In this episode of Mindclickers, I’m joined by Radu “Radu C” Casapu, the current top-ranked geoguessr player globally and champion 2025 Americas Major.

As a pre 2025 World Cup insight, we unpack his rise to the top, dissecting the mindset, tactics, and consistency behind his success including strategies like journalling, flow states, and risk management. Radu also shares how he navigates high-pressure duels, optimizes his practice routines, and stays mentally resilient in competitive play.

Whether you're an aspiring Duelist, GeoGuessr fan, or performance mindset enthusiast, you’ll find powerful insights in every minute.

Timestamps 0:50 – Intro into Radu’s Journey

2:40 – Winning a School Geography Competition

5:30 – Balancing Expectations as a Player

6:20 – Mindset Changes Since the 1st World Cup

8:00 – How the GeoGuessr Community Helps Each Other Improve

10:40 – Sharing Knowledge Without Losing Advantage

11:10 – Is GeoGuessr a Mental Sport or Strategy Game?

11:45 – The Importance of Hedging Guesses

12:50 – No-Move vs Move Playstyles

14:10 – Dealing with RNG in GeoGuessr

15:50 – Mindset Before a Game

18:10 – Using Music for Focus & Repetition

19:15 – Visualisation & Reflecting on Games 2

20:10 – Rarely Making the Same Mistake Twice

20:40 – What Practice Looks Like for Radu

24:00 – A Methodical Approach to Games

24:20 – Memory Palace & Journaling

25:45 – Colour Coding Maps for Memory

26:50 – Screen Recording & Self-Review

29:10 – Studying Opponents’ Games

31:00 – Allocating Time to Learning

32:30 – Handling Emotions After a Bad Guess

34:20 – Balancing Risk vs Reward in Guesses

35:15 – Insta-Lock Strategy Explained

37:05 – Should Players Have a Coach Timeout?

38:50 – Insights from America’s Major Finals

40:25 – Developing Flow State in Competition

41:10 – Building Confidence for the World Championship

41:50 – Competing in Andorra

44:00 – Caffeine, Coffee & Energy Drinks

45:45 – Exercise & Walks for Performance

46:50 – Monitor Settings for GeoGuessr

48:30 – Placebo Effects in Esports

49:25 – The Future of Competitive GeoGuessr

52:15 – Pick/Ban System in GeoGuessr

53:50 – Insights on NMPZ (No Move, Pan, Zoom) Mode

56:45 – Organisations in GeoGuessr Esports

59:00 – Rapid Fire Questions (Deep Dive)

1:15:20 – Reddit Community Questions

1:21:00 – Advice for Players & Final Words ❤️

In this episode of Mindclickers, I’m joined by ProjectBloom, one of the biggest voices in the world of GeoGuessr Esports. We dive into Bloom’s journey from player to caster, his reflections on the first GeoGuessr World Cup, and what it takes to prepare for LAN events. Bloom shares insights on the evolving GeoGuessr meta, the differences between EU and NA playstyles, and the challenges of casting under pressure.

0:50 – Intro

1:15 – Bloom's journey so far, the origin of Geoguessr Esports

7:20 – Gotta get Bloom ft Rainbolt

8:00 – Feeling of having a pivotal impact on Geoguessr Esports

9:05 – First World Cup reflection

10:10 – First LAN setting – Will players perform the same as online?

15:00 – Preparation for a LAN environment

16:10 – Monitor in Geoguessr settings

18:00 – Previously couldn’t use own mouse and keyboard

19:30 – Going into first cast from a commentator perspective

23:50 – Playing the role of an esports caster

25:00 – Breaking down a cast – Stats and information

26:30 – Freezing during a cast/stage

31:35 – Underlying anxiety prior to a cast?

33:35 – Casting in different game modes

36:00 – Updating metas as a caster

36:45 – Secret study

37:30 – Regional differences – EU vs NA

41:45 – LAN formats – different order = different results?

45:45 – Insight into different systems in other games

48:10 – Favourite country to cast

50:40 – Is there an end towards metas?

53:20 – Country that you'd want on Geoguessr?

54:40 – What does the future of Geoguessr look like – Orgs?

1:01:20 – Sustainable to do Geoguessr full-time?

1:04:00 – Rapid fire questions

1:10:45 – Final advice for Geoguessr up-and-comers

Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/projectbloom

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectBloomtv

X - https://x.com/ProjectBloomtv

We are back bigger than ever with an exciting season of Mindclickers. We have some super special guests back in the spotlight, which I am super keen to share and provide some insights from some of the best individuals within Esports.

In the following episode I sat down with previous Renegades Partnerships Manager for OCE/APAC Carti, who is now working within the AI Sports tracking field, with a passion to get back into Esports.

Nick shares some key insights towards partnerships and the bridge that needs to be closed between traditional sports and Esports, in terms of coming together collectively.

Follow him over at Twitter on https://twitter.com/nicholascarti

Social & Website
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mindclickers
Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindclickers
Twitter Personal - https://twitter.com/Coach_LBP
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mindclickers
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mindclickers
Website - https://www.mindclickers.com/
Twitch -  https://www.twitch.tv/coach_lbp

Subscribe to Mindclickers
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mlpbWJ...

Mindclickers is an insight into the psychological and performance demands of Professional Esports Personalities.

Imagine if you could hear what a Physiotherapist recommends for best practice about ergonomics or stretches. Thinking of adding exercises into your routine? I wonder what an elite-level Strength & Conditioning Coach would recommend. How about figuring out Nutrition? We've got Registered Dietitians and Performance Nutritionists to cover that too!

But it doesn't stop there.. Ever wondered what top-level professional players think about before, during, or after a game? How they relax, deal with anxiety, adopt the flow state, communicate effectively and perform? We provide exclusive insights into the mind of top-level players so that you can add to your game!

Not only that, but have you been interested in starting your own path in Esports, but not sure where to look? We have episodes with Esports organisation owners, who share their stories about their path, and how they found success in an ever-developing scene.

Season 4 Episode 1.

We are back bigger than ever with an exciting season of Mindclickers. We have some super special guests back in the spotlight, which I am super keen to share and provide some insights from some of the best individuals within Esports.

In the following episode I sat down with previous RLCS Professional player Snaski, who is now coaching Quadrant within EU. 

Snaski shares some key insights towards his previous experience as a player, what he has learned from being a coach and what has transitioned well into his skillset.

Follow him over at Twitter on https://twitter.com/Snaski10

Social & Website
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mindclickers
Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindclickers
Twitter Personal - https://twitter.com/Coach_LBP
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mindclickers
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mindclickers
Website - https://www.mindclickers.com/
Twitch -  https://www.twitch.tv/coach_lbp

Subscribe to Mindclickers
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mlpbWJ...

Mindclickers is an insight into the psychological and performance demands of Professional Esports Personalities.

Imagine if you could hear what a Physiotherapist recommends for best practice about ergonomics or stretches. Thinking of adding exercises into your routine? I wonder what an elite-level Strength & Conditioning Coach would recommend. How about figuring out Nutrition? We've got Registered Dietitians and Performance Nutritionists to cover that too!

But it doesn't stop there.. Ever wondered what top-level professional players think about before, during, or after a game? How they relax, deal with anxiety, adopt the flow state, communicate effectively and perform? We provide exclusive insights into the mind of top-level players so that you can add to your game!

Not only that, but have you been interested in starting your own path in Esports, but not sure where to look? We have episodes with Esports organisation owners, who share their stories about their path, and how they found success in an ever-developing scene.

Episode 13!! Absolutely loved sitting down and talking with Oliver about his experience in @RLEsports OCE & APAC S Casting as he was crowned the 2021 Best New Commentator. Shoutcasting has always been an area that I've loved so It was fantastic to hear what goes on behind the scenes in terms of preparation for a big event!

Timestamps
0:01:37 - Oliver's Introduction into Esports
0:03:55 - Did you ever think you'd be in the position you are in now?
0:06:16 - Ability to wake up everyday, doing what he loves
0:08:13 - Esports to Tradtitional Sports Comparison
0:10:45 - XP League - LAN for Kids
0:11:10 - Parents asking for PRIVATE Esports coaching lessons?!
0:11:44 - Esports is different compared to 5 years ago
0:12:47 - Flashback to early shoutcasting days mindset
0:16:20 - Individual vs Duo Casting
0:21:30 - Yumi casting Farming Simulator is META
0:23:00 - How to cast a game you've never played before
0:25:50 - Casting is only ONE avenue into Esports
0:27:10 - The PHRASE BOOK!
0:33:00 - Looking back at previous casts/experiences
0:35:10 - Adjusting to different casting environments
0:38:30 - Casting at home easier after getting LAN experience
0:41:00 - Gaining confidence as an individual
0:42:00 - Utilising momentum in Esports
0:44:45 - Understanding and dealing with expectation
0:46:45 - LANDON Major 1st round predictions (Who did we have?)
1:12:10 - Reddit International Scrim Thread
1:13:30 - Final Takeaways/Insights


Follow Oliver on his main socials at https://twitter.com/BassFromThePast

Social & Website
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mindclickers
Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindclickers
Twitter Personal - https://twitter.com/Coach_LBP
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mindclickers
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mindclickers
Website - https://www.mindclickers.com/
Twitch -  https://www.twitch.tv/coach_lbp

Subscribe to Mindclickers
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mlpbWJ...

Mindclickers is an insight into the psychological and performance demands of Professional Esports Personalities.

Imagine if you could hear what a Physiotherapist recommends for best practice about ergonomics or stretches. Thinking of adding exercises into your routine? I wonder what an elite-level Strength & Conditioning Coach would recommend. How about figuring out Nutrition? We've got Registered Dietitians and Performance Nutritionists to cover that too!

But it doesn't stop there.. Ever wondered what top-level professional players think about before, during, or after a game? How they relax, deal with anxiety, adopt the flow state, communicate effectively and perform? We provide exclusive insights into the mind of top-level players so that you can add to your game!

Not only that, but have you been interested in starting your own path in Esports, but not sure where to look? We have episodes with Esports organisation owners, who share their stories about their path, and how they found success in an ever-developing scene.

Episode 11!! Absolutely loved sitting down and talking with Chrome on some of the fundamental areas he addresses as a coach, but also adopted as a previous player. We chat indepth about coaching styles with a TON of key takeaways for players of all skill levels. We also have a talk about the upcoming Spring Major and RLCS World Championship.

Topics included in the episode;
1:30 - how did you get into Rocket League?
4:30 - When you were a player did you ever envision being a coach/staying in the scene?
5:45 - Did you play traditional sports growing up?
6:30 - Did you acquire coaching skills from your traditional sports?
8:00 - Talk about Team Culture/mentality
11:20 - NA scrim insight
13:30 - Talk about how much more downtime other eSports have + Is RL the most demanding eSport + what makes RL different from other eSports?
17:15 - Experience with Daniel at the start + coaching other young/inexperienced players
21:50 - Daniels feeling/experience going to London after the Winter Major + his first crowd experience
24:30  - Queso (Moist) surpassing expectations as a young inexperienced team
25:45 - Relaxed mentality vs "dialed in"
26:15 - Funny Comms story at Fall Major + How to manage Comms as a coach during LANs
29:20 - Does SSG reflect on previous wins/loses and pull things to help win in future series?
30:45 - Coaches mentality/mindset when trying to motivate/hype/set expectations for the team
33:00 - Practice vs Gameday
34:35 - Timeouts (Importance, opinion of them, how/when to use them)
39:45 - Looking at other teams and trying to replicate what makes them successful + Forcing other teams to play the way you want to play
44:00 - Quick talk about how RL is one of the only eSports where being hot mechanically actually matters/makes a big difference (for better or worse)
45:00 - Pre-game preparedness (tactically and mentality) + regaining from losing the first game of a series
47:30 - Mentality of going for reverse sweeps
50:50 - Reverse sweeping with Daniel vs with Sypical
51:40 - Impact of Bootcamping
52:45 - Mental Coaches impact on SSG
55:20 - Future of Mental Coaches in RLCS
59:00 - Chrom

Episode 11!! Absolutely loved sitting down and talking with Eclipse about all elements of his coaching career, alongside his take on the upcoming Spring Major and RLCS World Championship.

Topics included in the episode;
- Introduction to the Rocket League scene (1:53)
- Entry into Coaching career (4:28)
- Grip styles - Claw vs Traditional (6:28)
- Past vs Present Viewpoint on Coaching (13:17)
- Coaching styles and methodologies of a coach (18:00)
- Can only EX Pro players be strategic coaches? (19:00)
- Where do you draw the line with Overcoaching? (21:30)
- Torso stays the same, Arms and Legs are always changing (25:25)
- Rocket League is so match-up HEAVY (28:15)
- Fall Major first International coaching experience (30:00)
- Why did Endpoint lose to RNG in Sweden? OMEGA (31:20)
- BDS becomes an all French speaking team = BUFF? (40:00)
- Picking up the game as a 1s player vs 3s player (47:45)
- SAUDI TRIP (51:20)
- Jet lag + Funny Australian Story (53:00)
- Guide to utilising Timeouts - (54:30)
- Gaining and using Momentum (59:30)
- Standing up and streching between Timeouts (1:03:00)
- Importance of Team Culture (1:08:00)
- To scream or not to scream? (1:10:50)
- Fall Major Interaction between CJCJ and Wave (1:19:20)
- Issues with LANs (1:21:00)
- Flashback to PCs in Fall Major PCs (1:23:00)
- Next season LANs - Where they @? (1:25:50)
- Importance of Bootcamps (1:29:10)
- Where does the name Eclipse come from (1:31:38)
- Last motivational advice for upcoming RLCS players (1:35:57)

Follow Eclipse on his main socials at https://twitter.com/LoREclipse

Social & Website
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mindclickers
Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindclickers
Twitter Personal - https://twitter.com/Coach_LBP
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mindclickers
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mindclickers
Website - https://www.mindclickers.com/
Twitch -  https://www.twitch.tv/coach_lbp

Subscribe to Mindclickers
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1532347131?mt=2&ls=1
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mlpbWJOoIpoHbhhag9fQz

Mindclickers is an insight into the psychological and performance demands of Professional Esports Personalities.

Imagine if you could hear what a Physiotherapist recommends for best practice about ergonomics or stretches. Thinking of adding exercises into your routine? I wonder what an elite-level Strength & Conditioning Coach would recommend. How about figuring out Nutrition? We've got Registered Dietitians and Performance Nutritionists to cover that too!

But it doesn't stop there.. Ever wondered what top-level professional players think about before, during, or after a game? How they relax, deal with anxiety, adopt the flow state, communicate effectively and perform? We provide exclusive insights into the mind of top-level players so that you can add to your game!

Not only that, but have you been interested in starting your own path in Esports, but not sure where to look? We have episodes with Esports organisation owners, who share their stories about their path, and how they found success in an ever-developing scene.

Episode 10!! Absolutely loved sitting down and talking with Nick about all elements of his coaching career, alongside his take on the upcoming Spring Major and RLCS World Championship.

Follow Nick on his main socials at https://twitter.com/NickOnRL.


► Follow our Website: https://www.mindclickers.com/
► Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindclickers
► Follow me on my Twitter:https://twitter.com/Coach_LBP
► Follow me on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/coach_lbp
►Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/QuXZZTBVpA

Episode 9!

WHAT AN EPISODE!

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Gregan, S7 World Champion coach for Vitality and S8 Finalist. Gregan is also a current RLCS Caster, and creates his own content at https://www.twitch.tv/gregan.

Topics discussed throughout this episode;


Backstory as a player, transitioning into Coach
Coaching styles and mindset towards individualism
Understanding considerations for change
Behavioural impacts towards competitions
RLCS game day thoughts + action strategies
Importance of having an outlet
Considerations for upcoming professionl players + MORE


► Follow our Website: https://www.mindclickers.com/
► Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindclickers
► Follow me on my Twitter:https://twitter.com/Coach_LBP
► Follow me on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/coach_lbp
► Follow me on Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindclickers?...
► Follow my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindclicker...
►Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/QuXZZTBVpA

Woah, episode 8 already?!

WHAT AN EPISODE!

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Joyo from Team Queso to talk about his backstory as a professional player, alongside discuss some Rocket League psychology and gather this thoughts about the upcoming RLCS 2021-2022 Winter Major.

Topics discussed throughout this episode;

• Backstory as a player
• First tournament
• Understanding the importance of team synergy
• Dealing with placebo
• Motivation to be better mechanical
• Players who come from a 1v1 background
• Free style background implementation
• Importance of having a team culture
• How to diversify your practice
• Thoughts about upcoming Major

Link to Joyo's Twitter
 https://twitter.com/Joyokamii

Season 3 Episode 7!!

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with coach and content creator Hoodyhooo to explore his background whilst providing educational insights on his own experience coaching.

The topics discussed in the following episode are as such;

• College life and deciding on goals
• Developing experience as a coach
• Understanding coaching styles
• Idea exposure
• Understanding delivery styles
• Creating positive environments
• Dealing with setbacks
• Placebo - Why and When?
• Power of replay analysis
• Performance anxiety
• The ultimate guide to streaming

Hoodyhooo can be found at the following links;

Twitter
Youtube
Twitch 

WOAH! It's epsiode 6 time! After taking a long break personally to focus on RLCS, I'm back!

I hope you enjoy this fantastic and insightful episode with explores the importance of content creation and the passion linked towards it.

The following episode features the following;

• Understanding different content creation pathways
• The decision to not go pro
• Gaining traction through the Misfits
• Dealing with burn out
• Having fun over focusing on views
• Dealing with anxiety
• Viewership impact of switching games
• Dealing with comments.

Dexter is one of Australia’s most accomplished CS IGLs, taking his journey from OCE to the biggest stages in EU. In this episode we dive into his mindset, leadership, tilt management, and the behind-the-scenes grind of pro CS. We cover everything from the struggles of qualifying for LANs in OCE, joining MOUZ, building confidence as an IGL, handling tilt, and the mental preparation that separates pros from the rest. Whether you’re a Counter-Strike fan, an aspiring pro, or just curious about Esports leadership, this episode is packed with insights.

🔗 Follow dexter

X - https://x.com/dextersJOURNEY

Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/dextersjourney

🎙 Follow Mindclickers:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lachpark

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0mlpbWJOoIpoHbhhag9fQz

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindclickers/id1532347131

Website - https://www.mindclickers.com/

Keywords: CS2 IGL, Counter-Strike esports, Dexter CS2, OCE to EU journey, tilt management in esports, esports coaching & performance.

Episode 5!!

In the following episode, I had the pleasure to sit down with Benjamin Portheault, a Performance coach for mental athletes, specializing in chess. Benjamin shared his experiences within the coaching field, alongside how this translates for Esports athletes.

The following episode includes;

• Chess background - Entry into the scene
• Data science passion
• Intimidation in chess - Mental tactics for success
• Online chess vs Offline chess
• Mental fatigue on long games
• Queen's gambit + content creation
• Calories?!
• Physiological variables impacts
• Focusing on the present 
• Replay analysis importance
• Finite vs infinite game

Episode 4!?

We are back with a legendary episode featuring Tekcro, the Jr NYSL Graphics Designer, to provide an insight into the process and his background. I've always dabbled in graphics design, but I was more than happy to let Tekcro take reign of the episode and listen to his previous experiences, alongside hearing his mindset towards inspiration and motivation.

Feel free to find Tekcro on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Tekcro to stay up to date with his content and designs!

The following episode touches on the following;

• Background and mindset towards future studies
• Importance of developing a style
• Using motivation to keep on track
• Differences in graphics between esport organisations
• Benefits of being different within this space
• Problem of copying designs 
• Summary and wrap up

SEASON 3 EPISODE 3! WOOOOO

What an episode! I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with previous Immortals Academy Jungler,  Nicholas James Joseph "Potluck" Pollock.

Potluck's insights towards League of Legends allowed myself to better understand the professional scene, as he provides insights towards the demands and requirements of professional League of Legends.

Join us as we talk about;

• Background and entry into Esports
• Shift from casual to competitive
• Playstyle adaptation and adoption
• Understanding team synergy and team culture
• Importance of communication
• Developing awareness and in-game mechanics
• Dealing with external performance (sleep, exercise, nutrition)
• Goals and insights towards the demands of a professional player
• Dealing with toxicity and overcoming it
• Summary and take aways.

We are BACK! Your favourite podcasts providing insights into some of the best Esports personalities around the globe - Mindclickers.

Episode 2 kicks off with  Jax Garret, founder and CEO of the GGWP Academy, and online platform catered towards providing education surrounding content creation.

If there is anyone who would know anything about startups and content creation, its Jax!

Join us as we explore the importance;

•  Content development
• Building and working around your niche
• Esports players mindset towards content
• Exploring different avenues
• Accepting criticism of your craft
• DNA to be liked?
• Final Summary

We are BACK! Your favourite podcasts providing insights into some of the best Esports personalities around the globe - Mindclickers.

To kick it off with Season 3, we have John McDonald (JohnnyBoy_i) and David Lane (Yumi_Cheeseman), both professional Rocket League Commentators, with years of experience under their belt.

If there is anyone who would know anything about Rocket League, it is these two.

Join us as we explore the importance;

•  Community driven events, 
•  Dealing with criticism as a caster
•  Accepting mistakes
•  Players developing personalities
•  Establishing team culture 
• Franchising in Rocket League
• True Neutral and regional competitiveness
• Developing Rocket League content
• Scrims, scrims, scrims
• Key takeaways

OCE! What a scene, that's growing and will continue to grow.
In the following episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Acethem aka Alex, CEO of the 1620 Kings! Alex's passion for growth and ensuring that he is enabling the kings to grow,  really shines through as Alex shares some insights and his vision for the scene.

Topics covered in the following episode;

• Accountability for growth
• Understanding individual players
• OCE Collective development
• Building rapport with players
• Marketability for stakeholders
• Content, Content, Esports
• Building your "WHY"
• Loyalty as a organisation and as a player
• Message to listeners

Looking to get into Esports? Do not miss this episode!

In the following episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Amy Palmer, president of the Misfits Agency and CEO of PowerwomanTV.  Amy provides a lot of knowledge for those looking to enter Esports and how to develop and build your brand, a big thing that many people fail to do.

Topics covered in this episode;

• Marketing yourself as a professional
• Crossover for traditional sports and Esports
• Importance of traditional sporting organizations to adopt Esports
• Connecting and building rapport with your key target audiences
• DNA to be liked
• Development of partnerships
• Mental toughness to push content
• GenZ takeover is inevitable and coming fast
• FaZe CCO insight
• Final words

S2:E19 of Mindclickers arrives with ApparentlyJack from Dignitas.

Jack's passion is very obvious as he speaks in-depth about his mindset towards professional Rocket League.

The following episode contains detailed insights into;

 • Jacks background and entry into Rocket League
 • Dealing with the balance of school
 • Adapting to pre warmups
 • Sleep, Hydration, Exercise & Nutrition
 • Importance of quality coms
 • Developing team synergy
 • Rocket League ranked mindset
 • Developing skills in 1v1's
 • Importance of replay analysis
 • Dealing with toxicity
 • Marketing yourself as a player
 • Closing words

Kansas City Pioneers! I was very excited to sit down with Mark and talk about everything North American Esports, a scene that I have been exploring moreso recently.  Mark's passion for the KCP is really highlighted by his vision to create the best organisation that helps to acknowledge player health and wellbeing, whilst striving for performance.

In the following episode, we chat about

• Kansas City Pioneers approach towards Top tier Esports
• Development of teams and scouting
• Training houses and importance of developing team synergy
• Investment into Allied Health Professionals
• Resources and Marketing for Esports
• Stakeholders and managing opportunities
• End note - Message to those looking at creating an organisation

Ian's passion for Halo is some of the best that we've heard, as we chat about the history of Halo as an Esport and how it progressed to be one of the most popular games.  Ian has had his fair share of experiences within the Esports scene, especially as a player and coach where he adopted a holistic mindset towards his player's performance

Topics covered in the following episode;

• Halo origin and competitive days
• Importance of maintaining gameplay to life balance
• Impact of unhealthy eating habits upon performance
• Insight into coaching and tournament organization days
• The United States Marine Corps involvement within Esports
• Development of Esports regions
• The future of Halo Infinite
• Final words and advice

In this episode of Mindclickers, I’m joined by zi8gzag, one of the top professional Geoguessr players in the world. We dive deep into his competitive journey, strategies for staying sharp, the mental game behind Geoguessr, and how he manages both competition and content creation. From memory palaces to tilt management, and from scrimming against the best to pushing the meta, this episode is packed with valuable insights for gamers, competitors, and anyone fascinated by geography esports.

Timestamps / Topics Covered

0:00 Intro

1:20 Journey into GeoGuessr and how Zi8gzag got into it

4:15 The change that made him want to push higher

6:10 Pathway to competition

8:20 GeoGuessr as a tournament organiser

12:20 Scrimming against players globally

14:50 GeoGuessr is factual

15:15 Barrier to entry

18:10 Internalised pressure from an individual perspective

21:00 Visual acquisition in GeoGuessr

23:00 External profession example

24:10 Memory palaces and memorisation techniques (phone codes)

25:30 New memory technique for US

28:00 Learn a country then trade with others

30:05 Post game reflection process

33:10 Dealing with burnout

38:00 Managing tilt

41:30 LBP tilt reflection and stopping negative reflections

44:20 Having a coach or someone to chat to during a timeout

47:00 Considering external performance factors (sleep, nutrition, exercise)

52:10 Putting the pressure on – valid strategy?

54:00 Instalock tactic backfiring

56:20 Moving vs Not moving

59:00 Content creation mindset – experience with negativity

1:03:40 Getting obsessed with analytics

1:06:20 Rapid Fire Questions

1:18:30 Final advice

🔗 Follow zi8gzag:

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@UCqcxR9B59H4DT1e6hg1Smiw

Twitch – https://www.twitch.tv/zi8gzag

🎙 Follow Mindclickers:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lachpark

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0mlpbWJOoIpoHbhhag9fQz

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Website - https://www.mindclickers.com/

Kaplan's insights and passion for competitive Esports really shine through, as we explore a few varying topics that are being talked about within the scene. Kaplan has completed a Bachelor of Psychology at the University of Washington.

In the following episode we chat about;

• Building a team culture and exploring team dynamics
• Balancing study and work as a professional player
• Competitive comparison of Valorant vs CS:GO
• Insight into Valorant roles and key meta
• Impact on player personality onto their ingame role/character
• Importance of understanding player self-confidence
• Versatility as a Coach
• Coaching styles (Authoritarian vs Democratic)

In the following episode, I chat with Dave Harris,  who is the managing director at Guinevere Capital, currently involved in consulting and managing multiple esports projects including London Spitfire, XL Esports, and the Esports high-performance centres at the Sydney cricket ground and Eden park stadium and also apart of the new League of legends OCEANIA CIRCUIT 

The following topics of the episode include;

• Introduction to high-performance centers
• Implementation of Univerity Esports Programs
• Traditional sporting teams adopting Esports
• Teams investing in external Allied Health Professionals
• The ecological model of Esports Regions - Asian vs Western
• OCE Esports regional development
• Insight into London Spitfire + XL Esports
• Esports Broadcasting

Casey Thomas is an Elite Performance Dietitian, who does private practice work, and works with the University of Los Angeles (UCLA).  Casey also wrote a thesis looking at energy drinks and their cognitive effect on elite-level league of legends players. 

Visit Casey's nutrition website here -> https://gamerdiet.gg/

In the following episode, we discuss

• Working with high-level athletes
• The transitional process from traditional sport to Esports
• Esports nutrition -> What this means and how we can introduce it for players
• Regulation surrounding nutrition for youth
• Supplementation and its benefits
• Caffeine protocol
• L-Theanine
• Adderall
• Intermittent fasting
• Keto diet

Zack's experience within the League of Legends scene is expansive and it shows as he speaks about his experiences shoutcasting, coaching and playing. Zack and I sit down to chat about the following topics

• Playing for Sequential, Mindfreak, Eviscerate, AGA, LGC
• Time as coach for Avant
• OCE Scene - Rivalry in international space
• Mental toughness and tilting in game 
• Cognitive fatigue
• Team dynamics
• League of legends game periodisation
• Exercise science - Tracking physiological values
• Shoutcasting experience in China

I am joined here today by Robert Yip, previous performance coach for the previous Misfits and Immortals, and head coach for FlyQuest. Robert has worked 5 years in the 2 in LEC, 3 in LCS,  3 splits as a head coach and 7 as a performance coach, alongside as having 8 years' experience working in traditional sport.

Apologies for interruption at 65 Minute mark -> Editing error.

In the following episode we discuss, 

• Previous experience in SC2 with TLO
• Mindset of a performance coach, what does performance mean?
• Self efficacy and feedback sandwhich
• Confidence and mentality
• Preparation for understanding failure vs winning
• Mindset towards elite level competition
• Concentration under pressure
• Importance of Team dynamics and communication

In the following episode, I had the pleasure to chat with Michael Gradisar - a sleep scientist, sleep psychologist and professor.  Michael's experience and passion for sleep has allowed him to publish research alongside creating winksleep.online that features blogs, courses and books. 

The following episode touches on the following;
1. Importance of sleep schedules and the role they play for students
2. Accountability for Esports organisations
3. Travelling and jet lag for players interstate and internationally
4. Burn outs and caffeine impacts
5. Sleep monitoring and wearables
6. Previous research; South Korea Esports athletes

In the following episode, I chat with Dr Ryan Terao, a licensed clinical psychologist who works within the Esports industry as an Esports psychologist, mental performance coach and Esports program developer. He has experience working in League of Legends, Rainbow 6 Siege and Valorant.

The following episode features the following topics;

• Creating buy in with players and coaches
• building a dynasty and battling the ups and downs
• Roster rotation culture
• Leadership adoption and importance
• Team culture
• Cognitive dissonance 
• Emotional regulation
• being a support player
• Tapering Esports and cognitive fatigue
• Self confidence and Self Efficacy
• Mental toughness
• Choking - Titan vs Underdogs
• Mindset of a troll.

In the following episode, I chat with Hector Melendez, a Strength and Conditioning coach from the US, with a passion for everything health and Esports. Hectors passion lies within his business, as he helps coach clients through exercises as an S&C Coach,  directly improving their quality of life. Further, Hector is also the Head of Fitness over at Gscience, where he helps to create videos that have a widespread positive effect on the community and the people within it. 

Episode contents;

• Importance of physical exercise for Esports players
• Sport science implementation within Esports - HR/Breathing
• Posture and the effects of ensuring proper ergonomics for Esports players
• Exergaming - How this can be adopted by general populations and traditional athletes

In the following episode, I had the pleasure to sit down and chat with Connaire "Concentric" Delaney Mcnulty from Tent England, an Esports Performance Coach working with Enclave. Connaire also has a background in martial arts, being an amateur world champion in 2015. He also has a first class degree in sports performance, with the majority of his 3rd year work focused within esports, and studying an esports MA at the moment. Alongside this he has a few pieces of research within the submission process with the International Journal of Esports. With the majority of his work looking at the links between player wellbeing and health and their cognitive performance, aiming to assess and improve cognitive key performance indicators through physical exercise, nutrition and sleep.

In the following episode I sit down and chat with Charlie Beestone. Charlie is registered Performance Nutritionist, with experience in working in elite sport in a variety of sports including  Rugby, Football, Netball, Olympic Weightlifting, Triathlon, Strongman, Equestrian and many more. He is also a lecturer in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at Hartpury University in the UK.  Alongside traditional sport, Charlie is currently looking to carry out research on the use of nutritional interventions to improve Esports, and is really passionate about nutrition to improve cognition and brain function in a variety of settings.  Charlie's experience within nutrition shines through as we chat about performing a needs analysis for individualized requirements,  future Esports research possibilities and the use of caffeine for gamers.

In this episode of Mindclickers, I’m joined by Jacqui Louder, one of Australia’s most respected sport and performance psychologists, currently working with Collingwood Football Club (AFL) and Melbourne Storm (NRL). With decades of experience in elite sports, Jacqui brings deep insight into the mental side of performance, behaviour change, team culture, and athlete identity.

We explore what it’s like to support players at the highest level, how to deal with setbacks, ego, pressure from social media, and the psychology behind building winning teams. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or simply passionate about performance, this episode is packed with takeaways.

🗂️ Topics Covered

0:00 Intro

1:10 Jacqui's introduction to high performance

6:00 First experiences supporting athletes with no prior psych help

8:22 Multidisciplinary team involvement

9:20 Resistance to psychological support and behaviour change

11:20 Team connection in traditional sports

13:00 Team vs individualised performance plans

14:30 Dealing with personal losses in sport

17:00 Expectations and being results-focused

18:30 Overcoming underdog mindset

20:20 Performance mindset: can’t lose what you don’t have

21:00 Staying present in the moment

23:00 Placebos and belief systems in performance

25:40 Performing in front of crowds

27:00 Controlling the controllables

28:45 Navigating social media as a professional athlete

32:00 Managing ego in elite environments

32:45 Identity challenges around injury and retirement

34:30 Separating professional from personal identity

36:00 Team culture and personality trait dynamics

39:00 Two-way communication and growth

41:00 Avoiding the "yeah but" mindset

42:00 Receiving compliments with purpose

43:20 Feedback styles and effectiveness

45:30 Promoting athlete self-assessment

47:00 “What did I do wrong? Nothing.”

47:40 Timeout strategies during performance

49:00 The five types of 1-minute breaks

52:00 Recognising and preventing burnout

53:50 “Manage your moments, or they’ll manage you.”

55:00 Advice for the next generation of athletes

58:00 “Delayed doesn’t mean denied.”

🔗 Jacqui Louder Socials

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-louder-74680a4a/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquilouder/?hl=en

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In the following episode, I sit down with a long time pal of mine, Regan "Regzz" Campbell. Regan's previous experience in sales, motivated him to start and found his first online business; Player 2 Second Hand Gaming. The goal of Player 2 is to provide customers with the nostalgia of playing retro and old classics, for a cheap price. This episode goes in depth about the start ups and journey that Regan went through, from planning to execution of his online store. There are also important life lessons sprinkled throughout, that Regan has learnt and overcome along the way. Finally, there are some important Mental Health messages towards the end, as Regan and I strongly believe in everyone having support and someone there when the going goes tough. Regan's passion for mental health signs through and helps to augment Player 2 as an online retailer that not only cares for gamers, but everyone as a whole.

I am more than happy to announce my partnership with Regan and Player 2, as we both share common interests and have passions outside of gaming, that help to promote a positive lifestyle and overall positive mindset. As listeners of Mindclickers, you can receive 10% off your order by using the code "MIND10"! Money generated from using this code, will go back into Mindclickers to ensure we bring the best quality to every episode.

You can visit Player 2 Second hand gaming at the following link - https://player2aus.com

In the following episode, I sit down with Jared "PiG" Krensel. An absolute leader in the Starcraft 2 scene globally, providing content for all new, current and future Starcraft 2 players. Jared's experience in Starcraft 2 is nothing short of amazing, previously winning the  2016 WCS Winter Regional Challenger and performing exceptionally in many minor's and online tournaments. This led Jared to be required by firstly Tt Esports and then Exile 5. Jared shares his knowledge about what he felt like he did write, but also the pivotal lessons that he learnt along his way, as he stepped out of the very traditional work-life route. We also discuss in detail the importance of understanding Starcraft 2 from a holistic approach, as it has been recognised as one of the hardest games for fully learn, a game that no one can ultimately master. We touch on many underlying mindsets such as; brute forcing a positive mindset, dealing with anxiety under pressure and how to be critical but also open. Finally, Jared shares some experiences from his Shoutcasting and the lessons he has learnt along the way.

Welcome to Mindclickers; Season 2, Episode 4.  
In the following episode I dive in with Joe, an experienced telecom salesman by day, but leading and hungry Esports CEO at night. Joe draws on his past experiences when he first helped to start an organisation, followed by taking a social media manager role with FURY. Joe slowly grinding the solo Q of life and rose to the accomplished position that he is proud of today. The goal of this episode, is to provide an insight into the behind the scenes action of the thought process from an organisational perspective. How they choose teams, what gambles to take and ultimately what areas to focus on. Joe further talks about the founding of the OCA - Oceania Esports Association and the tremendous work they have done to help up and coming Esports athletes feel like they have a place to fit it. It is a conglomerate of localised Esports teams, with the ultimate goal of network and sharing the common passion - Esports.

In the following episode I talk with Violeta Ivanova, a Physiotherapist from Finland with a passion for the Esports scene. Violeta has completed a thesis looking at carpal tunnel injuries within Esports, which helps to add to the ever increasing list of current Esports physical health research. Violeta shares her experiences from her degree whilst also stressing the importance of ensuring positive physical health for Esports athletes, especially those that are concurrently focused on the grind. We also discuss Esports regulation, working within a multidisciplinary team and also touch on mental health for athletes and coaches. Violeta also talks about her experience completing and winning a Hackathon, where the idea is to hack a current problem and provide a solution. 

Welcome to S2 E2 of Mindclickers. In the following episode, In the following episode I talk with the amazing Josh "Shinobi" Abastado, as he provides a surreal insight into his previous coaching and also performance as an in game leader coming off the Cloud 9 Valorant team. Josh goes in depth as he touches on the importance of having confidence, effective communication and also marketability.  Josh also talks about the importance of establishing a positive team culture and flowing dynamic so that as a leader, everyone can go into game with the same mindset and be ready for whatever happens. 

Welcome to Season 2, Episode 1 of Mindclickers! In the following episode I have a chat with Matthew, who is a seasoned Esports shoutcaster, currently engaged in both CS:GO and Valorant. Matthew previously competed semi-professionally in Paladins, where he experimented with shoutcasting soon after. Listen to Matthew share some vital and pivotal tips for upcoming shoutcasters who are interested in starting their own series. Further, Matthew provides some insights into high pressure situations and how he deals with them sucessfully.

In the following episode, listen to Anthony describe himself being in the flow state, and having the ability to out edge his opponents mentally to be concise, and perform consistently. Anthony also talks about the importance of team communication and team culture alongside briefly talking about the impact of injury and self confidence. Anthony reflects on his online gaming experiences and his ability to perform at the highest level in ranked Valorant, recently achieving Immortal 2.

In the following episode, I chat with Tim Joyce, who established the University of Queensland's Esports program. Tim is currently interning for the Queensland Firebirds Netball team, expanding his marketing network and gaining insight into the industry. Listen to Tim reflect back on his time developing the Esports program and the requirements in place to ensure it ran efficiently and effectively for upcoming students. Tim shares fantastic stories about the hardships of the program, ensuring that upcoming students have an opportunity to perform and compete in regulated Esports environments.

In the following episode, I chat with Jack "Wryce" Birmingham who is currently a free agent after coming of the Dire Wolves Valorant roster. Jack talks about his experience in Esports and what it took to transform from casual gameplay to competition. Listen to Jack breakdown different Valorant scenarios as we discuss the variations and dynamic differences that makes Valorant stand out and shine. We also touch on the importance of OCE Esports and how as a region we can develop to become a contender at an International level. We finalise it by getting an insight into various game specific scenario's and how Jack would react in each of them. 

In the following episode I chat with Alex Blaikie, who works at ESL Australia to help promote, market and organise large scale events including the Intel Extreme Masters in Sydney. Alex also previously developed Gadget Games, where he created the first standalone battle royal game "Down to one". Listen to Alex talk about the future of Esports in the ANZ region and share some interesting stories from his time at ESL.

🎙️ Season 6, Episode 8 – Christian "TrAiDoS" Staedtter

This week on Mindclickers, I’m joined by Christian Staedtter - lecturer, and high-performance researcher with experience across 70+ LAN events since 2011, Christian brings a rare mix of academic insight and practical understanding of elite gaming environments.

We unpack psychological and environmental factors that influence performance, including team culture, sound, risk-taking, huddles, leadership, and even how things like air quality might affect gameplay.

🧠 Timestamps

• 00:00 – Intro

• 01:10 – Christian’s journey

• 04:50 – PhD insight and driving motivator

• 07:10 – Individualisation in esports

• 07:50 – Team culture, environment, and managing expectations

• 11:30 – Social media impact on players

• 14:00 – Streamers and pros during COVID

• 15:10 – Playing in personal environments

• 17:10 – Crowd pressure and Christian’s LAN insights

• 20:00 – Old-school LANs and playing in booths

• 22:00 – Playing with sound vs no sound

• 25:00 – Sound desensitisation

• 26:00 – Impact of music on performance

• 28:40 – Placebos in esports

• 31:20 – Team huddles

• 33:10 – Real-life huddle example

• 36:00 – Ego in esports

• 41:30 – Using personality tests in recruitment

• 44:00 – Leadership in teams

• 46:00 – Cultural and gender differences in risk-taking

• 51:00 – Expanding on risk-taking

• 54:00 – Using data in esports

• 56:00 – VOD review accessibility

• 58:30 – Christian’s current research

• 1:06:00 – Upcoming research projects

• 1:10:00 – Analytical thinking styles

• 1:15:00 – Visualisation and mental rehearsal

• 1:18:00 – Communication strategies

• 1:20:00 – Environmental factors like air pollution

• 1:25:00 – Encouraging contribution to esports research

• 1:25:00 – Final thoughts and socials

📲 Connect with Christian

Website: https://www.christian-staedter.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianstaedter

X (Twitter): https://x.com/TrAiDoS

Research: https://www.emerald.com/tpm/article/doi/10.1108/TPM-09-2024-0109/1256464/Taking-aim-at-research-on-esports-teams-a

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Mindclickers is a show where I chat with professional esports athletes in an array of games from League of Legends, Counterstrike, Valorant and StarCraft. In the following episode, I talk with Julian "Rev" Joachim, an Australian National Karate and StarCraft 2 Grandmaster athlete. We discuss the importance of physical activity for overall wellbeing, mental performance and general health. Julian reflects on his experience at Nationals where he conquered fear, out beat anxiety and persevered in unwinnable situations. We also critically discuss "Ladder Anxiety" and the importance of visualisation before any major or minor performance.

Mindclickers is a show where I chat with professional esports athletes in an array of games from League of Legends, Counterstrike, Valorant and Starcraft. In the following Episode, I talk with Toby "Udysof" Horne who is a professional Oceania League of Legends player for the Dire Wolves. Toby talks in detail about his experiences at the 2018 League of Legends World Championship and his ability to stay focused whilst avoiding mental fatigue. We chat about the future of esports, how to not burnout from gaming, imagery and stress, and how he has managed to perform consistently as a player inside the game, and as a social media manager. The final segment includes an insight into some League of Legends specific scenarios and how Toby reacts on the fly in a high pressure situation.

The FUSE Cup - Esports in Schools | Mindclickers Season 6, Episode 5

In this episode of Mindclickers, I’m joined by Daniel Aivaliotis-Martinez, the founder of The FUSE Cup, an international interschool Esports competition that promotes digital wellbeing, inclusion, and positive gaming behaviours among students.

With over 18 years of experience in education and digital innovation, Dan shares how The FUSE Cup is helping reshape the role of gaming in schools across Australia and Asia. From building programs that support neurodiverse students, to tackling issues like loot boxes and screen time, this episode offers a powerful insight into how Esports and gaming can be used to educate, engage, and empower the next generation.

🎙️ Episode Timestamps

• 00:00 - Intro

• 01:32 - Introduction to Dan and the creation of The FUSE Cup

• 05:40 - School expansion roadmap

• 08:30 - How do schools fund esports programs?

• 12:00 - Educating students about loot boxes and game mechanics

• 13:00 - Physical and cognitive benefits of gaming

• 15:10 - Games played in The FUSE Cup

• 17:30 - Age ratings and game selection

• 19:00 - VR and gamification in education

• 22:30 - Setting up and hosting events

• 25:00 - Increasing girls' participation in esports

• 27:40 - Helping kids manage losing

• 29:00 - Encouraging participation and inclusion

• 30:40 - Esports pathways: high school to university

• 33:40 - How to go pro in esports - the tricky answer

• 37:30 - Competitive exposure for students

• 40:00 - Parental perspectives on gaming

• 49:00 - Positive social impact for neurodiverse students

• 51:20 - Final thoughts and advice from Dan

🔗 Follow Mindclickers & Stay Connected

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📧 Email – contact@mindclickers.com

🔗 Connect with Dan Aivaliotis-Martinez & The FUSE Cup

🌐 The FUSE Cup Website – https://www.thefusecup.com

💼 Dan's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danmartinezfuse

Chris Smith – Founder of BIGR | Ex-Pro Gamer, CMO, and Creative Strategist

In this episode of Mindclickers, I’m joined by Chris Smith, a veteran of the gaming and Esports industry who has worn nearly every hat from semi-pro gamer to commentator, CMO, and founder of a multi-seven-figure marketing agency. Now, Chris is building BIGR, an AI-driven platform that automates social media content for small businesses.

We dive into his journey through the gaming industry, the origin of BIGR, content creation challenges, and deep insights into the future of OCE Esports

🧠 Topics Covered:

🕹️ Chris's Journey

1:42 – Introduction to Chris and his background

3:02 – Joining Netgaming Radio

6:32 – Experience in nearly every pro role

7:30 – Origins of his esports passion

🎯 Mindset & Specialisation

12:30 – Catapulting into roles through transferable experience

16:00 – Using stats to build mental models

17:00 – Cricket analogy & player mindset

18:00 – Redefining what a "win" means

📹 Content Creation & Mental Health

19:00 – Internal conflict when making content

21:50 – Handling negative feedback online

🌏 Regional Esports & Industry Insight

25:00 – OCE vs The World in esports

31:00 – Importing players into OCE

32:20 – Elevating APAC: LBP’s personal experience

35:00 – Sponsor interest in the OCE region

41:00 – Salary dynamics in esports

43:00 – The impact of Saudi Arabia in the industry

🧬 Identity, Innovation & AI

50:00 – Building a personal identity within gaming

55:00 – The story behind BIGR and how AI fits into the future of content

1:10:00 – Understanding gaming cultures across regions

1:13:00 – Chris’s final advice for aspiring creatives and professionals

🔗 Connect with Chris

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smithymayo/

Website: https://www.bigrsocial.com/

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