During the offseason there’s been a great deal of discussion across social media on the role of pro players in the community. Some fans expect pros to be role models, exemplifying the correct behavior in game and on stream. Others are looking for more educational content from the best of the best. While there has been no clear resolution to the conversation, one pro has begun to implement life changes that line up well with what the community seems to want out of its pros. I reached out to HeroesHearth’s own McIntyre to discuss his new mindset, and all the changes surrounding it.

Live by the Mantra

“I found myself joining the dark side,” McIntyre explained, saying that playing Hero League had begun to feel hopeless, as though he was trapped in a negative mindset. Seeing their beloved streamer’s frustration, Mc’s chat offered suggestions such as turning off chat completely or practicing meditation. However, it was the encouraging comments of one viewer by the name of vedye that would resonate with something inside him.

“[He] told me to keep my chin up and focus,” said McIntyre, “then he dropped what is currently the !mantra command on my stream:”

At the end of the day, if you stayed positive, you are the one that is relaxed, and enjoyed your time. Being upset like that in the end hurts your mood your energy your bad time. Think about it.

“What he said clicked with me,” Mc continued, “and what I took away from it was that I need to focus on what's worth my energy--winning the game and helping my team rather than getting upset and focusing on the things I can't change.”

Mind, Body, Spirit

McIntyre’s transformation extends well beyond a new chat command. He’s adopting a new healthy living lifestyle for both physical and mental health. “Coming into 2018 I realized I may be coming to the end of my game playing years and I wanted to play at my best because this year may be my chance to finally get to play at a Blizzcon. With that in mind, I've decided to change my mental state and attitude both in game and out of game. I want to do everything with a focus on mind, body, and spirit and I hope to continue this way of life throughout the year and the season.”

He explained that he’s begun a workout routine, alternating between cardio and weightlifting. The goal of his fitness regimen is consistency--being able to maintain the schedule throughout the year rather than starting strong and burning out. McIntyre said, “The past few years I've spent lots of time being stressed, feeling exhausted, and not really wanting to do anything outside of playing scrims because of my lack of energy. I've also started to see more often that professional esports players, just like sport athletes, keep themselves in shape to compete at their top level. I want to get to that same place and play every day at 100%.

Championship Mentality

The HHE Offlaner is in good company with his focus on mind, body, and spirit. His goals mirror one of the most prolific esports competitors of 2017--Echo Fox’s Street Fighter player, Tokido. The Japanese pro is well-regarded for his commitment to physical health, as well as practicing meditation and breathing exercises to remain focused during competition. He’s particularly famous for bringing a tape measure to tournaments to ensure he is always sitting the perfect distance away from the TV.





At 32 years old, Tokido had one of the best seasons of his competitive career in 2017. He finally won his first Evo championship (the Blizzcon of fighting games) and came in second at the Street Fighter world championships at Capcom Cup. McIntyre may feel that he’s coming to the end of his playing career, but Tokdio and others are proving that a focus on healthy living can extend your peak performance by nearly a decade.

Support System

McIntyre isn’t going through his holistic journey alone. He attributes much of his success to his fiancé, Michelle. “She's played a huge role in this process as she believes in me 100% and supports whatever I set out to do,” he said. Then, laughing, he did acknowledge that Michelle had been telling him he needed to change his attitude for several years.

The hope for Mc is that his new mindset will not only lead to better performance as a pro, but also aid him in his new role as a husband. “In changing my mood for my games I'm also hoping this will translate to my relationship with her and my soon to be marriage so that I'm living happier and healthier in all aspects of life.”

Onward Towards Victory

Of course, all of McIntyre’s goals are centered around the impending HGC season. “I know I can be a leader and I know my mood can impact a situation greatly,” he explained, “so staying positive and sharp can only help my team when we play. I can't wait to continue to support my team and grow with them as we continue to play into the season. Win or lose I'm looking forward to the growth we will all have.”





During the season, he’ll be focused on using this newfound mentality and energy to lead his team both as a playmaker and an emotional constant. “One issue I've had as a player is allowing my emotions to take hold of how I play and affect my gameplay negatively. I think I'm a great player with tons of game knowledge and skill, but my flaw has always been attitude.” He continued, “ I want to be the person who's trying to find his way out of a dark hole instead of the person who's given up on finding it. I feel at times I throw my hands up and concede because "it's hopeless," but I really want to start find positivity and hope, not only to help myself in life, but to help my team in game when the situation gets tough and our backs are to the wall.”

With a renewed zeal, the support of his fiancé, and a goal clear in his thoughts, McIntyre is ready to start fresh with the 2018 HGC. “I don't want to be the villain or the bad guy anymore. I want to do it right with HHE and be the leader and role model that I know I can be. I want to be the team’s rock. This is my main encouragement and why I won't let myself fail this time around.”

My thanks to McIntyre for his time and willingness to share so much. To see the new mantra in action be sure to check out his stream, and show your support on Twitter. I’m hoping to bring many more player interviews to you as the season gets rolling, so let me know in the comments who you’d like to see interviewed next!