Beyond The Buzzer

Rouzbahan Fraij has been rewriting what it means to represent Jordan on and off the pitch. From growing up in Amman with a dream, to commanding her country’s midfield and becoming one of the most respected voices in women’s football across the Arab world, Rouzbahan’s story is one of persistence, pride, and purpose. In this episode of Beyond The Buzzer, Rouzbahan sits down with Sam and Aboudi to ta...

Rouzbahan Fraij has been rewriting what it means to represent Jordan on and off the pitch. From growing up in Amman with a dream, to commanding her country’s midfield and becoming one of the most respected voices in women’s football across the Arab world, Rouzbahan’s story is one of persistence, pride, and purpose. In this episode of Beyond The Buzzer, Rouzbahan sits down with Sam and Aboudi to ta...

Thirdy Ravena is not just one of the Philippines’ biggest basketball stars, he’s a trailblazer changing the narrative for Filipino athletes worldwide. From winning three straight championships at Ateneo to becoming the first Filipino to play in Japan’s B.League, Thirdy has built a career on taking the road less traveled, embracing uncertainty, and proving that talent backed by relentless belief ca...

Talent can take you far, but without guidance and humility it can also slip away. At just 18, Tarek Dagher had the skills to go big in basketball, but ego, lack of mentorship, and tough choices got in the way, his career never reached its full potential, and for years he struggled to find direction. We dive into: 🏀 The pressures and pitfalls of being “the talented one” too young 🧠 How unchecked...

At just 22 years old, she’s already a Nike athlete, national team player, and one of the brightest young stars in Saudi women’s basketball. But Dur’s journey hasn’t been easy. From training in Colorado, to overcoming a career-threatening ankle injury, to representing her country on the court, she’s proven what resilience, discipline, and heart can achieve. In this episode of Beyond The Buzzer, Dur...

Rama Aboalrob trains like a machine, works a 9–5, and carries a nation's hope on her back. At just 24, she is an Olympian, an Arab Champion, and a rising force in international Taekwondo. But behind the medals is a young woman battling burnout, pressure, and perfectionism. “I know it’s not healthy… but I just want to be perfect at everything I do.”In this episode of Beyond the Buzzer, Rama opens u...

In this dynamic episode of Beyond the Buzzer, we’re joined by Egypt’s Olympic swimmer Abdelrahman Elaraby, Haridi, in a one-of-a-kind setup filmed between the pool and the studio in Amman, Jordan.🎙️  Haridi isn’t just an 8x African champion, Arab Games gold medalist, and national record holder. He’s a powerful voice for mental health, purpose, and resilience in the world of elite sport. In th...

Zaid Kareem is one of the most dominant taekwondo athletes in the world today. 🥋An Olympic silver medalist, a Youth Olympic bronze medalist, and the only Jordanian ever to medal at both. He’s faced world champion Ulugbek Rashitov in three major finals—and he’s coming for more. But beyond the medals is a man of rare intensity. Zaid is calm, disciplined, and obsessed with routine. He doesn’t chase...

Alvin Kamara is an NFL superstar, having won rookie of the year, made 5 pro-bowl features in 8 NFL seasons, owning the record for most rushing yards for the New Orleans Saints, and having the joint record for touchdowns in an NFL game, with 6. All that aside, he is a stellar human who understands his identity is so much more than his football career.  Alvin recently travelled to Jordan where...

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 💰 S...

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 cou...

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 le...

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...

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: 🏃‍♀️...

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 play...

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-...

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...

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 ep...

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....

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, t...

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 ex...

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...

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...

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