Originally posted at http://www.omnicpost.com/2018/06/12/dallas-fuels-mickie-on-working-out-being-the-best-brigitte-and-his-future-as-a-host/
The Dallas Fuel had a rough season; the release of polarizing player Félix “xQc” Lengyel, releasing former head coach Kyle “KyKy” Souder, and Hyeon “EFFECT” Hwang taking a leave of absence after enduring a heap of stress throughout this season. This emotional rollercoaster came to a high at this stage for the Dallas Fuel. So far in Stage 4, the Dallas Fuel caught everyone by surprise and turned things around. Following their win against the Florida Mayhem, the effervescent Pongphop “Mickie” Rattanasangchod stopped backstage and chatted about the team’s turnaround this stage, what he would like to see in Overwatch League next season, and his opinions about working out and dieting.
Everyone has that workout that they truly hate doing. For me, it is working out legs and doing squats. What’s your least favorite workout?
Mickie: I also hate working out my legs and doing squats. Almost everyone hates leg day and I wish I can skip it.
In contrast, what’s your favorite workout?
Mickie: I love bench pressing and doing chests. When it’s chest day, I get excited.
I think the hardest part for everyone is to change their diet and plan around it. What is your diet like?
Mickie: I used to do a try hard diet for 2 months and I think I’m over it now. It’s too much for me — I just want to do something happy and eating is one of them, so I want to eat whatever I want.
If you had a cheat meal, what would it be?
Mickie: I like Asian food like sushi, Korean BBQ, and Thai food. But, I think Thai food is really bad and very unhealthy.
Do you have any favorite restaurants in LA?
Mickie: If it’s not Asian food, then it’s definitely Jack in the Box!
Talking Overwatch League
In this stage, the Dallas Fuel beat the likes of the Boston Uprising, Philadelphia Fusion, and Stage 1 champions London Spitfire. After they defeated the London Spitfire, people took notice and considered the Fuel to be one of the best teams in this stage. One of the reasons for the Fuel’s winning ways is due to Mickie’s use of Brigette. Many analysts consider Mickie to be the best Brigette in the league. Mickie conversed in detail about what attributed to the Fuel’s turnaround, if he thinks he’s the best Brigette in the league, and how he stays optimistic throughout the Fuel’s struggles.
The Dallas Fuel are turning things around this stage. Name one player in your team that is stepping it up and why?
Mickie: I think everyone is playing better as a whole. For me, Brandon “Seagull” Larned impacted the team drastically because he’s a real flex player. If we didn’t have Seagull, then I wouldn’t be sitting here playing Brigitte.
What makes this Dallas team different than the one from previous stages?
Mickie: One thing is obviously the meta change. Changing coaches is another change too. I’m not saying our former coach is bad or our new coach is better, but I think the new meta came at the same time as the new coach so everything’s coming together for us at the right time.
A lot of people say you are the best Brigitte in the league. What makes you the best Brigitte in the league?
Mickie: People say I am the best, but I don’t think I’m the best so I can’t really say that I am.
If you don’t think you’re the best Brigette player, is there any player that you think is the best Brigitte?
Mickie: A lot of players play her really well. If I had to choose anyone, I think Joon-yeong “Profit” Park and Jay “sinatraa” Won are good Brigitte players. The reason why I look good is because the team is supporting me so much.
Any tips on how to use Brigette?
Mickie: If you watch my video on the Dallas Fuel channel on YouTube, then I have tips and tricks for Brigette. If you watch that, I hope you learn something new.
Every time you’re on camera, you always have a smile on your face. Can you share one thing with the fans to feel stress-free when they play competitive matches?
Mickie: It’s hard to explain and tell you how to do it. I think it’s almost impossible to not feel stressed. I’d say that you have fun in the game and think like you’re practicing to be good in the game and practice to handle toxic players at the same time. If you can do that, you can take advantage of everything.
Above and Beyond the Overwatch League
Besides the Overwatch League, Mickie gave us his thoughts about becoming a host after his playing days. Mickie held the mic at an event that the Dallas Fuel held a month ago, and his enthusiastic personality was contagious. Last week, he took the mic from Soe and gave us a taste of what it would be like if he were the host of the Overwatch League.
What’s one thing you would like to see in Overwatch League next season?
Mickie: I think 2 matches a week and 40 matches a season is stressing a lot of people out. For me, 40 matches is kind of frustrating for the people who already lost and cannot get to playoffs. For example, if you lost 20 out of those 40 matches, you still have to compete until the end of the season even though you’re not going to be in playoffs. I want to be like getting knocked out of competing for the rest of the season, if you have no chance, then you just get knocked out. Not just Shanghai Dragons, but Dallas too. After Stage 2 we’re like, “Where’s our hope? It’s so hard to make playoffs at this point”. As a team, we just want to reset and focus on the next season. I think most people want to reset and go again like when you fail, you want to get up and be stronger. If the season is too long and you already fail, it’s hard to catch up to the people in front of you even though you get up and run.
You guys are close to getting to the stage playoffs. How can you help your team get there?
Mickie: I would say it’s to trust each other — teammates and coaches. I think we will be fine when playoffs come around.
After you retire as a player, would you like to takeover Soe’s job as a host?
Mickie: I was thinking about that before and I would like to be a host someday. I like public speaking and I’m not sure if I’m good at it. It just makes me happy and I like to talk a lot. If I were to become a host, maybe it’s going to be in Thailand because I can speak better in Thai than English. I hope to help grow the esports scene in Thailand one day.
You can catch Mickie on Twitter and Twitch when he is not competing at Overwatch League. Mickie and the Dallas Fuel have two games remaining against the struggling Seoul Dynasty and 1st place of the Pacific Division Los Angeles Valiant. This week’s action starts this Wednesday, June 13th.
