New gaming-health docuseries with Pimp released:
"At risk of being unable to live on my own"
Many gamers love to immerse themselves in their game in front of the keyboard. But it's important to find a balance.
AFK (Away from Keyboard) is a new documentary series here to show you how to take care of your body and mind while still enjoying your favourite games.
In the first episode, we meet Jacob Winneche, aka 'Pimp,' a former pro gamer who faced some health challenges behind the scenes and found out that it was important to maintain a healthy balance in life:
"I loved gaming when I was younger but neglected that other side of my life. As I've grown, I've realised that if I want to continue to game as much as I've always done, I've got to maintain a certain balance in my health. The more I work out, the more fresh and excited I feel about my gaming sessions. To me, that's the ultimate win-win," he told BLAST.tv ahead of the premiere of the first episode.
Pimp tells his story in a new docu series, AFK by BLAST and Novo NordiskWhile he was crushing it in the gaming world, his lifestyle was causing problems. He wasn't getting enough exercise, ate unhealthy food, and didn't sleep well. It was taking a toll on his body and mind.
In AFK, we follow your struggles with health and weight. How extreme was your problem when it was at its highest?
My weight problems were very, very bad, to be absolutely honest. The rate I was gaining weight in would've put me at risk of being unable to live a life. Had I continued, I probably would not have been able to walk on my own, live on my own, and take care of myself. Just thinking about that makes me feel very uneasy.
What was the turning point for you?
Life. Life passed, and I was not living it the way I wanted. Always been a sports fanatic, but I couldn't do my sports anymore. I have always dreamed of establishing a family at some point, but that dream felt very far away.
Why do you think upcoming gamers, who might find themselves on a difficult path health-wise, can learn from the documentary series?
I hope the AFK series can inspire EVERYONE who may be struggling with some of the same problems I had. No one will be able to completely relate to everything shown in the AFK documentary, and that's not the point either. If you can find just a couple of relatable things and use them for something good in your life, I'll be over the moon.
From being overweight to running, cycling and swimming, Pimp has found the balance that makes his life (and game) better.Feel good to play good
Jacob decided it was time for a change.
Now he's found a healthy balance between physical activity and gaming. He runs, swims, and plays team sports, just like he used to dominate in the gaming world.
And it has made a huge difference. His mental health improved, his relationships got better, and he gained confidence. Now he's thriving in the esports world as an analyst and caster.
In AFK, we'll share Jacob's story and stories from other great gamers who have discovered the power of healthy living. In 6 episodes, released in the coming time, you learn how getting active can improve your mental and physical health and make you even better at gaming.
As Jacob says, "You have to feel good to play good!"
Watch the first episode of AFK on the BLAST.tv content hub.