Building Bridges and Resilience With Padel: Ben Hanley’s Global Military Story (JOPS04E04)

In this episode of JOY OF PADEL, host Minter welcomes Flight Lieutenant Ben Hanley, a Royal Air Force officer whose time stationed in Madrid led him to discover—and fall in love with—the vibrant world of padel. Ben Hanley shares his journey from padel novice to M3-certified coach, and describes how his passion for the game sparked an ambitious mission: bringing the sport to British military communities at home and abroad. Together, they explore the unique power of padel for inclusion, wellbeing, and community. Ben Hanley discusses the rapid rise of UK Armed Forces Padel, the challenges of building new padel facilities on military bases, and how the sport supports not just physical health but also mental health—including for those recovering from injury and PTSD. The conversation also touches on leadership lessons learned on the court, integrating families and diverse nationalities, and the internationalization of military padel. Whether you’re in the forces, a padel enthusiast, or curious about sport’s role in wellbeing and leadership, this episode is packed with stories of connection and inspiration. Key Takeaways: Padel as a Force for Community & Wellbeing: Ben Hanley shows how introducing padel within the military bridges cultures, supports families, and bolsters mental health for personnel at every level. Innovation & Leadership: From coaching methods to club models, Ben Hanley demonstrates creative leadership—overcoming policy, infrastructure, and cultural hurdles to pioneer padel’s growth. The Power of Inclusion: Padel’s low barrier to entry, social design, and adaptability (including in accessible sport) make it a vehicle for genuine connection, from international tournaments to beginner-friendly military clubs. Please find the shownotes: https://www.minterdial.com/2026/03/be... 00:00 "Ben Hanley Discovers Padel in Madrid" 01:01 "First Match and Instant Hook" 02:01 "What Makes Padel Addictive?" 02:35 "Padel’s Appeal for Military Families" 03:13 "Padel Level and Overcoming Injury" 04:16 "Choosing and Training as a Coach" 05:42 "M3 Academy Coaching Style" 06:46 "NATO Padel Club and Multinational Inclusion" 08:42 "Padel's Positive Social Impact" 10:07 "Favorite Shot: The Lob" 11:49 "Technical Insights for a Good Lob" 14:34 "Activating Padel Across the Military" 15:53 "Getting Official Recognition for Military Padel" 18:07 "Funding and Infrastructure Innovations" 19:37 "Growth, International Plans, and Intro to Accessible Padel" 21:48 "Padel for Recovery, Mental Health, and PTSD" 25:36 "Padel’s Community Beyond Playing" 28:09 "International Military Padel" 30:30 "Leadership Lessons from the Padel Court" 33:35 "Padel’s Future in British Culture" 35:54 "The Spanish Model vs. UK Approach" 37:51 "Padel as a Tool for Meeting and Connecting" 38:24 "Connect with Ben Hanley" 40:07 "Vamos padel! Wrap-up"