Finding Your Competitive Drive, and Where It Can Take You
Every competitor knows the feeling… that rush when you land the perfect shot, hit the right note, or nail the move you’ve been grinding to master. For former CS:GO Major champion and VALORANT pro Timothy “autimatic” Ta, that feeling once came from competing on the server. Now, it comes from the satisfying crack of a golf ball struck down the fairway. In the latest Aimlabs Podcast episode, autimatic opened up about his transition from professional esports to the quiet intensity of golf, and how the same competitive fire that fueled his gaming career drives him in an entirely new sport.
autimatic’s story is a masterclass in understanding that motivation isn’t confined to a single game or career. He shares how the same skills that made him a world-class player; mechanical precision, mental discipline, and pattern recognition, now help him master his golf swing. The tools change, but the mindset doesn’t. “There’s so much nuance,” he explains. “You can get lost in the mechanics, but that’s what makes it addicting.” Whether you’re perfecting your aim or perfecting your drive, the pursuit of excellence demands patience, curiosity, and a willingness to start from zero again.
One of the biggest lessons from his journey is the value of a strong mental game. autimatic admits that early in his career, mental blocks held him back… until he learned to face them head-on with the help of sports psychology. Now, he applies that same resilience to golf, where there’s no team to rely on and no one else to take the next shot. Staying calm after a bad round, learning from mistakes, and focusing on progress over perfection are lessons that translate far beyond competition, into content creation, personal growth, and any pursuit that challenges you.
For players, creators, or anyone chasing improvement, autimatic’s story is proof that your competitive drive can evolve with you. The same energy that pushes you to rank up in a game can push you to new heights in life, whether that’s a different title, a new hobby, or even a brand-new career.