Mind Games Ep. 4 | Jack Birtwhistle on Managing Vitality, Zywoo & CS2 Playoff Prep

In this episode of Mind Games, I’m joined by Jack Birtwhistle, the performance manager for Team Vitality, fresh off their impressive run to the Perfect World Shanghai Major playoffs. Jack shares his unique journey from rugby to esports and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he supports one of the top Counter-Strike teams in the world.

We dive into his approach to managing Vitality’s roster, including working with ZywOo, widely regarded as one of the best players in Counter-Strike history. From preparing a team for losses to handling fan interactions with young players, Jack provides valuable insights into the mental and physical challenges faced by pro players.

📅 Recorded: December 12, 2024

🔖 Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Jack Birtwhistle & Team Vitality

01:39 From a rugby background to Counter-Strike performance management

06:17 Preparing teams mentally for the possibility of losing

09:53 Managing ZywOo: Supporting a world-class player

11:48 Roster rumors and the pressure to perform at the top

15:54 Fan interactions and their impact on young players

20:54 Key struggles faced by professional CS2 players

21:42 What separates good players from great ones in Counter-Strike

28:44 Exploring the link between depression and esports competition

33:52 Vitality’s KARE Project: Supporting player well-being

36:12 Inside Vitality’s mindset heading into the Major playoffs

You can find Jack on X: www.x.com/JBirtwhistle

You can find out more about Vitality's KARE initiative here: https://vitality.gg/en/kare-4/

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