Noor Hadid is 32 years old, a Lebanese sprinter, and still getting faster.In a sport built for youth and powered by infrastructure, Noor is pushing back against both—rebuilding his career in the U.S. after years of training in post-crisis Lebanon, where inflation destroyed his savings and opportunities were scarce.

In this episode, we talk about:
🏃‍♂️ Gaining speed after his so-called prime
💰 Surviving Lebanon’s economic collapse—at one point, living on a single piece of cheese a day
🧠 The mental shift required to keep going when it feels like time has passed you by
🇱🇧 The emotional weight of representing a country in crisis
🎯 His Olympic goal: no wildcards. He wants to qualify outright

This isn’t a story about giving up. It’s about rewriting the narrative of what’s possible—at any age, in any condition, when purpose outweighs circumstance.

At just 19 years old, Omar Ismail has already competed on the biggest stage in the world—the Olympics. But for him, taekwondo isn’t just a sport. It’s purpose, discipline, and a way to carry the weight of Palestine with power and pride.In this episode of Beyond The Buzzer, we sit down with Omar to talk about:

🥋 What it means to step into the ring calm, present, and tactical
🌍 Representing a country under pressure—and not just showing up, but aiming to win
🧠 How he handles pressure, expectation, and growth at just 19 years old
🎯 His ambitions outside of the sport—and why taekwondo is just one chapter
🤝 The importance of staying grounded, giving back, and thinking long-term

This isn’t just a story about fighting—it’s a story about self-control, representation, and becoming something more than just an athlete.

In this uniquely raw and dynamic episode of Beyond The Buzzer, we sit down with Ed—on and off the basketball court—for a conversation that moves in every sense of the word.

Ed opens up about his early days in the game, his battles with mental health, and the quiet but powerful journey back to happiness after loss. 

We dive into what it means to be a father, a husband, and a man who’s still learning—still showing up.
This conversation isn’t just about sport. It’s about:
🧠 Mental health, healing, and asking for help
🏀 The role of movement—both physical and emotional—in processing pain
🏡 Balancing ambition with being present at home
❤️ The grounding force of family, love, and the small wins that matter most. 

Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or someone figuring it all out in real time, Ed’s story is a reminder that healing isn’t linear—and that there’s beauty in every step forward.

Jesse Chuku—better known online as Chewkz—has lived multiple lives: pro hooper, content creator, and disciplined student of self-reinvention.

In this episode of Beyond The Buzzer, co-host Aboudi Al-Qattan reconnects with one of his oldest friends for an honest, wide-ranging conversation on navigating life after sport.

Jesse shares his experiences playing professional basketball across Europe, and how stepping away from the game led him into the unpredictable world of content creation.
They dive deep into:

🏀 Life overseas and the realities of playing pro ball in Europe
🎥 The evolution of Chewkz and finding a voice in content
⚡️ Managing bursts of creative energy vs. moments of emptiness
🧠 The mindset behind showing up when motivation runs dry
🌍 Reinvention, purpose, and building something bigger than the game.

This is more than a catch-up between two friends—it’s a reflective, inspiring conversation about ambition, self-awareness, and pushing through internal resistance to stay true to your path.


If you’re chasing something, reinventing yourself, or navigating your own in-between phase—this episode will hit.👉🏽 Subscribe, Like & Follow for more:🔴 YouTube: [@beyondbuzz]📸 Instagram: [@beyondthebuzzer13]#BeyondTheBuzzer #Chewkz #JesseChuku #LifeAfterSport #ContentCreatorJourney #BasketballLife

Layla Almasri isn’t just a runner—she’s a symbol of resilience, representation, and purpose. From growing up in Colorado as a first-generation Palestinian-American to breaking national records in the 800m, 1500m, 3K, and 5K, Layla’s journey has been anything but conventional.

In this powerful episode of *Beyond The Buzzer*, Layla sits down with Aboudi Al-Qattan & Sam Daghlas to discuss:
🏃‍♀️ The emotional weight of representing Palestine on the world stage;'
🧠 How she battled imposter syndrome & self-doubt before the Olympics;
🔥 The reality of being a professional runner—where does the money come from?⚖️  Balancing athletics, coaching, and working in biomedical sciences;
🎯 How she stays present, manages pressure, and remains mentally strong;

Layla gets candid about the privilege & burden of wearing the Palestinian flag in an era where visibility matters more than ever. She opens up about the moments of guilt, questioning her purpose, and how she ultimately found a way to use her platform for advocacy.This episode is filled with raw emotion, deep insights, and valuable lessons for anyone chasing a dream bigger than themselves—whether in sports, business, or life.🎙️ 

If you’ve ever struggled with self-doubt, finding your purpose, or navigating life transitions, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

👉🏽 **Subscribe & Follow for More:**🔴 **YouTube**: https://www.youtube.com/@beyondbuzzer📸 **Instagram**: @beyondthebuzzer13 **Like, comment, and share if this episode resonates with you!**

From dominating the Jordanian basketball scene to stepping into the spotlight as a TV presenter, Rubi Habash has never backed down from a challenge. But her story is more than just a highlight reel—it’s a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of perseverance.

In this deeply personal episode of Beyond The Buzzer, Rubi reflects on her rise in Jordanian basketball, the struggles of playing in a country with limited support for women’s sports, and her bold decision to switch from Orthodoxi to Fuheis—one of the biggest moves in Jordanian hoops. 

Rubi shares her incredible comeback to the game after giving birth to her first son, proving that motherhood doesn’t mean the end of an athlete’s journey.

We also get into her love story with former guest (and our good friend) Sani Sakakini—complete with a hilarious first-meeting story—and the realities of building a life together as two professional athletes. Now juggling work, family, and a new career in broadcasting, Rubi opens up about the highs, the struggles, and the emotional moments that have shaped her.

This episode is raw, inspiring, and full of wisdom for athletes and non-athletes alike. If you’ve ever faced adversity, questioned your next step, or wondered how to balance passion and family, Rubi’s story is one you need to hear.Make sure you SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, and SHARE with your friends!

Maria Saab is MENA's TOP High-Performance Coach. Her work spans top-level executives, athletes, and artists, but her message is always the same: the only thing that stops us from achieving our dreams is our own limiting beliefs. 

In this powerful episode, Maria delves into the techniques she uses not only with her clients, but also with herself. Maria is open, honest, and extremely insightfu-- ifyou are interested in learning how you can create habits that drive you towards success, then this is the perfect episode for you. 

Rui Hachemura is a superstar for the LA Lakers and the Japanese National Team--but before that, Rui didn't even know what the NBA was!

 In this candid conversation with Sam, Rui details his rise to international stardom and the adversity he faced along the way. Despite not speaking English until later in life, Rui had a dream, and he knew he could achieve it--internal perseverance, incessant persistence, and a great support system around him helped him reach the heights he has reached.

This episode highlights Rui's incredible personality: he has already achieved so much but he remains candid, approachable, and personable. Make sure you subscribe to our channel for more stories like Rui's!

Rasha Abdo is a professional hooper, a seasoned tech employee, and an active mother of two. While her schedule may sound packed for others, Rasha manages her time efficiently and effectively. She always balances her passion for basketball and motherhood with her desire to develop her career continuously. 

Most importantly, however, Rasha is a wonderful human with a real zest for life. This episode will inspire many, including young Arab women who struggle with the pursuit of sporting excellence and anybody who wants to learn how to balance all of life's challenges.

In this eye-opening episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Valerie Tarazi, a Palestinian-American swimming sensation who has carved her place on the global stage through resilience, grit, and unparalleled determination. From her roots in Illinois to becoming a record-breaking swimmer representing Palestine, Valerie's story is one of pushing physical and mental limits to achieve greatness.

A multi-medalist at the 2023 Arab games, and flag bearer for Palestine at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Valerie shares the highs and lows of her career, her connection to her heritage, and the profound impact of her advocacy for a free Palestine. Beyond the pool, she is championing social change across the MENA region, breaking barriers for women athletes, and using her platform to inspire the next generation.

This episode is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of representation, and the potential of sport to spark meaningful change. Valerie’s journey is not just about athletic excellence but about standing up for what matters most. Tune in for a conversation that will leave you inspired and empowered.

The internal gang get together again to discuss what's been going on in the league. From OKC and Cleveland dominance, to Houston's surprise run, to end of season award picks, this episode is PACKED with NBA content.

Drafted as the No. 5 pick in the 2002 NBA Draft after just five years of playing basketball, Nikoloz Tskitishvili faced immense pressure to live up to sky-high expectations. In this compelling episode, Nikoloz shares his journey through the weight of the NBA spotlight, the challenges of unmet potential, and how he forged a successful career across Europe and Asia. We explore his tough childhood, the love and brotherhood basketball brought into his life, and his current role in shaping the future of Georgian basketball. A candid and inspiring story of resilience, family, and purpose.

Rebecca Akl, a trailblazer in the world of basketball, became the first Arab woman to play professionally overseas, rewriting history along the way. In this candid episode, Rebecca shares her journey from growing up in Lebanon to traveling the globe as a professional athlete. She opens up about her close-knit family, the challenges she faced breaking into international basketball, and how those experiences shaped her resilience.

Now a thriving business owner, Rebecca discusses her post-basketball career, her lessons from overcoming adversity, and her unwavering drive to pave the way for others. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about courage, grit, and reinvention.

In part two of this candid conversation, Anthony opens up about injury struggles that plagued his boxing career and ultimately caused him to retire early. Like in everything though, Anthony continued to manifest success and soon found himself at the peak of AEW wrestling. Outside the ring, Anthony discusses fatherhood and his recent app launch, Ogogo Fitness, and how he refuses to only identify as a boxer. Tune in for an incredible insight into the mind of a winner

Anthony Ogogo’s journey to becoming an Olympic medalist is a story of grit, responsibility, and resilience. In this first installment of our two-part series, Anthony reflects on his early years, taking on the role of the family’s backbone as a child, his discovery of boxing as an outlet and passion, and the relentless drive that led him to the Olympic podium for Team UK.

Now navigating life as a new father, Anthony opens up about the lessons he’s learned from his struggles and triumphs, offering a raw perspective on balancing personal growth, professional ambition, and the responsibilities of family. This episode is a moving portrait of resilience, responsibility, and the ongoing fight to overcome life’s challenges.

In this episode we explore Lamelo Balls ceiling, Luka Doncic's fitness, and how difficult it is to try and make the playoffs in the Western conference

In part one of this weeks internal series, the team discuss the Lakers, the Sixers, and the Rockets. Sam thinks Austin Reaves is tradeable, while Aboudi disagrees. All three hosts align that this could be Embiids last year in Philly, and the guys are excited about the Rockets future, but disagree about who the ideal trade candidate is.

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Kevin Ware, whose resilience and determination redefined what it means to overcome adversity. Kevin opens up about the life-altering injury that could have ended his basketball journey, the mental strength it took to persevere, and how he has turned his experience into a mission to help others succeed in the sport. From his playing career to mentoring aspiring athletes, Kevin shares the lessons he's learned and the legacy he's building within the game he loves.

In this weeks edition our BTB's internal series, Sam and Aboudi welcome on Nico Marsaglia, and aspiring actor/writer in LA with who boasts exceptional basketball knowledge. Nico has a rare sense of humor, combining wit with speed, yet ultimately his approach to the game is what brought him on the episode. Nico is an old friend of Aboudi's, meaning there is plenty of friendly banter throughout the show.

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Atkinson, one of the best performance coaches in the world. Not only does Mike train some of the top NBA players, but he’s also a deeply spiritual and candid individual who isn’t afraid to be open about himself and confront his own ego. Our conversation dives into the mindset, discipline, and self-reflection that drives elite performance, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the practices and philosophies that elevate the game’s greatest athletes. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, raw honesty, or a masterclass in peak performance, this long-form interview is worth every minute. Don’t miss it!