segment where Rod shares key non-negotiables for players looking to improve.

World No. 13 Marina Stefanoni makes her In Squash debut, and it was an impressive one at that. One of four American women now ranked inside the PSA top 20, Marina has had a breakout season, climbing from just inside the top 30 to just outside the top 10, and picking up impressive wins and pushing some of the very best players in the world along the way.

We dive into her rapid rise this season, the growing strength of women’s squash in the United States, and how close she feels to consistently breaking into the very top group on tour. Marina also shares insights into her training approach, the mindset required to handle setbacks at the elite level, and what it takes to compete week in and week out against players like Nour El Sherbini, Amina Orfi, and Satomi Watanabe.

We also talk about how exciting the NSL has been for her playing for the SoNo Sharks, and how much she's enjoyed playing under the unique NSL match play format.

A great listen with one of the brightest rising stars in the women’s game.

Former World #2 Peter Marshall returns to the podcast and it was well worth the wait.

We begin by revisiting Peter’s career, including the origins of his iconic two-handed technique, his two World Open finals against Jansher Khan, and what it was like competing against both Jansher and the legendary Jahangir Khan.

The conversation then turns to the crux of the episode - the most recent controversies surrounding World #1 Mostafa Asal. We break down the controversy from El Gouna, including the highly disputed stroke and conduct stroke at 8–7 in the fifth against Diego Elias—a decision that proved decisive in the outcome of the match . We also get into his thoughts on the recent Observer article which he feels was a disservice to Asal and to the game as a whole.

It’s a candid discussion from an absolute legend of the game.

In this episode, I’m joined by Rahul Vashishtha, currently at Bates College and soon to take on the Assistant Coach role at Louisville Collegiate School.

Rahul has taken a truly global path through the game—starting in India, moving into national-level coaching in Singapore, and now building his career in the United States. We dive into that journey, but more importantly, we focus on the realities behind it.

This episode is particularly valuable for young and aspiring coaches looking to break into the North American system. We unpack the key challenges that often don’t get talked about enough—especially when it comes to navigating visas, securing opportunities, and adapting to new coaching environments and cultures.

We also explore:

The differences in coaching culture across India, Singapore, and the US
What the US college system looks like from the inside
Practical advice on finding coaching opportunities abroad
Strategies that helped Rahul successfully transition between countries
What to expect when it comes to lifestyle, work environment, and career progression

If you’re an aspiring coach with ambitions to work internationally—or simply curious about what it really takes to build a coaching career across borders—this is one you won’t want to miss.