Competing at the top level of Counter-Strike isn’t just about skill—it’s also about handling mental pressure, stress, and physical challenges. Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz, one of the most successful players, knows this better than most. In a recent interview with Retake Studio, he spoke openly about the mental and physical battles he has faced recently as a professional player.

Past Struggles with Stress and Burnout

This isn’t the first time dev1ce has dealt with mental health issues. In late 2021, while playing for Ninjas in Pyjamas, he took a break from competition due to stress and burnout issues.

Now back with Astralis, dev1ce is still working through these challenges. During a recent event in Singapore, he struggled with extreme jet lag, sleeping only one or two hours a night.

It was worse than anything I’ve ever experienced, and it just didn’t stop when I got back home

dev1ce / Retake Studio Interview

Slow Adjustment to Time Zones

One of dev1ce’s biggest challenges has been adjusting to new time zones. He shared that his body typically takes 8–10 days to fully adapt. This slow adjustment became a serious problem due to the fast-paced tournament schedule. For example, after competing in Rio, he had to quickly travel to Singapore, leaving him no time to recover.

The Impact of Constant Pressure

The combination of physical exhaustion from travel and the relentless mental strain of staying competitive created a dangerous cycle. dev1ce admitted to falling into a negative routine where his life revolved solely around the game—waking up, walking his dogs, grinding practice sessions, having dinner, and returning to the screen until bedtime. This cycle repeated six days a week for over half a year.

It was like a ticking time bomb. My body has always struggled with stress, and last year it became too much to handle.

dev1ce / Retake Studio Interview

Finding Balance Through Personal Life

One of the biggest positive changes in Dev1ce’s life has been his relationship with his fiancée. Having someone close to him has helped him find balance and step away from the constant focus on the game.

It’s so important to have something outside of work. If you base all your happiness on your career, it becomes a dark tunnel. My fiancée has helped me see how important it is to enjoy other parts of life.

dev1ce / Retake Studio Interview

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