She was just dropping in for an hour. Dinner plans on the calendar. Then Laura Boone stepped into an esports LAN with high schoolers... and never left.

What she saw changed everything. These weren’t just kids playing games. They were thinking, processing, adapting - in real time.

No hand-holding. No ego. Just raw ability.

In this episode, Kim and Laura dive deep into the minds behind the monitors.

Academic vs. creative.

Left brain vs. right brain.

Why some kids flounder in school but thrive in esports.

And why treating students like pros makes all the difference.

They explore failure, risk, and the misunderstood genius of the gamer brain. And how giving kids the right environment doesn't just unlock skill - it unlocks identity.

This isn’t just about video games. It’s about rewiring how we see the next generation.

Key Takeaways

• What Laura saw at a high school Rocket League LAN that completely shifted her view
• How traditional academics often miss the strengths of creative learners
• Why the esports environment helps students thrive where classrooms sometimes fail
• The difference between left-brain and right-brain learners - and why both matter
• How creating "brain-safe" spaces unlocks student identity and performance
• What educators and parents need to understand about how kids learn today

Chapter Markers

00:00 – Kim introduces Laura and the story begins 01:00 – Laura’s spontaneous decision to stay at the Rocket League event 03:00 – Treating kids like pros and watching them rise to the occasion 06:00 – Breaking down the academic vs. creative learning dilemma 09:00 – Kim’s story from India: the student stuck between both worlds 13:00 – Left brain, right brain, and the cost of misunderstanding 18:00 – How educators and parents can better connect with kids 25:00 – Kim's philosophy on failure, growth, and identity in esports 31:00 – A roadmap to life through gaming 36:00 – Closing thoughts and what’s coming next in the series

Want more stories behind the screens? Follow @esportsmompodcast on Instagram for exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes moments, and real talk from the people shaping the world of gaming.

You’ll see what the mainstream misses. Hit that follow. Join the fam.

Introductory Music by @masonmadethis

Big shoutout to masonmadethis for producing the introductory track for The Esports Mom Podcast. If you are a podcaster or artist in need of high-quality instrumentals, go follow him now!

Mercanthony isn’t just another creator - he’s a force.

He started with an iPod Touch at age 10. Now he’s got 2,300 TikToks, 4,500 hours on Twitch, and a legacy tattooed in content.

In this episode, Kim Meltzer sits down with the orange-haired whirlwind to talk Beast Games, content obsession, and why he never wanted the prize money. They cover rejection, the grind, falling through trap doors, and filming videos while standing on a zipline.

This isn’t about followers. It’s about fire.

If you’ve ever felt like quitting, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways

• How Mercanthony started creating content at 10 years old
• The mindset behind making 365 daily G Fuel videos
• Behind-the-scenes of competing in MrBeast’s Beast Games
• Why chasing experience beats chasing money
• What he learned from being surrounded by 1,000+ cameras

Chapter Markers

00:00 – Kicking things off with Kim and Mercanthony 02:00 – The YouTube origin story 06:55 – 13 years of content and counting 09:10 – The G Fuel campaign: daily content and discipline 13:27 – How he got cast in Beast Games 17:45 – 4 days, no phone, 1 stadium: the qualifiers 25:05 – What it felt like to fall through the trap door 30:47 – What he learned from the ultimate content creator 35:06 – The future of Mercanthony

Want more stories behind the screens? Follow @esportsmompodcast on Instagram for exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes moments, and real talk from the people shaping the world of gaming.

You’ll see what the mainstream misses. Hit that follow. Join the fam.

Introductory Music by @masonmadethis

Big shoutout to masonmadethis for producing the introductory track for The Esports Mom Podcast. If you are a podcaster or artist in need of high-quality instrumentals, go follow him now!

Mercanthony’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtdlw5MrCrSIf-cDy6MOd_g

This isn’t just another esports story. It’s the truth behind the trophies.

From cottage bonfires and mobile hotspots to global stages and mental strain - JKnaps and Papa Knaps share the raw road of becoming (and staying) pro.

They don’t hold back.

The pressure. The pride. The burnout. What the fans never see. What the parents always feel.

And why chasing a dream means more than just winning.

This episode is a time capsule for Rocket League’s OGs - and a wake-up call for the next wave.

Whether you’re a player, a parent, or someone in the crowd, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways:

• What most people get wrong about pro esports
• The psychological toll of constant performance
• Advice for parents raising high-potential players
• Why success without soul burns out fast
• What the Rocket League community still needs to thrive

Chapter Markers:

00:00 – Welcome + Intros 01:30 – Becoming Pro: From Bonfire to Broadcast 05:10 – LANs, Losses, and Lessons 10:15 – Mental Pressure Behind the Game 14:45 – Parents in the Trenches 18:45 – What JKnaps Would Tell His 17-Year-Old Self 20:30 – Real Talk for Esports Moms and Dads 25:00 – Legacy, Community, and What’s Next for Rocket League 33:00 – Final Words + Love for the OGs

Want more stories behind the screens? Follow @esportsmompodcast on Instagram for exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes moments, and real talk from the people shaping the world of gaming.

You’ll see what the mainstream misses. Hit that follow. Join the fam.

Introductory Music by @masonmadethis

Big shoutout to masonmadethis for producing the introductory track for The Esports Mom Podcast. If you are a podcaster or artist in need of high-quality instrumentals, go follow him now!

She started as a hotel pro. Then got a call to plan an event for a game she’d never played.

Now? She’s the Esports Mom - and she’s got stories you won’t believe.

In this first episode, Kim Meltzer pulls back the curtain on how she went from managing hospitality to managing moments for some of the biggest names in gaming.

You’ll hear how the name “Cod Mom” stuck, why gamers trust her with their lives (and flight details), and what this podcast is really about.

This isn’t just about gaming.

It’s about people. It’s about passion. It’s about the stories behind the stories.

If you’re a parent trying to figure this world out, a gamer with dreams, or someone who cares about where tech meets health, entertainment, and life - this is your place.

Let’s get this party started!

Key Takeaways:

• The unexpected story behind the “Esports Mom” title
• What esports looked like before it became an industry
• Why hospitality, health, and heart still matter in gaming
• The vision behind the podcast and what to expect next

Chapter Markers:

00:00 – Why this podcast exists 01:25 – Kim’s first taste of esports (Call of Duty: Black Ops) 03:30 – From hotelier to gamer hospitality pro 07:20 – Behind-the-scenes stories from international esports events 10:30 – What this podcast will cover (tech, health, music, parenthood & more) 13:15 – Who this podcast is really for 15:00 – What’s next and how to stay connected

Want more stories behind the screens?

Follow @esportsmompodcast on Instagram for exclusive clips, behind-the-scenes moments, and real talk from the people shaping the world of gaming.

You’ll see what the mainstream misses. Hit that follow. Join the fam.

Introductory Music by @masonmadethis

Big shoutout to masonmadethis for producing the introductory track for The Esports Mom Podcast. If you are a podcaster or artist in need of high-quality instrumentals, go follow him now!