Gonzalo "ZeRo" Barrios: Mastering The Championship Mindset

Competition is all about preparing for adversity. In order to compete at the highest levels, you must first learn how to cultivate a positive mindset. Join ZeRo in the Dojo as he coaches you through the importance of routine, discipline, and his own personal practice rituals.

Lesson 1: Practice

Creating a tournament atmosphere is essential in maintaining comfort levels while competing at a tournament. Quality practice is paramount to performing at your best.

Lesson 2: Mental Preparation

Your mindset is your shield on tournament day. The ability to block out cheers, boos, the lights, the stage and other factors will enable you to play your best.

Lesson 3: “Day of” Routine

Consistency is key. Keep your routine the same every single day, in order to keep your body and mind comfortable during tournament time.

Lesson 4: Nutrition

You are what you eat, and you don’t want to be a greasy, chicken finger on tournament day. Small light meals and snacks will power you through, but make sure you're not under eating.

Lesson 5: Matches & Breaks

Tournaments are typically three day long events. You have to be at the top of your game from Friday to Sunday. Remember that it is a marathon, not a sprint.

Lesson 6: Knowing Your Opponent

Information is power. The more you know about your opponent, the bigger your advantage over your opponent.

Lesson 7: Applying Pressure

Once you gather information on your opponent, you'll learn the optimal way to apply pressure. Once you create a persona for yourself, you'll be able to apply pressure without even picking up the controller.

Lesson 8: Winning Big/Losing Big Pt 1

Buying into the hype of a big win or falling into the hole of a big loss are surefire ways to derail your tournament performance. Use your mindset to block out those feelings and remain even keel.

Lesson 9: Winning Big/Losing Big Pt 2

Haters will hate. Adversity will be something you will face often on your rise to the top. Brush off the hate and keep moving forward.

Lesson 10: Sportsmanship

Be a graceful competitor and use sportsmanship as a way to present yourself positively. eSports is still quite small, so you don't want to carry a bad reputation.