LizZard shares his perspective on Dota and life in an interview at OG Hub throughout ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023.
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 way in which to changing into one of many mainstay abilities, lizZard has stored 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 ordinary, his charisma stored the group 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 in a position to study his journey as a participant and expertise, in addition to the issues that drove him ahead in life. Behind his overtly gung-ho character is somebody who workouts self-discipline with a grounded mindset, however remains to be in a position to embrace the pure free circulation of life. One factor’s for certain; LizZard is a forward-thinking particular person and this is why:
Does lizZard ever need to come again to the professional scene?
![LizZard on the Western Europe Winter Dota Pro Circuit panel - February 2023 (Image by PGL)](https://esports.gg/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F12%2FLizZard-on-the-Western-Europe-Winter-Dota-Pro-Circuit-panel-February-2023-Image-by-PGL-1024x576.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
LizZard on the Western Europe Winter Dota Professional Circuit panel – February 2023 (Picture by PGL)
Whats up, 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 need to return to being a participant?
LizZard: “Hell sure, I’d like to! I have been enjoying pubs not too long ago. And to be actual, since my associates first launched me to DotA, I at all times felt just like the video games had been roughly straightforward. Until I am enjoying professional video games, it was probably not that tough. And I can see the errors that everybody else was doing. Nevertheless, in my latest video games, I used to be unable to see errors from others, rather more only for myself. Which means that I am in the precise place. I am simply not as quick anymore though I nonetheless love the sport and can at all times strive.”
By the way in which, I additionally performed in windowed mode for half a 12 months and misplaced 1,000 MMR. However I am cussed and stored 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 am going to acquire 5,000 MMR now, however will I grow to be a professional once more? Not possible.”
Embodying Bruce Lee’s precept of “be water”
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In different phrases, would you say you’ve got discovered your true calling in Dota as a expertise or panelist?
LizZard: “This may increasingly sound stereotypical from me particularly since I am going to the fitness center, however I at all times look again to Bruce Lee’s assertion, ‘be water.’ You may typically use that in any side of your life. I haven’t got a aim. I really feel that the place I’m proper now could be very nice and I like doing what I am doing, like internet hosting the OG Hub for instance. Did you see the present at the moment when Slacks [Jake “SirActionSlacks” Kanner] ate a banana leaf?
“Wherever life takes you, I simply float. That is the strategy I am having.”
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 tip sport for me? I do not suppose so. Wherever life takes you, I simply float. That is the strategy I am having.”
LizZard: “I do not stick stubbornly to 1 thought”
In your thoughts, have you ever surpassed the success you’ve got ever had as a participant now as a expertise?
LizZard: “One hundred percent. 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 float. If a chance arises, I do not look away. I do not stick stubbornly to 1 concept that’s most likely going to hang-out me in my life. Wanting 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 carried out far more, going to so many majors and TIs. I assume there’s a bit of 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 via.”
On having household’s assist for a profession in esports
Referring again to one of many interviews you’ve got carried out in your previous, you talked about how your loved ones was not absolutely on board together with your profession as a participant. Has that modified since you’ve got 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 type of good at Warcraft, and that is the place my esports profession began. I received a few native tournaments and actually wished to compete extra in that sport. My household wished me to concentrate on my research, however I’d relatively 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 feel 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 after 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 scholar.”
LizZard’s harsh reality on discovering a profession as a participant
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 usually, 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 suppose that it is best to waste an excessive amount of time when you do not see that you’ve got the expertise. And you’ll simply see that statistically. Are you ranked prime 100? Or are you at the very least rising actually quick via the ranks in a single 12 months like going from 2k to 6k. Are you younger sufficient? Simply do not sit there and deceive your self that you will make it.
“It’s a must to be loopy concerning the sport, you must adore it and also you additionally must have one thing in it for your self. Be actual with your self. I feel that is an important.”
LizZard’s advise on contemplating a profession path in Dota
I imply this is likely to 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 when you aren’t bettering quick. As a substitute, I need to twist this towards a constructive spin. Benefit from the sport! 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 one of the best. It’s a must to be loopy concerning the sport, you must adore it and also you additionally must have one thing in it for your self. Be actual with your self. I feel that is an important.”
On changing into as a number on the OG Monkey Enterprise Present
Certainly! Thanks for such an ideal advise, LizZard. Subsequent, I need to speak about OG Monkey Enterprise Present [MBS]. You have been part of this program for at the very least 12 episodes. How did you find yourself changing into a staple visitor of this present? Are you one in every of their principal hosts now or one thing?
LizZard: “No, we similar 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 at some point 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 after I was trying lifeless 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 though they could not get any tickets as the sector 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 way in which.”
Anyway, he requested me if I might assist him promote some kind 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 a bit of bit there. After which afterward I feel we held that connection. So karma, I assume, I do not know. However then once more, I actually like doing this and thus far I feel they’re having fun with it too. So hopefully it continues.”
LizZard’s fitness center routine and train ideas
![LizZard working out on the beach (Image by <a href="https://x.com/lizZardDota2/status/1561793400822648832?s=20" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">lizZard</a>)](https://esports.gg/_next/image/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fadmin.esports.gg%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F12%2FLizZard-working-out-on-a-beach-in-what-seems-to-be-a-beach-in-North-America-Image-by-lizZard-1024x576.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
On this episode, you talked about that you’re a fitness center bro. Are you able to share your routine and a few secret work out ideas?
LizZard: “My fitness center routine proper now could be everywhere. I’ve had some accidents so I do what I can just about to remain in form. For the time being, I am simply specializing in calisthenics. I am going to the fitness center, 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 lifeless. That is just about it. Earlier than I did loads of squats and lifeless lifts. I’d say pull-ups, lifeless lifts and squats are one of the best three you are able to do for your self. That is all you must do. You are going to be massive in a 12 months or at the very least you are going to see modifications.
After all, you must care for your self by performing some rotator cuff, stretch or mobility workouts. Simply so you do not damage your self. And take it gradual and self-discipline your self. I feel self-discipline is essential in every part in life.”
How do you inspire 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 preserve motivated. However the way in which I see it, it would not matter if I am drained or not. I have to get my ass up and simply go. That is it. After I get there, I am going to 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 damage, you are going to be touring or you are going to be sick. Something can occur and most probably will occur in some unspecified time in the future in your life. So, take day-after-day that you would be able to and use it.
“Something can occur and most probably will occur in some unspecified time in the future in your life. So, take day-after-day that you would be able to and use it.”
LizZard on focusing extra on taking over every day at a time relatively than discovering motivation
Objectives for 2024 and phrases to his followers
The 12 months is coming to an finish. What are a number of the objectives you want to accomplish in 2024?
LizZard: “I need to perceive myself higher and be happier. I am nonetheless pleased, however I simply need to be higher to the folks round me. Be taught to hear extra and speak much less, though that is one thing I’ve to do right here at work [laughs]. Simply usually, grow to be higher at every part. Apart from that, no actual objectives. 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 aim for the brand new 12 months as a result of I float. However you understand 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 may be a part of the stream. I hope you’re having fun with the OG MBS as effectively. Carry on watching it and thanks for following. Each fan who I’ve met thus far has been nice. So carry on being your self. Carry on being good. And I want you a Merry Christmas, pleased holidays and pleased new 12 months.”
Thanks lizZard to your time in taking this interview and to your abundance of vitality that’s actually contagious.
Be sure you catch lizZard not solely on OG MBS but additionally his private streams and social on the following:
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