Michelle Pain, PhD
@pocketpsych
Followers
1,360
Following
1,929
Media
763
Statuses
24,452
Dr Michelle Pain is a sport & esports psychologist working with pro / elite teams and players world-wide. She is an author & creator of resources, 🌈 ally.
Melbourne, Australia
Joined November 2010
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
Champions
• 233722 Tweets
Dortmund
• 202198 Tweets
Senna
• 181279 Tweets
Sancho
• 154550 Tweets
Gustavo Petro
• 141735 Tweets
Mbappé
• 96629 Tweets
#BVBPSG
• 85865 Tweets
Madonna
• 85332 Tweets
Boulos
• 80968 Tweets
Paco Villa
• 61660 Tweets
CRIME ELEITORAL
• 52843 Tweets
Rio Grande do Sul
• 42412 Tweets
Flopou
• 37656 Tweets
Ramos
• 34224 Tweets
Dembele
• 32965 Tweets
Canelo
• 26669 Tweets
Kolo Muani
• 23227 Tweets
باريس
• 21324 Tweets
دورتموند
• 17584 Tweets
Adeyemi
• 16890 Tweets
Fabian Ruiz
• 15631 Tweets
Fullkrug
• 15600 Tweets
Nuno Mendes
• 15299 Tweets
Hakimi
• 13536 Tweets
フジコ・ヘミングさん
• 12695 Tweets
Timmy
• 12336 Tweets
Luis Enrique
• 11463 Tweets
De La Hoya
• 11076 Tweets
#TierraDeNadie8
• 10895 Tweets
Barcola
• 10461 Tweets
Pinned Tweet
These are my favourite tweets right now 👇
0
0
16
Took a big leap of faith today
Quit uni teaching, a career I've held for 33 years, and now I'm just into esports/sport psychology
It's now or never 🤞
37
2
311
LFT/LFO in NA
I am looking to work with T1/2 NA teams scrimming 4-10pm ET, as their (fully qualified) esport psych
Previous and current clients in 2021 include
NA - Soniqs RL, PUBG, Val
SEA - Paper Rex Val
OCE/ANZ - Chiefs R6, LOL; 8Ballers CS; Mindfreak Val, SSMB
DMs open
15
67
277
@CJCJ_RL
I have visions of you driving off with it, in that little red car, waving it above your head and cackling wildly 🤣
0
0
108
I'm working on Australia Day. It's been a sad date for me since 2014, when my then husband came home and announced our marriage was over (after nearly 35 years together)
I cried every day for 2 years, and raged for 5
Then I pulled myself together and am living my best life!
16
0
102
62 today 🎉 Happier now than almost any time in my life before. Thankful for all the wonderful people who’ve supported me the last 10 years when I unexpectedly became a solo navigator. Hopeful I won’t be alone forever.
41
0
93
Any quote tweets with a reply for amplification in those regions are very welcome, thank you
6
25
69
LFT (paid position as a sport psych) in either CS, Valorant or similar
I work with Orgs and teams across regions (but not in direct competition with each other)
I equip players with the tools and ideas to help them become ’best versions of themselves’
RTs appreciated
4
14
62
How to set up a good team environment like that in Soniqs' PUBG team
2
6
57
I look after players’ mental health, and work with teams and players to improve their performance
I have over 30 years’ experience working with teams & players in trad sports, and 3 years in esports, but now esports psychology is my full time job
I'm in Melbourne, Australia
0
4
60
Thank you everyone for your support. I have good news. I hope I have found my new home and am trialling with an Org at the moment 😍
Your support of me is so appreciated, and I especially thank those who have worked with me, their family, and friends who wrote kind comments 💐
LFT/LFO in NA
I am looking to work with T1/2 NA teams scrimming 4-10pm ET, as their (fully qualified) esport psych
Previous and current clients in 2021 include
NA - Soniqs RL, PUBG, Val
SEA - Paper Rex Val
OCE/ANZ - Chiefs R6, LOL; 8Ballers CS; Mindfreak Val, SSMB
DMs open
15
67
277
7
1
60
Happy birthday to me…59 years young today 🎉🍰
@VoltrisCG
will install my nanoleaf lights, a present from he & Phil ❤️
Next year will be a big party, maybe a trip across the ditch to visit my Kiwi friends? Hopefully I’ll have teams competing in lans well before then though.
29
0
56
Today marks my 3 year anniversary in esports, starting with
@ChiefsESC
CS team, when I became their sport psych. I’m so grateful to be in this industry, doing what I love, with teams and players who allow me to help them, and make me a better sport psych every day.
3
1
55
My collection of esports jerseys is growing! I still have room on my wall to add
@8ballersEsports
(and my new Org I can’t name yet). Every player and team I work with is special to me, and I’m proud of my work helping you to be the best you can be ❤️
1
2
56
I thought you might like to see 'a week in the life of an esport psychologist'
I'm actually feeling a bit scared, like a tidal wave is coming
I have 5 different teams competing in 8 officials in the next 4 days
I ♥ esports
I ♥ game days
I ♥ all my teams
9
2
55
LFT
Avant’s CS team and I have parted on good terms, and I’d like to work with another esports team as their sport psych
7
15
56
I’M SO HAPPY MY TEAM 🇦🇺🇳🇿 MADE IT TO AN R6 MAJOR 🇸🇪 We look forward to representing the Asia-Pacific region
0
0
47
It’s taken me a long time to make it here for my first visit!
2
0
45
It'll be (or it has been) a busy 48 hours for teams I work with
Chiefs LOL win ✅
8Ballers CS win ✅
Chiefs R6 win ✅
...no pressure Soniqs Valorant 😅
3
0
44
I’ve been in esports one year today. Happy anniversary to me 🎉 Thanks to all the teams that have put up with me, I’ve loved every second.
3
2
41
@GothamChess
When players leave their sports knowing they've done their best and have nothing more to give, that's a win.
But if you've taken a break and feel that you aren't done yet, talk to a sport psych like me. My credentials are in my twitter bio.
0
0
41
"Watch out for
@SoniqsEsports
"
Congratulations
@iyencs
@pl1xxval
@QueenBobsta
@dizzyaus
@crunchyyworld
You worked so hard these past 4 weeks, you deserve the accolades
Thanks to
@KnightsGG
for a great tournament, and their sponsors
@eBay
@HyperX
@sheetz
& to our secret weapon
1
0
40
I can't believe my players imagine that after I leave their team (to go to sleep, so I say) that I instead jump onto a smurf and troll players anonymously in order to create more work for myself in the morning as a way to earn a living 🤣
3
2
39
Yes, can confirm that esport psychology makes me rich, or I would have been rich had I not spent it all on drugs, strippers and booze like a clown
In today's Facebook article clickbait we learned that the best way to get rich is to work in esports psychology, and the pet fish of esports CEOs own houses
4
0
49
6
0
36
.
@InstaFragOCE
I'm thinking of doing a podcast or stream where esports players and teams can ask about in game issues they have, and see what advice I might have for them. Do you think anyone in OCE might be interested?
4
4
38
I can't believe I'm old enough to have a 30 year old son - it's just not possible! (And to be told he topped his year at Uni! Both my boys just blow me away with their accomplishments.
#ProudMum
)
Happy 30th birthday Phil 🎂 ♥
(OGs know who is in the yellow cap. Fun times!)
5
1
37
A rare photo. Proof I wasn’t born with headphones on (even though I have them on probably 17 hours a day these days)
11
0
37
Look who I found! Had a great lunch at a pub close enough to hear the F1 engines with
@BulletL_
and his lovely Mum. It’s always such a treat for me to catch up with my players in real life, especially when they work overseas these days.
2
1
37
Survived the ✈️ to Barcelona (32 hours door to door), where I'll be having fun (I mean 'working' 😁) with Rix's Wild Rift team at the European Championships
I'm so excited to meet everyone
First match is Thur afternoon (11pm aest)
2
0
35
When I was watching this live last night (at the 30 sec mark) I thought 'oh, he's not going to be with the team moving forward'...I thought the energy felt really unusual and there was lots of underlying emotion (that wasn't about the win)
1
1
34
My wall of jerseys is expanding. I love every one of my teams who play for these orgs. So many happy memories.
3
0
34
Chris was one of the coaches of the best teams I never got a chance to meet. The mighty Pants Down Valorant team was EPIC. I miss those boys so much, they’ll always have a special place in my heart.
#LongLivePantsDown
3
0
33
Repping the
@NativeGaming
merch (which just arrived today). Beautiful comfy fabrics (that red sleeved one is my favourite). Going to buy the Worlds top next. (No jinxes please 🤞)
2
1
31
Celebrating my eldest son’s 27th birthday tonight. Here’s me and my two lovely boys (thanks for taking the photo Bry). What a big day!
1
0
32
As a sport psychologist working at the elite end of traditional sports and esports, these are the sorts of processes I am doing with my players and teams
Everything is 'performance-focused'...everything
That's how you create the ideal culture
1
3
30
I have looked for some time to be part of a CS team again...it's the game I started in
8Ballers renews my link with
@MoeycQ
(from Skyfire days) and I now have had the pleasure of meeting
@JoolzCheat
,
@pacificdongr
,
@onii_csgo
and
@BogeyGaming
#LetsGo
4
3
30
I’m really happy to be working with these hard working boys:
@MoeycQ
,
@Noisiacsgo
,
@The_DirtyBoi
,
@totcsgo
and
@clutchyygod
and we plan to have an impact on the ANZ CS scene
2
3
28
Oh to be a cat! Lying asleep in the sunshine til about 2.30, then come in for cuddles, before settling down inside for an afternoon nap, before the evening sleep. The day is sorted!
0
1
29
That’s now my 6th team in 2 years that will have made it to a major international event…and I haven’t even counted
@LFOcsgo
who have 3/5 members of a team I worked with in 2020
I must know what I’m doing! 🧐
=> 6 teams, 4 different titles, 4 different regions
0
1
29
Nice job Alecks
This attitude of 'making playing fun' builds a great team culture where players work hard for each other, and not surprisingly, find success
Wishing
@pprxteam
continued success over the coming days
Being a coach is damn hard. You work and work and work and rarely get the recognition you deserve.
We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for our coach
@aleckzon
- W coach, W interview.
Thanks
@DexertoEsports
for the great interview!
#VALORANTMasters
8
56
999
2
0
28
I want to help manage the expectations of our entire region for today
@SoniqsEsports
Val team are up against NA's
#1
team (and it will be cast on one of nerd street's main twitch channels; see you there at 9am AEDT)
At this point our job is to see how many rounds we can take
2
3
28
2
1
27
ngl, getting out of bed at 11.30am after working hard 3-8am is peak gamer experience ✨
2
0
28
.
@SoniqsEsports
Valorant team win Nerd Street Gamers tourney
#8
after holding off Renegades...it was a masterstroke choosing Ascent (13-9) for opening map, then playing Split (13-5) beautifully
Always good fun playing our mates
Next tourney is NSG next week
1
0
27
If you didn't see the
@pocketpsychpod
Podcast with
@devmartajames
and I on Sunday night - 'How to bring the right energy to your game' - here's a little of what you missed
2
6
27
I'm SO excited - I've pulled the trigger on a Herman Miller Aeron and it arrives in just over 3 weeks
I sat in a Miller-like chair at an office recently and it was so comfortable, and I asked myself 'what am I waiting for?'
Thanks to my sons for Mothers Day and b'day $$ to help
1
0
27
Full of admiration for the mental fortitude of
@ChiefsESC
R6 team
@Vast_R6
@GodLgn
@Dgtl_R6
@Fish0guy
@WorthyR6
@Hell_R6
@WarTurtleR6
Congratulations on your deserved win in the Oceanic Nationals
GGs ROFLCOPTER and KNIGHTS
0
1
26
Finished my last session with my client and I'm happy to report I survived my marathon work day.... was awake 33 of the last 36 hours.
I'm never going to do that again
I've got 11 hours to sleep now; back at it at 3.30am, for Rocket League, followed by PUBG😃
Good night
2
0
25
I got to two lans in 2022, and hope to be at many more in 2023. Thanks to all the players I had the privilege to work with this year - I love them all 🥰
1
0
26
I can't stress how important it is that teams have contact numbers and addresses for all their players and next of kin, so in an emergency, direct contact can be made (not tweets or messages on discord, FB etc)
1
0
26
.
@ChiefsESC
R6 team is AWESOME!
It's such a pleasure to work with these guys
@Fish0guy
@WorthyR6
@GodLgn
@Dgtl_R6
@Ethan_oce
@WarTurtleR6
and
@Hell_R6
Three times OCN Champions in 2021
#OCN
0
0
26
@VALO2ASIA
@pprxteam
@eggs_benkai
@jasonsusantoo
@prxd4v41
@aaronleonhart4
@shibasappy
The people behind the team (
@aleckzon
,
@harleydsn
and
@nikhathi
) need some acknowledgement too...these guys put in the hard yards since the CS days to give the team every chance of success
Enjoy the moment. There's work to be done.
0
2
25
Met up with
@CripsyyAU
(finally). I’ve known this guy a LONG time so it’s great to catch up.
1
1
25
Overheard in scrims tonight, the first after the break
1: Can they see me, how are they seeing me before I see them?
2: Maybe you're a little chunky these days, bro?
🤣😂🤣😂
1
0
25
I LOVE it when CS people try to explain gameplay in terms of sport psychology,
@OnFireAnders
Is it possible to aim for flow-state? A theory on what it even is. via
@YouTube
1
3
24
Really, really proud of
@8ballersEsports
. This is midnight. It’s gutting to lose (even the best teams don’t win every time they play), and it is incredibly important to debrief after the match.
2
0
24
Thanks to all the
@SoniqsEsports
Valorant team’s fans yesterday, in OCE and NA (and around the world) - the team really values your support
There will be more to cheer for in the 2nd Open Qualifiers that begins on Thur 22 (NA) / Fri 23 (OCE)
Happy 4th July to those in the US 🇺🇸
0
0
25
.
@pocketpsychpod
is back this Sunday evening 🥳
This time James (
@devmartajames
) and I (
@pocketpsych
) are presenting my favourite topic 😍
I'll be working with an esports team, teaching them (and you)
👀 Join us at and ask questions in the chat
1
4
23
I have wondered what teams can do to increase their odds of winning a pistol round, and this clip illustrates it beautifully, thanks
@OnFireAnders
On to de_overpass we go!
@astralisgg
vs
@FNATIC
at the
@ESLCS
#RoadToRio
#CSGO
- This time
@OnFireAnders
takes a look at how the Danes successfully take away all initiative from the Swedes and catch the TWICE in a round.
1
4
64
1
3
24
.
@8ballersEsports
doing vod review of OG v Renegades.
Up early tomorrow morning for media duties at
@ordergaming_gg
HQ, and then to pick up Moey’s new headset. We’ve requested a ceremonial burial for the old one - that thing died long ago!
5
0
24
Excited to announce a chat with my three fabulous guests* for
#DreamHackMelbourne
, Sunday 30th April at 11am 🎉
The topic is 'Making it out of OCE' ✈
*Unfortunately Barcode and Bullet are unable to be live, but I'll have a pre-recorded interview with them📽
@pocketpsychpod
3
4
23
@LemonKiwi_
's comment about players having resources to help them, but not casters, resonated with me. I hope OCE casters know I'm here for them any time.
huge shoutout to
@LemonKiwi_
for being a badass bitch n sharing her truth with me and opening up about the pressures she faces as a caster. I am still vibrating from our conversation and hope she continues to see her goodness and how amazing she is! sorry i fucked up the audio :(
1
1
20
1
3
23
Great excitement! I’m going to give some of the games my teams play a go.
@VoltrisCG
has just helped me order the parts for my first gaming rig 😀
Performance is measured by how many pretty lights flash, right? I ought to be pro in no time if that’s the case 🤣
1
0
23
Clean efforts from the
@TeamPantsDown
boys in their two Valorant matches today, both 13-1 against Team Burnout and Premium
They have at least 2 matches tomorrow starting at 4.30 AEST to progress deeper into the competition
0
2
22
We are ready to go to our Christmas Eve family dinner. The goods news is that neither of us are pregnant!
2
0
23
I had my second covid shot yesterday (AZ) and I'm very thankful
For a needle-phobic person, I can honestly say the needle is nothing (doesn't hurt at all).
1st shot = zero reaction
2nd shot = arm feels 'different' (heavier?) but its not at all painful
3
0
23
Me in a sea of boxes - the boxes are 2 and 3 high - and this is just one room! Removalist is coming tomorrow at 7. I’ll be up at 5 finishing the last room. Just got to disconnect the tv/Foxtel/DVD player tonight and I’m off to bed. Big day tomorrow…
2
0
23
Congrats to my mates at
@pprxteam
for their match overnight, in spite of three of the team playing off-site due to covid 👏🏼
0
0
22