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About me
I have taught sport psychology and statistical research methods at university from undergrad to postgrad (and created Australia's first sport psych Masters degree in 1991) for over 30 years, and have been in private practice since 1986. I became involved in esports in 2019 when my youngest son (then the Operations Manager of Tainted Minds - which later became The Chiefs - one of Australia's largest Orgs) asked me to help his CS team.
My first international foray was with Paper Rex not long after the Org started up (2020). I was engaged to work with their CS team (who later became their Valorant team), but when you hear the boys talk about the need to have fun whilst playing, that was something I drummed into them. It's possible - even desirable - to play at the highest level and still enjoy the experience. I worked with other teams in my region and got a lot more experience in a few titles under my belt, becoming a better esport psychologist with every team.
My next international exposure was when the OCE Valorant team Exe was picked up by Soniqs in NA. The Operations Manager had no idea I existed but I wanted to keep working with my team, so I offered to help his other teams if he would pay me, and allow me to continue working with the Val team. Sceptical at first, he let me work with his RL team, and when I proved useful to them, he had me work with his PUBG team who were underperforming at a LAN in South Korea. I worked with them for 5 weeks and when they made the finals I was confident the mental toughness we'd been rehearsing would pay off - and it did - netting them the tournament win and US$1.3 million - after a clutch performance.
I've worked in quite a few different regions now with T1/2 teams. Do have a look at the Notion document I've added to this website. It talks more about my experiences and gives links to my work.
I've always been happy to work odd hours in esports - I work when my teams are working. I fit in whatever work I can because esports is so much fun and I like to have as much fun as possible. I know what works and how to bring out the best performance in my players. I hold myself accountable to the same degree as my players: I give 100% effort every time.
Coaching Offering
Ideally, I prefer to be embedded with teams, not called in as a consultant (ie I'm with my players in scrims and officials as part of the team). I will work with a single team, or some/all the teams under an Org if preferred. I look after players'/coaches' mental health as well as performance. For teams without an analyst, I also collect and analyse data. Price on application, it would be in USD per month (but it is roughly calculated at 80% of the average pro player's salary in your team *monthly minimum applies).
If I work with individual players or teams on a less than full time basis (short term or one-off consultation, workshop etc), I have to be conscious I'm not currently working with a team in that title in the same region (to avoid conflict of interest). This is only possible if I have the time available - it's always worth asking if I'm available. It's free to chat for 30 mins when I work out if I can help, but then you buy time per month (all figures in USD):
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60 Mins: $170
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90 Mins: $240
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120 Mins: $290
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180 Mins: $400
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300 Mins: $600
(let me know if you need more time than this), with an option for a $90-30mins session after the first month to tweak a problem.
The price might vary (depending on player's ability to pay). I do work pro bono for clients in need of urgent care with no ability to pay.
CS:GO LPL Pro League interview
Short post-game interview exploring the role and work as a sport psychologist with 8Ballers in the CS:GO LPL Pro League.