SQR+ Squash Radio
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Episodes
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Friday Jun 11, 2021
Thank again for tuning in and we hope you Enjoy the show!
Time Stamps for TBD Segments:
R&R Topic: Top 3 GOAT’s of Sports [starts at 1:50 = 28 mins]
Breakdown: Top 3 GOAT’s in Squash from Wael, PJ, Bill & Conor [starts at 30:10 = 25 mins]
The Appendix: this is an evolution of the ‘Fan Follow up’ as a way for Conor’s appendix to live when his was removed! [starts at 56:50 = 11 mins]
In today’s episode, we are joined by former world number 8, 2010 US Open champion, and 2009 Egyptian team world champion, Wael El Hindi, who has recently added author and racquet club owner to his already impressive list of accolades. Before we begin with the topic of today’s show (shout out to Ricky from Philly for the suggestion!), you’ll hear about Wael’s experience of opening up Kinetic Racquet Club in Delray Beach, Florida, and why he went with a multiple-sport model instead of opening a club dedicated purely to squash. As you have probably guessed from the title, this episode focuses on the greatest sportsmen and women of all time. Wael and the hosts share their opinions on the people who have revolutionized the sports of golf, tennis, soccer, basketball and baseball, and some points of contention arise around Usain Bolt’s level of recognizability, and Diego Maradona’s level of integrity. Then, of course, the discussion swings to the greatest players of all time in the greatest game of all time. Wael also shares some inside information about a few players he has had personal dealings with, and how squash has changed over the years. To end, Wael explains why he decided to write Ready, Set, Squash! and the impact that he hopes it will have.
Key Points From This Episode:
Conor’s experience of appendicitis.
A shout out to Ricky from Philly for the topic of today’s episode.
An introduction to Wael El Hindi and his various achievements.
Reasons that Wael saw a lot of potential for squash in Delray Beach.
Challenges that Wael was faced with when setting up Kinetic Racquet Club.
Response that Wael’s club has received since opening 30 days ago.
Why it is beneficial to have racquet clubs that cater to multiple racquet sports, and the three racquet sports available at Kinetic Racquet Club.
The fastest growing sport in the United States.
How Tiger Woods changed the sport of golf.
Michael Jordan’s worldwide and long enduring influence.
Statistics which highlight Wayne Gretsky’s dominance in hockey.
Deigo Maradona’s transformative effect on the world of soccer (and PJ’s tainted view).
The hosts differing views on Usain Bolt’s recognizability.
Pele’s impressive achievements, which earned him a spot as one of PJ’s picks for today.
Muhammed Ali’s impact on the world, inside and out of the ring.
Roger Federer as the torch carrier for tennis.
Tom Brady; multiple reasons why he was chosen by all the hosts as one of their top three.
Characteristics of Wael’s picks for the best male and best female squash players.
A discussion around Jahangir Khan’s style of playing, who PJ has seen live.
Heather McKay’s phenomenal career; only dropping two games in a 16-year period!
How the game of squash differs now, compared to when Wael was playing professionally.
The person Wael most dreaded playing against.
Players who Conor and Bill think have changed the game of squash, and why.
Squash; the person who transitioned the game from amateur to professional, and the impact he had on Wael’s career.
Why Wael decided to write Ready, Set, Squash!, what he hopes the book will achieve, who it is aimed at, and where you can find it.
Tweetables:
“The idea was to try to get kids to get through a lot of other sports before they switch to squash.” — Wael El Hindi [0:08:44]
“Having a mixture of racquet sports involved, that you could get them excited again for another week of training for squash again.” — Wael El Hindi [0:10:39]
“To me [Usain Bolt] is just pure talent, and the way that he used his body to break that record was just something that changed the world.” — Wael El Hindi [0:20:44]
“In my era it was more about the tactics than the physicality. Now it’s obviously a mixture of both.” — Wael El Hindi [0:44:24]
“I wanted to share some of the information that helped me break down things during my lessons.” — Wael El Hindi [0:54:35]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Wael El Hindi on LinkedIn
Wael El Hindi on Instagram
Ready, Set, Squash!
Ready, Set, Squash Website
Kinetic Indoor Racquet Club
The Last Dance
Victory
Squash Radio
Conor O'Malley on Twitter
Bill Buckingham on Twitter
Squash 57
REACH OUT: FAN FOLLOW UP > The Appendix!! In this segment, we will be sharing the feedback, comments, insights, you name it! So reach out us on social media or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
SPONSOR SUPPORT: BIA Sports
They were on a mission to develop the best court shoe EVER. These shoes are performance ready, straight out of the Box. Made by squash player for Squash players!The latest shoes are out BIA FORCE X, go to their website https://biasports.us/and take a look!
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
Thank again for tuning in and we hope you Enjoy the show!
Time Stamps for TBD Segments:
R&R Topic: Bill’s Top 3 grudges [starts at 2:10 m= 20 mins]
Breakdown: When did you last mix up the squash ball you play with? Give it a shot! [starts at 23:00 = 22 mins]
**NEW SEGMENT** Putting On Your PJ’s: Paul Johnson is back! We pay tribute to Malcolm Willstrop [starts at 44:50 = 22 mins]
Today we are back with a bang, talking about long-held grudges and the issue of which balls to use on the court! We kick things off in this episode exploring Bill's top three personal grudges of all time, from the sandwich deli fallout to the Irish bar incident, and not to forget his reaction to being stood up by a famous actor!
After this inflammatory section of the show we get down to squash business, and try to get to grips with the question of different balls that are used in the sport. Many of us are returning to the game after a forced hiatus during the pandemic, and what better time than to brush up on which ball suits your game the best? In the end, the ball that gets you most excited and out on the court is probably the one you should be using, and we discuss the four main types of squash balls before diving into which suit us, when, and why. To finish things off we consider the possibility of adjustments being made to standard ball specifications and how this could affect the spectatorship of the game in the future.
***NEW SEGMENT LAUNCH*** ‘Putting on your PJ’s’! We welcome back a worldwide fan favorite of Paul Johnson (PJ) who will be doing a re-occurring segment on TBD. In this inaugural segment we pay tribute to Malcolm Willstrop who was a master of the Sport at developing World Class talent, Icon of the legendary Pontefract Squash Club & impact for generations.
Key Points From This Episode:
Discussing personal grudges and how we deal with them differently.
Bill's top three grudges; the deli, O'Brien's, and Hugh Jackman!
Getting back to playing after so long off during the pandemic!
Improved rallies with the single dot ball.
Unpacking the four main types of squash balls; intro ball, progress ball, competition ball, and championship ball.
Why hockey is the least popular of the four main American sports: visibility issues for viewers.
Thoughts on adjustments to ball size and dye colors for the audience's benefits.
Testing out different types of balls to find which suits your skill level.
Squash and the Olympics; the potential for a grudge if the doubles game was accepted!
Tweetables:
“When you work from home you don't see anybody, what's fun about having a grudge if you can't see that person and grudge against them?” — @Bucksquash
“The intro ball is 12% larger than the standard ball, but it gets 40% longer hang time. And then the progress ball is 6% larger than the standard ball, but gets 20% longer hang time.” — @conor79v [0:27:22]
“Can squash go with a bigger ball that has the same bounce as the two-dot? What would be the harm in that?” — @Bucksquash [0:33:54]
REACH OUT: FAN FOLLOW UP!In this segment, we will be sharing the feedback, comments, insights, you name it! So reach out us on social media or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
SPONSOR SUPPORT: BIA Sports
They were on a mission to develop the best court shoe EVER. These shoes are performance ready, straight out of the Box. Made by squash player for Squash players!The latest shoes are out BIA FORCE X, go to their website https://biasports.us/and take a look!
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Tuesday Apr 27, 2021
Jobs Talk with Conor, Bill, and PJ
THE BREAK DOWN (TBD) #11?: Talking 9-5’s; in Sports & Squash
Welcome back to Episode 11 of The Break Down! By popular demand, Conor and Bill welcome back Squash TV’s Paul Johnson, otherwise known as PJ Squash. Obviously there is a trend towards becoming a coach once the professionals players retire from the game, but today’s episode looks at some of the other job
s you can do in the sports world that don’t require playing on the field, from beer vendor and hotdog taster to golf caddy and everything in between! With his drink of choice in hand, PJ weighs in on the only other positions he would consider and shares why he believes he already has the best job in the world. We outline some well-paid jobs, including being a coffee maker for a Premier League team or the head squash coach at Yale University, and we reflect on why being an athlete is probably still the best job in sports. Tune in today!
Key Points From This Episode:
With a neat 15-year-old Glenlivet in hand, PJ kicks off today’s episode.
Some other jobs in the sports world, from scoreboard operator to beer vendor.
Learn more about becoming a Major League Baseball hotdog taster.
The only two jobs PJ would consider: Premier League agent or golf caddy to Tiger Woods.
Even with the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes, PJ believes the pros of being a caddie outweigh the cons.
The appeal of being employed as a bullpen catcher by a Major League Baseball team.
Conor explains why he would enjoy being a sports business development strategist.
Well-paid salaries in the Premier League include throw-in coaches and coffee makers.
To avoid hidden costs and “sculduggery”, PJ explains how some Premier League players hire family members as their agents.
Top job opportunities in squash, like head coach for men and women at Yale University.
PJ reflects on the tough responsibilities that the head squash coach at Yale would have.
Good private club jobs in the US, like head pro position at University Club of New York.
Why PJ believes he has the best job in squash as an ex-player and now commentator.
How being an MC at a squash tournament can be mentally tougher than playing.
Our appreciation for John Nimick and what he does for the sport of squash.
Why being the athlete is still the best job in sports without a doubt.
Final thoughts to close the show: how the squash industry is growing and the role of podcasts in sports.
Highlights: (time indicated is from the start of the main show. Does not take intro it ad’s and intro’s)
“It’s the lack of recognition and the lack of fame that the caddies get with the comforts of the financial reward, that, for me, would be [ideal].” — Paul Johnson [0:15:54]
“Most Major League Baseball teams, [for] $70 to 80,000 a year, employ a bullpen catcher. Someone who literally just warms up the catchers in the bullpen and that is all he does.” — @SquashRadio [0:20:15]
“In the world of squash in the United States, I can’t imagine there would be a more sought after job in the [US] than the head squash coach at Yale University.” — @SquashRadio [0:31:30]
“Being an ex-professional player who still feels very much part of the game with the commentary, you’re traveling to the tournaments, you’re watching the best players in the world. You almost feel as though you’re still involved and you feel as though you’re still on tour.” — Paul Johnson [0:38:53]
“Being the athlete is the best job in sports. There is no question about it.” — @SquashRadio [0:51:40]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Paul Johnson
Andy Whipp article about jobs in sport
John Nimick
The NetSuite Open
Squash Radio
Squash Radio on Twitter
Squash Radio Email
REACH OUT: FAN FOLLOW UP!In this segment, we will be sharing the feedback, comments, insights, you name it! So reach out us on social media or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
SPONSOR SUPPORT: BIA Sports
They were on a mission to develop the best court shoe EVER. These shoes are performance ready, straight out of the Box. Made by squash player for Squash players!
The latest shoes are out BIA FORCE X, go to their website https://biasports.us/and take a look!
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Friday Apr 16, 2021
Today, Squash Radio (SQR) has another one of our youngest guests and recent Yale University graduate, Spencer Lovejoy, calling in from Connecticut!
Spencer has just cracked the top 100 on the professional tour, held his spot at number one all four years at Yale. Dave Talbot recent shared on Squash Radio that Spencer is one of the Top 3 players he Coaches during his four decade career. Spencer has stayed on top of his game since graduation, playing Pro events even during the challenging Covid restricted Tour calendar.
In this episode, Spencer talks about his goals for squash and the steps he’s taking to reach them, that fine line between determination and self-doubt, the importance of recovery, how he keeps the right mindset to stay in the game, and more. Towards the end of the interview we ask Spencer some of our favorite non-squash related questions to get a better understanding of who he is outside of his love of the game.
Listen to Spencer as he opens up about the sport, what really excites him, and what motivated him to stay in the game.
Key Takeaways:
-His experience playing college squash and then continuing on at a professional level, and his decision to go to college rather than going straight on tour
-His goals (past and future) and how he sets them
-The moment he decided to go on professional tour and the athletes who inspired his decision
-How he balanced playing squash and having a social life in college
-His internal monologue on balancing doubt with determination
-His ways of staying in the moment and finding his “flow state”
-The importance of recovery for him, and his opinions on wearables
-What he loves about squash, and what he wishes to improve
-His parting wisdom to junior squash players
-His favorite documentary, recommended books and podcasts
-What excites him and his sources of joy, other than squash
-His history major
Links
Spencer Lovejoy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/spencerlovejoy/?hl=tl
Documentary
Strokes of Genius - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpqxPKznuBw2qJI6-D2yp-0UdSBmHWIu-
Books
String Theory by David Foster Wallace - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27246166-string-theory
Podcast
The Joe Rogan Experience Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/4rOoJ6Egrf8K2IrywzwOMk
FitMind Podcast - https://www.fitmind.co/podcast
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This episode of Squash Radio sponsored by ProSportLED – the most advanced lighting technology for sports. If you have any questions or know someone who might need new lights for their Squash, Tennis, Padel, Platform Tennis or Pickleball courts....please put us is touch!
If you have an interesting story you think our audience needs to hear, feel free to reach out to us on social media or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
Harlemite and StreetSquash alum Raheem Logan is the author of the children’s book Black Boy Fly, an origin story about the love and challenges of squash. The children’s book is the first title to enter the squash literary canon from a hip hop millennial.
The title comes from Kendrick Lamar’s song Black Boy Fly from the Good Kid Bad City album. The story follows a children’s literary tradition glorifying flight. The ability to fly is a common form of wish fulfillment. As in Maurice Sendak’s Outside Over There and Roald Dahl’s Twits. And then there’s Toni Morrison’s Song of Soloman! In the Black literary tradition all god’s children had wings.
Raheem is a graduate of the Canterbury Boarding School in New Milford Connecticut and Weslyan College where he played at #9 for the Cardinals as a freshman and played #1 his senior year. He’s coached at City Squash and he’s now back at Canterbury where he’s coaching squash and teaching world religion. He will lead a Squash and Education camp this summer, 2021.
Outside of squash, travel is our communities’ greatest joy. Squash’s global nature inspires the joys of travel and discovery!
Raheem is presented by Radio Squash for Squash Radio.
Wednesday Apr 07, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
Friday Apr 02, 2021
This episode, we make Squash Radio (SqR)history as we welcome our first interview with the former World No. 1 and World Champion, Thierry Lincou!
Thierry Lincou is currently the Head Coach of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) squash team. He reached the World No. 1 ranking among squash professionals in January 2004.
In today’s episode, Thierry will talk about his stories on his family, his squash journey, transitioning from being a world number 1 player to becoming a coach, and his plans. He will also share his love for cars and books, and his views on what the squash sport must improve on all levels.
Learn what is in the mind of the world’s number 1 squash player and his perspectives on life and the sport. Listen up and enjoy!
Key Takeaways:
-Thierry as a professional surfer in a separate universe
-Thierry as a balanced athlete on court and peace-loving and feel-good athlete off court
-His family, environment, and the story that shaped his views
-What made him decide to move to France and the adjustments in transitioning
-His story on being a Tecnifibre brand ambassador
-How he helped Tecnifibre in navigating the squash world
-How he started working with Amanda Sobhy
-What are Amanda Sohby’s superpowers on the court for him
-How he puts Amanda’s ultimate success on-track as a coach
-How the transition of being a World No. 1 player to becoming a coach is for him
-His mentors and coaches during the training days
-The influence of the coaching styles that coaches had on him and learning to be a coach
-His vision for the MIT squash program
-How he got into the college squash program through MIT
-His frustrations in giving guarantee in selecting players at MIT
-Summing his experience involving the college squash program
-Bringing diversity-equity inclusion to his team and future teams
-On sharing his story and leading by example in coaching
-His passion for cars and his driving style
-His choice between Formula 1 or NASCAR
-The cars he has in his garage and his dream cars
-How he feels about electric cars
-His car preference and where he wants to drive it
-His plans beyond Ten years
-What he wants to see improved in all levels of squash
-What movies and documentaries he loves
-What gets Thierry fired up
-What gives him disproportionate happiness
-Thierry TED talks on his love for reading books
-What types of podcasts he listens to and books he loves
Links
Thierry Lincou on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thierry-lincou-b4825a11/
Thierry Lincou Website - https://www.thierry-lincou.com/
Books
Guerriers de la lumiere: Trilogie by Paulo Coelho - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50517771-guerriers-de-la-lumi-re
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This episode of Squash Radio sponsored by ProSportLED – the most advanced lighting technology for sports.
If you have an interesting story you think our audience needs to hear, feel free to reach out to us on social media or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Monday Mar 29, 2021
Welcome to TBD 10! In this episode, raise a glass as Bill and Conor break down their favorite libations with Squash TV’s Paul Johnson. Whether he is talking highballs or Black Ball, PJ pulls no punches and gives our listeners an insider’s view of the pro tour, including what it's really like being both boothmates and roommates with Joey Barrington.
Thank again for tuning in and we hope you Enjoy the show!
Time Stamps for TBD Segments:
R&R Topic: Top 3 drinks of choice for a special evening watching Squash [starts at 1:40 m= 30 mins]
Breakdown w/ PJ: Take a peek behind the curtain with PJ [starts at 31:40 = 31 mins]
Fan Follow: Bill’s Favorite segment…. for reals now [starts at 1:04:00 = 9 mins]
FAN SUPPORT: Max and Caleb are doing a charity ‘bike ride’ from Philly to NYC!
A Fan of TBD emailed in to try and help raise awareness for a charity bike ride for the SEA that two young squash players are organizing! This is where the Bronx and Cleveland natives join forces to raise awareness.
Want to support this cause? Click on this link to learn more and how to donate
https://donate.squashandeducation.org/campaign/bike-a-thon-for-sea/c325445
REACH OUT: FAN FOLLOW UP!In this segment, we will be sharing the feedback, comments, insights, you name it! So reach out us on social media or email squashradio@gmail.com. As always, thanks for listening!
SPONSOR SUPPORT: BIA Sports
They were on a mission to develop the best court shoe EVER. These shoes are performance ready, straight out of the Box. Made by squash player for Squash players!The latest shoes are out BIA FORCE X, go to their website https://biasports.us/and take a look!