Esports psychology is about more than performance — it's about helping players and communities thrive, both in the game and beyond it. In our media section you'll find videos, interviews, podcasts and lectures that we have created or taken part in, covering everything from mental skills and well-being to the culture and future of esports.
Explore, learn and get inspired. For our Swedish content, click here.
Ismael Pedraza is a top sport psychology consultant in esports. He has worked with some of the best teams and players in the world, such as Rogue, Vitality, and G2.
Ismael shares his tips on how to prepare for big tournaments, perform under uncertainty, how to build a positive team culture, cope and adapt with change, avoid burnout, go pro in esports, and take care of your well-being. He also talks about his research and his study that set the scientific stage for esports psychology. Ismael also highlights potential pathways after a professional esports career.
Networks mentioned: ENYSSP and FEPSAC. Photo Courtesy Riot Games.
Bernadette Ramaker is a splendid sport psychology practitioner, currently working with BDS, and previously, Rogue, and KOI.
In this conversation from 2021, Bernadette shares her insights on how to make teams work together, build foundations, create awareness, give and receive feedback, address challenges, manage expectations, deal with roster changes, integrate new players, and how to build trust. Finally, Bernie gives advice to future sport psychology consultants.
This talk is for anyone interested in esports psychology, and who wants to learn new ways into how to support their team and players. Photo Courtesy Riot Games.
Martina Čubrić, is a seasoned sport & esport psychologist working with OverActive Media, which houses teams such as TorontoUltra, TorontoDefiant and MADLionsKoi.
Martina highlights the parallels and distinctions between coaching gamers versus athletes, and examines the debate on esports as a sport. She offers insights on team dynamics, creating and maintaining a professional culture, burnout prevention, and the significance of social connections. She shares a rare glimpse into the evolution occurring within a high-performance scene.
Martina’s take-home message for aspiring teams is to embrace continuous learning. This talk is excellent for anyone who wants to understand more about the opportunities and challenges of working with professional esports. Photo Courtesy Call of Duty League.
The Olympic Virtual Series is the Olympics’ esports initiative, where our dear Joar was invited to share insights on the similarities and differences between supporting elite athletes in traditional sports and in esports. Joar highlights the role of sport psychology consultants in elevating gamers’ performance, well-being, and enjoyment of their profession, to help them perform when it matters the most. He also offers advice on achieving a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.
Furthermore, Joar showcases his competitive spirit by joining a rowing competition against former Olympic medalists—and he actually won it, taking the first place! To see part two, press here. Enjoy!
AEP was founded in Sweden by a group of friends who studied sport and exercise psychology together and noticed something missing — the gaming world, where millions of young people spend enormous amounts of time, had almost no access to the kind of psychological support that athletes in other sports take for granted. That gap is what AEP was built to close.
Today, AEP works at the intersection of sport psychology, esports, and gaming culture — supporting players, teams, leaders, parents, schools, researchers, event organizers and communities both in Sweden and internationally. We bring professional sport psychology methods into spaces where they haven't traditionally existed, and we do it in a way that actually speaks to gaming culture rather than talking down to it.
Our work is grounded in research and evidence-based practice. We believe that performance and well-being belong together, that gaming has enormous potential as a positive force in young people's lives, and that the people in and around the gaming world deserve proper, qualified support — not just well-meaning advice.
Whether you're a player, a parent, a leader, a school or an organization — if you want to build something meaningful in gaming, we'd love to hear from you. Tell us a little about yourself and what you're curious about, and we'll take it from there.
