Slingshot Esports

What If…? … is a question that is most likely asked by someone who is curious, imaginative, and open to possibilities, often seeking to explore alternative scenarios and potential outcomes. In 2021, Disney+ and Marvel Comics asked that exact question. Over and over in fact, creating the “What If…?” TV series. What If...? explores various alternate timelines across the multiverse in which major moments from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films occur differently. (If that just went over your head, it’s ok. Just keep reading. It will all make sense, I promise.) If you’re a parent in today’s world, there’s a good chance you’ve had this thought at some point: “My kid is always playing video games. I can’t get them to do anything else!” Maybe you’ve even uttered the classic, “Get off that game and do something productive!” If you have, feel no shame. You are not alone. I thought the same thing and it nearly destroyed my relationship with our son.? Just as Disney and Marvel Comics looked at some of their characters and their story lines, asking what if something different happened, we can do the same. What if instead of fighting against video games, we use them to build a stronger bond within our family? What if gaming could be a tool for connection rather than a source of frustration? What if we flipped the script on isolation and used gaming to be unifying?? Think back to when you were a kid. For some of us, this is easier said than done. ?? Anyhow, maybe you spent hours riding bikes, building forts, or playing board games with friends. Those moments were more than just entertainment. They were how you connected, learned, and made memories. For our kids today, video games fill that same role. Gaming isn’t about pressing buttons on a controller and staring at a screen letting your brain go to mush. It’s about storytelling, strategy, teamwork, and yes, even socializing. So instead of viewing video games as an isolating experience, What if you joined them? You can start simple. Join us at our RAID events to ease into this family gaming thing by simply learning a game and playing with your kid. No strings attached. Just come and play - together. Continue reading here: https://lnkd.in/eSW6kthS We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good.

"America Runs on Dunkin’." ? A simple slogan that suggests that #Dunkin’ Donut’s coffee, donuts, and snacks provide the fuel that keeps busy Americans going. ? If you’re running on empty, tired, or drained, no worries. Dunkin’s got you. Grab a large Vanilla Creme Cold Brew and a Cotton Candy donut and the?103 grams of sugar?will make it feel like you’re in a race car running on?#NOS. ??? ? In other words: Americans, get your caffeine fix and sugar high at Dunkin’. ? And people do. In 2024, Dunkin’s revenue was?$13.8 billion. Billion. With a “B”.? ? We’re tired but we just need to push through. Life feels like a never ending grind, we’re running on fumes, and even the things we want to do can feel exhausting. ? And our players feel it, too. We rush them from school to practice to youth group to social activities and then back home again to get all of their homework done. Whew.? ? Just like us, they’re drained, too.? ? And we feel stuck. So we run to places like Dunkin’ to get unstuck. Even for just a little while. But the stuck feeling comes back and the motivation has disappeared. Poof. Just like that. ? But here’s the good news: we don’t have to stay stuck. ? If motivation has disappeared, it’s time to recharge—to refill our and our player’s emotional and spiritual tank so we can move forward again. ? Now typically, I try real hard not to let my phone battery drop to 1%. But I know people who do. Instead of charging it, they just keep using it. The screen dims, apps lag, and eventually—boom. It dies. ? We do the same thing to ourselves. ? We push harder, ignoring the warning signs, pretending we don’t need a break. Then, one day, we crash. Hard. And we become like the phone with 0% battery. Powerless and useless. ? And this is where Slingshot Esports can help. Our events recharge both players and parents by offering an encouraging and fun safe to play. We exist to recharge players’ batteries. ? To learn more, go HERE: www.slingshotesports.org Want to read the rest of the article? Go HERE: https://lnkd.in/eN_UwMh2

On occasion, my wife is out of the house over dinner time. The usual culprit for this ripple in our routine is that she has a hair appointment. Knowing that events like this are very important to her, I swallow hard and put on my big boy pants. If I’m going to get any amount of meaningful sustenance, I need to make dinner. For myself. But where do I start? Often, I’ll open the refrigerator and stare inside as if I’m at the Rijs Museum taking in the immense majesty of The Night Watch. I’m desperately hoping to experience something like the dining scene from Beauty and the Beast, watching in amazement as the contents of my entire kitchen and dining room magically create something as amazing as a rack of lamb, lobster mac and cheese, and warm caramel apple pie from Three Oak Steakhouse. Nothing happens. ?? I’ve got to make something, I tell myself as my arms dangle motionless from my shoulders. The growling from my stomach does little to move them. I feel frozen. My brain is like, Come on, do something!—but my body is stuck in “meh” mode. It’s called lack of motivation, and if you’ve ever felt it, you know how frustrating it is. You may even see it in your player, too. One day, we’re fired up about something—a game, a goal, a dream—and then, somehow, the excitement fades. What happened? Why does motivation just disappear like that? Motivation isn’t magic. It doesn’t just appear and stay forever. It’s fueled by certain things—community, purpose, renewal. When those things start to fade, so does our drive. Motivation thrives in community. Think about it—most experiences are better with others. And for your player, most games are better with teammates. Even single-player games feel different when they have someone to share the experience with. And making dinner for just two people totally changes how I feel about the process. I have to make twice as much, but it’s definitely worth it. ?????? Now imagine trying to stay motivated in life alone. No friends cheering you on. No one to hold you accountable. No one to make dinner for and eat dinner with. It feels so sad and lonely. Translation? We need each other. And this is exactly why Slingshot Esports is here. We’re all about creating a fun and safe environment where players can hang out, learn new stuff, game together, and compete. We're here because we know gamers need a place like this. To learn more, go HERE: www.slingshotesports.org What to read the rest of the article? Go HERE: https://lnkd.in/eSewmXRF

My wife and I enjoy watching the show “Alone” together. Yeah, I see the irony there. Anyway, if you’re not familiar with the TV series, 10 contestants are individually dropped somewhere in the wilderness to see who can survive the longest. Separated by miles with only 10 survival items, they must film their own survival journey. Did I say they were all by themselves? However, if being alone gets to be too much, or the weather too unbearable, they can "tap out" anytime and call for help. And no, they can’t use the satphone to call Uber Eats. We’re drawn to the show for many reasons, one being that we enjoy hiking, camping, and s’mores–those outdoor woodsy things. We’re also fascinated by how the contestants use a variety of survival skills to remain in the game. Some of the shelters that have been built are impressive. In fact, Mike from season 2 created an elaborate shelter with features like a makeshift sink, table, and even a bowling alley. While Moen, Delta, and Kohler won’t copy his design, having running water in the wilderness is impressive! But the contestants struggle. The lack of easy to access food gets to them and starvation begins to set in. Of course some contestants are able to catch fish and trap animals, but it's usually really hard. And while Roland from season 7 was able to make a “meat-crib” for the musk-ox he killed, contestants don’t have a fridge they can just open up and dig in. But the most common reason contestants quit and go home is because of isolation and lack of human contact. They miss their families, friends, and loved ones. The reality of being away from them is overwhelming. The mental strain of being completely alone in the wilderness for an extended period gets to be too much. Way too much. Intuitively, we know that humans were never meant to walk through life alone. And secretly, maybe that’s one thing that pulls my wife and I into watching the show. From the very beginning, humans have thrived in connection—with family, with friends, with a community that offers support and belonging. And yet, when loneliness takes hold of us and even our players, it often convinces us that we are better off isolating ourselves. It tells us that no one would understand, that reaching out is pointless, and that being alone is easier. In short, loneliness lies. But the reality is this: living in community is one of the most powerful ways to break free from the cycle of isolation, depression, and loneliness. And boom goes the dynamite. Community matters. And this is exactly why Slingshot Esports exists. We provide opportunities for gamers and their families to learn, play, compete, and interact with each other in a fun, safe environment. To learn more, go HERE: www.slingshotesports.org What to read the rest of the article? Go HERE: https://lnkd.in/eSF6kmZQ

Hey, I see you. ?? I know that sounds strange coming from someone you’ve never met, but I do. Because I’ve been there too. Maybe you’ve felt it—the weight of being alone, even when you’re surrounded by people. Or the exhaustion that comes from not having enough energy to reach out, even when you desperately want to. I know. I have felt it.? I’ve been in a wonderful community surrounded by beautiful people and yet still felt lonely and awkward. I would walk in, be greeted in a warm way, find an open seat amongst the crowd, and still feel all alone. The tricky thing about loneliness is that it doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it sneaks in when life gets busy, when friendships drift, when things don’t go the way we hoped. And before we realize it, we’re isolated—not just physically, but emotionally too. I know how easy it is to let that loneliness turn into isolation. Loneliness leads to isolation, either because we actively withdraw or because we struggle to build connections. Maybe we don’t know what to say or how to start a conversation. Maybe people are too busy, or they wouldn’t understand, or maybe—just maybe—we think they don’t care. But those thoughts? They aren’t the truth. They’re just what loneliness wants us to believe. And then there’s depression. It doesn’t always come in the form of sadness. Sometimes it’s just... nothing. No motivation, no excitement, no interest in things we used to love. And that’s when the cycle tightens—loneliness makes us withdraw, isolation keeps us apart, and depression makes it feel impossible to reach out. But listen—this cycle isn’t unbreakable. It feels that way, I know. But I promise you, even the smallest step can start to loosen its grip. A text message, a walk outside, a conversation—even if it’s just reading words like these and realizing that someone else gets it. You are not alone. And you don’t have to carry this by yourself. There are people who care, who would love to hear from you. We are some of those people. We care. We want to hear from you. The cycle doesn’t get to win. Nope. Not today, Zurg! So, if this is you (or even your player)—if you’re nodding along or feeling something stir deep inside—let this be your reminder that you matter.? Your presence, your voice, your heart—it all matters. And there’s still so much waiting for you beyond the loneliness. We’re waiting for you… We invite you to be a part of our community. Beat back the loneliness by playing Super Smash with us. Leave the loneliness in the dust and race Mario Kart with us. Or just be present to feel what it’s like to be with people and be seen. We want you to dash and smash with us! I see you. Even though I am on the other side of this email, I see you. And I’m rooting for you. Always. Make the connection: What small but intentional actions can we do to break the cycle of loneliness leading to isolation and to depression? We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good.

As parents, we all want our children to grow up happy and healthy. And we’ll do everything we can to make that happen. But sometimes, there are things outside of our control. Emotions is one of them. Sure, we can give a great birthday party, give them time with their friends, and take them to fun places. All of these things help make them happy in the moment. But, like a lot of things, the excitement wears off and they’re back to “normal”. The daily feelings and emotions once again take center stage and the challenges are back. One of the most significant challenges today’s kids and teens face is loneliness. This is more than just feeling a sad or left out. Loneliness is a painful feeling of being disconnected from others, even when surrounded by people. It’s the gap between the social connections someone has and the ones they long for. For our kids and teenagers, loneliness can feel like not fitting in, feeling misunderstood, or not having anyone to turn to. This emotional isolation can be incredibly challenging. Unfortunately, studies show that loneliness can be connected to depression. Children who feel lonely at age 7 are more likely to show signs of depression than those who feel less lonely. Depression at age 7. Let that sink in. By the time these children reach 15 years of age, the likelihood of depression becomes more significant. Teens experiencing loneliness were over twice as likely to show depressive symptoms compared to their less lonely peers. That’s crazy! ?? It’s critical for us to recognize the signs of loneliness and understand its impact. Loneliness can look different for every kid. It might show up as withdrawing from friends and family, changes in sleep and eating habits, and even losing interest in activities they used to enjoy. Yup, even their favorite video games. ?? Knowing how strongly loneliness is linked to depression, it’s our job to create an environment where our kids feel safe and connected. This is hope, my friends. Regular, healthy conversations about their feelings, paying attention to changes in their behavior, and encouraging healthy social interactions can make a big difference. And even more: God designed us for connection—with Him and with each other. Psalm 68:6 mentions how. He cares deeply for the lonely and places them in community. As parents, we have the privilege and responsibility to create that sense of belonging within our own families. We help our children feel connected and valued. And way less isolated, lonely, or depressed. One last thing: being a supportive parent doesn’t mean having all the answers. Sometimes, just being there shoulder to shoulder is the most powerful thing you can do. ?? Make the connection: How might we create ways to encourage healthy social connections with our players? We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good. You can read this and all of our other Level UP messages here: https://lnkd.in/gTMRf2FU

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. It forced families into social isolation as a non-medical measure to slow the spread of the virus. Distancing and social isolation were adopted worldwide. They required separation, isolation, and quarantine. And while these precautions aimed to protect public health, they also created unforeseen challenges—especially for our children and teens. Studies show that this isolation influenced people's daily behavior, causing anxiety, fear, depression, and panic. The social distancing disrupted routines, limited face-to-face interactions, and left many young people struggling with feelings of loneliness and uncertainty. They felt isolated. Alone. Of course, this makes sense. We’ve learned that social distancing can aggravate or generate functional and behavioral difficulties in our youth. Yup. Social distancing can really mess with our kids' heads and how they act. You remember. Schools shifted online and you were your child's "homeschool" teacher. Extracurricular activities were canceled and the inperson ways of connecting with friends all but disappeared. In this time of isolation, you had to find new ways to support your children’s emotional and social well-being. But it was hard. Real hard. As a parent, you likely felt the weight and saw the effects of these changes. You watched your child navigate a world that suddenly felt smaller, missing the friendships and experiences that once came so easily. You felt powerless. In that moment, you watched your child play video games more than before. Much more. This was scary and concerning. What were they doing? Who were they playing with? What were they seeing, hearing? Was any of it good? Your hands were tied. There wasn’t much you could do. In all of that, they, too, were trying to figure out the new normal. Whether it was an online, multiplayer game or a single-player game, this is where they went when they had time on their hands. And they had a lot of it. Today, while most of the inperson activities have returned, the feelings of isolation have not all left. But all is not lost. There is hope. The resuming of inperson activities and the forming of online communities have begun to address the feelings of isolation. Movie theaters, malls, sporting events, arcades, and even healthy online communities are now giving us opportunities to shed the feelings of isolation. And this is good. We are made for community. It’s part of the human experience. When we are together, we can support each other, care for each other, and push the isolation away. Galatians 6:2 reminds us to help others who are struggling, and to share the weight of their trials, struggles, and challenges. We can do that well when we are in community with each other. Make the connection: How might we create space for conversations with our players and youth about any feelings of isolation? We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good.

Losing stinks. Quite frankly, I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who likes to lose. And, I’m pretty sure that I have never met anyone who sets out to lose. To lose on purpose, you do nothing and just sit there. Where’s the fun in that? Boring. ?? Go take a nap - you’ll get more out of it. But losing can be good. Wait. How can losing be good? ?? Losing in a game and returning to play again, both in a video game and physical sports, provides the opportunity for players to develop key skills such as perseverance, adaptability, and learning from failure. These are valuable life lessons that can be learned when playing Rocket League or soccer and returning to play, even though the victory was elusive, gives players the foundation to persevere in tough times. Losing also allows players to reflect on what went wrong and to adapt their strategies for the next time they play. Knowing what doesn’t work will guide players to new ways of doing things in order to become successful. Learning from failure, sometimes called failing forward, is a key trait for success in life and can be learned by playing video games. Yes. From video games. But losing isn’t the only thing that builds transferable skills. Just like a good infomercial: Wait, there’s more. Games that involve strategy, like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Rocket League, push players to analyze situations, anticipate moves, and make quick decisions. Yup, this sounds a lot like physical sports, too. Even survival games like Minecraft and Return to Moria demand players to think critically about how to play. They have to - their lives depend on it. And then there’s competitive gaming. Collegiate esports athletes and pro players utilize both practice schedules and strategic planning, all of which are teaching discipline and time management. These, too, are skills that translate to academics and future careers. While your player may or may not be headed to become a professional esports athlete, learning to play within dedicated time frames at home can also be where they learn both discipline and time management. Providing a dedicated space where your players can develop resilience and adaptability, hone critical thinking skills, and practice time management is important to us. And because of that, we open up the Gaming Center on the first and third Tuesday of the month to anyone. No entry fee. No program. Just show up to our RAIDs and enjoy the opportunity to develop transferable skills. And since we’re open from 6:30p-8:30p, we’ll help with time management, too. Aren’t we kind? ?? Make the connection: What are some ways we can use gaming to help our players develop transferable skills? We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good. You can read this and all of our other Level UP messages here: https://lnkd.in/gTMRf2FU

Have you been in the car and asked Alexa to give you directions to your destination only to be left in silence? Or, have you caught yourself saying “Hey Siri” and then realized that it’s quiet because your iPad is in a different room? Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google Assistant have become integrated into our lives. We lean on them for all kinds of information. We look to them to guide us, tell us what we don’t know, and even confirm things that we think might be true. They’ll even turn lights on and off. ?? They help us strategize and navigate challenges, too. We know what to wear because they give us a weather report. They remind us of things to do. They help us avoid major traffic issues. And much more. While they are all extremely helpful, we talk to them all the time, and we always have them with us in one way or another, we’ll never really become friends. We can’t have Siri be a mentor. Alexa can’t help achieve a shared goal. Google Assistant can’t engage in moral discussions. Alas, all is not lost. There is hope. Especially for your player. Gaming offers things that our digital assistants can’t. ?? Gaming can offer mentorship. Older gamers can mentor younger players by using the interest in a shared game. Mature players can teach strategies and help navigate challenges, fostering a sense of responsibility and leadership. Gaming can strengthen relationships. Since gaming often involves collaboration and teamwork, the value of working together to achieve shared goals is reinforced. Gaming offers a platform for important conversations. Mentors and even parents can encourage conversations about the moral and ethical decisions made in a game. We see the value of this. Players who participate in our events enter a culture that is totally Kingdom minded and helps players engage in a new way of living. Each time we gather players for a conversation, we share a biblical principle that will bring value to them. ?? Proverbs 22:6, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, and Ephesians 4:15 each speak about the ways that through gaming, relationships can be built. Guiding youth in truth, having a companion on life’s journey, and having truthful conversations are key principles that help players find purpose through gaming. Make the connection: What are some ways we can use gaming for mentorship, relationship development, and a platform for meaningful conversations? We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good. P.S. If you’re having a hard time figuring out what to do for your player’s next birthday, we can help.?

I always wanted to be a good parent. Hey, who doesn’t right? I wanted our kids to have the tools necessary to be successful in whatever they did. So, I worked hard to teach them values, morals, skills, and those things that will help them develop into well rounded adults. Really hard. ?? The emphasis was always on doing the right thing, choosing the correct path, and not wasting time, opportunities, or money. And for one of our kids who was becoming a young adult, I just couldn’t see it. All I could see was time wasted. Time that should have been spent doing something of value was thrown away behind a computer screen with a PS4 controller in hand. I felt like I was losing time and opportunity. Yeah, I was lost. I’ll admit it. I couldn’t find the right way to teach more, to give more wisdom, to guide better, and to instill valuable life principles. And man, all of this just led to stress and conflict. Everyone in our home could feel the tension. I felt frustrated. I didn’t have a good answer on how to parent. But, in all of that messiness of life, I still wanted to be a good parent. And then it happened. As if appointed by God Himself, my mind was blown as I watched our son play Rocket League. ?? For 5 straight minutes, I saw everything I ever wanted to see in our kids. I saw leadership, sportsmanship, adaptability, resilience, grit, and more. I saw split-second problem solving in real time. I heard meaningful communication. I felt like I saw it all. Then I realized something significant yet so simple: I missed the obvious. Video games allow players to develop and practice problem solving skills. Video games are a platform for creativity and innovation. Video games demand and provide the space to nurture leadership skills. He was not throwing away time. He was investing time practicing all that I was teaching. Boom. Mic drop. ?? Proverbs 22:6 came to mind. Loud and clear. What I heard in that simple verse serves as confirmation that I was doing the right thing that it’s going to be ok. Whew! That was close. Less than a year ago, three friends from Creative 1 Media spent some time with us here at Slingshot Esports. Emily, Megan, and Dilip created an amazing video that captures the essence of this story. Watch it. Not only do they give you a glimpse into what we do at Slingshot Esports, but you’ll hear the revelation that started Slingshot Esports. Make the connection: How might we find time to watch our kids play, looking for the different skills and qualities they exhibit? We are #ForTheGamer and help players play with purpose and win for good. Emily, Megan, & Dilip's video is below. The Slingshot Esports origin story is here: https://lnkd.in/ekHHX_eD