LizZard: “Something can occur and almost certainly will occur in some unspecified time in the future in your life. So, take daily that you could and use it.”

Admir “lizZard” Salkanović is a famend Bosnian Dota 2 commentator and former professional who has been across the scene for many of its historical past. From his time as a professional participant all the best way to turning into one of many mainstay skills, lizZard has saved two issues fixed: His self-discipline in life and his love for Dota.

In the course of the course of ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, lizZard had as soon as once more grew to become the host of OG Monkey Enterprise Present, a program which he had been part of for fairly a while. As common, his charisma saved the gang in Malaysia entertained all through the present.

On Dec. 16, esports.gg managed to get in contact with lizZard for an interview. We had been capable of study his journey as a participant and expertise, in addition to the issues that drove him ahead in life. Behind his overtly gung-ho persona is somebody who workouts self-discipline with a grounded mindset, however continues to be capable of embrace the pure free move of life. One factor’s for positive; LizZard is a forward-thinking particular person and this is why:

LizZard on the Western Europe Winter Dota Professional Circuit panel – February 2023 (Picture by PGL)

Howdy, lizZard and thanks a lot for the interview. It has been seven years because you transitioned from a professional participant to a expertise. How’s that going for you? Would you ever wish to return to being a participant?

LizZard: “Hell sure, I’d like to! I have been enjoying pubs lately. And to be actual, since my mates first launched me to DotA, I at all times felt just like the video games had been kind of straightforward. Except I am enjoying professional video games, it was probably not that onerous. And I can see the errors that everybody else was doing. Nevertheless, in my current video games, I used to be unable to see errors from others, rather more only for myself. Because of this I am in the correct place. I am simply not as quick anymore though I nonetheless love the sport and can at all times strive.”

By the best way, I additionally performed in windowed mode for half a 12 months and misplaced 1,000 MMR. However I am cussed and saved on attempting to persuade myself that windowed mode works. The second I shut it off, I went on a 20 win streak. So, possibly I will acquire 5,000 MMR now, however will I grow to be a professional once more? Impossible.”

In different phrases, would you say you have discovered your true calling in Dota as a expertise or panelist?

LizZard: “This may occasionally sound stereotypical from me particularly since I am going to the health club, however I at all times look again to Bruce Lee’s assertion, ‘be water.’ You possibly can usually use that in any side of your life. I haven’t got a objective. I really feel that the place I’m proper now’s very nice and I really like doing what I am doing, like internet hosting the OG Hub for instance. Did you see the present as we speak when Slacks [Jake “SirActionSlacks” Kanner] ate a banana leaf?

LizZard’s precept in life

What else are you able to do in life the place you receives a commission to get pleasure from your self? I shed a tear throughout that phase. I am actually proud of the place I’m. I am proud of the profession decisions that I’ve taken. Is that this the top recreation for me? I do not assume so. Wherever life takes you, I simply drift. That is the strategy I am having.”

In your thoughts, have you ever surpassed the success you have ever had as a participant now as a expertise?

LizZard: “100%. My dream was to make it to TI as a professional participant. Sadly, I by no means made that. However as I stated, I at all times drift. If a possibility arises, I do not look away. I do not stick stubbornly to at least one concept that’s most likely going to hang-out me in my life. Trying again, I am actually proud of the alternatives I made. I do not know the place I’d be if I simply continued pursuing the professional participant profession.

So, after all I’ve to say I surpassed my professional profession by being an analyst and every part. I’ve executed far more, going to so many majors and TIs. I assume there’s just a little little bit of remorse for not making it to TI as a participant. However in addition to that, I am very proud of every part that I went by way of.”

Referring again to one of many interviews you have executed in your previous, you talked about how your loved ones was not totally on board together with your profession as a participant. Has that modified since you have grew to become a expertise?

LizZard: “Oh yeah, I am a Bosnian so after all my household was not on board. Truly, I used to be form of good at Warcraft, and that is the place my esports profession began. I gained a few native tournaments and actually wished to compete extra in that recreation. My household wished me to concentrate on my research, however I’d moderately play Warcraft and nothing else. They’d even plug out the electrical energy to cease me [laughs]. I began enjoying Dota throughout my college days and I nonetheless get the identical response. Although I’ve to say my household supported me immensely as a result of I did not have an issue financially. So I used to be blessed to have a really caring household, brother and fogeys who psychologically supported me.

And sure, I believe that has modified since I grew to become a expertise. I am creating wealth, I am shopping for stuff and I am offering. I don’t depend on them. I imply even again once I was a professional participant, I nonetheless acquired a pleasant wage for Bosnian requirements. So that they did not actually thoughts that a lot. They simply minded the preliminary interval by which you are actually a broke-ass pupil.”

Dad and mom in lots of components of the world, particularly amongst older generations have little information on esports and would view it with some stigma. In your opinion, how would you advise others {that a} profession in esports is viable?

LizZard: “Whether or not in Dota or simply esports basically, I’d say the identical factor. I would not strive being a professional participant except I made one thing and proved one thing to myself already. I used to be rank one on the leaderboards and I used to be nonetheless doubting myself. Ought to I stream or not? Ought to I attempt to go professional or not? For my part, I do not assume that it’s best to waste an excessive amount of time in case you do not see that you’ve the expertise. And you’ll simply see that statistically. Are you ranked prime 100? Or are you not less than rising actually quick by way of the ranks in a single 12 months like going from 2k to 6k. Are you younger sufficient? Simply do not sit there and mislead your self that you’ll make it.

LizZard’s advise on contemplating a profession path in Dota

I imply this could be too actual, however do not waste your time attempting to go professional if you do not have what it takes and discover out quickly in case you aren’t bettering quick. As an alternative, I wish to twist this towards a constructive spin. Benefit from the recreation! It is not all concerning the competitors. Like myself, I actually wished to play it on a regular basis, and I actually wished to be the most effective. It’s a must to be loopy concerning the recreation, you must find it irresistible and also you additionally must have one thing in it for your self. Be actual with your self. I believe that is a very powerful.”

Certainly! Thanks for such an ideal advise, LizZard. Subsequent, I wish to discuss OG Monkey Enterprise Present [MBS]. You have been part of this program for not less than 12 episodes. How did you find yourself turning into a staple visitor of this present? Are you one among their principal hosts now or one thing?

LizZard: “No, we identical to working collectively. And so long as that is the case, we’ll proceed doing it. How I ended up in OG MBS is principally as a result of I do know somebody who is aware of somebody. The man producing this invited me in the future to be a visitor of the podcast. On the time, I used to be casting until 5:00 a.m. and the podcast was at 8:00 a.m. And I nonetheless confirmed up nonetheless and it labored out. After that, I do not know what occurred however they wanted somebody to host this system in Berlin, and considered me from that podcast once I was trying useless drained.

However the joke is, he is Croatian and I am Bosnian. So we’re in neighboring international locations and we’re near Romania, the place TI10 was held. COVID was nonetheless there on the time, however sadly lots of people had already flew into Romania although they could not get any tickets as the world was closed to the general public. He [Ivan Chadnar] reached out to me and requested if I can share that. He wasn’t part of OG again then. Ivan is a superb man by the best way.”

Anyway, he requested me if I may assist him promote some type of hub he was organizing the place they may go and watch video games collectively. Particularly for these stranded in Romania with nothing to do. So I helped him out just a little bit there. After which in a while I believe we held that connection. So karma, I assume, I do not know. However then once more, I actually like doing this and up to now I believe they’re having fun with it too. So hopefully it continues.”

On this episode, you talked about that you’re a health club bro. Are you able to share your routine and a few secret work out suggestions?

LizZard: “My health club routine proper now’s all over. I’ve had some accidents so I do what I can just about to remain in form. In the meanwhile, I am simply specializing in calisthenics. I am going to the health club, placed on a weighted belt and do as many pull-ups as I can. I put 20 to 40 kilograms, do 5 pull-ups and repeat it till I am useless. That is just about it. Earlier than I did plenty of squats and useless lifts. I’d say pull-ups, useless lifts and squats are the most effective three you are able to do for your self. That is all you must do. You are going to be large in a 12 months or not less than you are going to see adjustments.

In fact, you must care for your self by doing a little rotator cuff, stretch or mobility workouts. Simply so you do not harm your self. And take it gradual and self-discipline your self. I believe self-discipline is necessary in every part in life.”

How do you encourage and self-discipline your self?

LizZard: “Motivation is a non-factor. I do not know, possibly I am simply lacking some mind cells that folks must hold motivated. However the best way I see it, it would not matter if I am drained or not. I must get my ass up and simply go. That is it. After I get there, I will take into consideration my motivation. You are going to have so many days in your life by which you can’t go due to numerous causes. Motivation is not one. You are going to be harm, you are going to be touring or you are going to be sick. Something can occur and almost certainly will occur in some unspecified time in the future in your life. So, take daily that you could and use it.

LizZard on focusing extra on taking over every day at a time moderately than discovering motivation

The 12 months is coming to an finish. What are a few of the targets you want to accomplish in 2024?

LizZard: “I wish to perceive myself higher and be happier. I am nonetheless completely happy, however I simply wish to be higher to the individuals round me. Study to pay attention extra and discuss much less, although that is one thing I’ve to do right here at work [laughs]. Simply basically, grow to be higher at every part. Moreover that, no actual targets. As soon as once more, like I stated, I actually by no means in my life stated this 12 months I am going to do that and that. I actually by no means made a objective for the brand new 12 months as a result of I drift. However you already know what? I’ll work out on the primary of January.”

Very good! Lastly, what do you want to say to your followers on the market?

LizZard: “I’ve followers [laughs]? Thanks for supporting me. I get your messages. I attempt to reply as many as I can. If I do not, I am sorry. I am attempting to stream once more so you possibly can be a part of the stream. I hope you might be having fun with the OG MBS as properly. Carry on watching it and thanks for following. Each fan who I’ve met up to now has been nice. So carry on being your self. Carry on being good. And I want you a Merry Christmas, completely happy holidays and completely happy new 12 months.”

Thanks lizZard on your time in taking this interview and on your abundance of power that’s actually contagious.

Make sure you catch lizZard not solely on OG MBS but in addition his private streams and social on the following:

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