Nate Hill, Pro Fortnite Player and Content Creator for FaZe Clan Note, joins Yahoo Finance to discuss mental health for professional gamers and his success on Fortnite.

Video Transcript

KRISTIN MYERS: I want to turn now to Mental Health Awareness Month and our next guest, who talks about using “Fortnite” to get out of some of these mental health issues. We’re joined now by Nate Hill, pro “Fortnite” player and content creator for the Phase Clan, as well as our tech editor and big geek, Dan Howley, who is very excited for this conversation. So Nate, it looks like you’re in your gaming chair. I’m guessing–

NATE HILL: Yes.

KRISTIN MYERS: –that’s a gaming chair. I am– sadly, I have to admit, I do not know too much about “Fortnite.” So I’m looking forward to learning more in this conversation. But I first want to start here because I think so many people say that playing video games actually increases isolation because you’re not leaving your rooms, even though I know people are talking to each other on the application. And I know mental health awareness is so incredibly important to you. So what do you say to comments like that?

NATE HILL: Well, firstly, they’re not wrong. The life of a gamer can be very lonely. And a lot of us are in very dark rooms, as you see. And but there are a lot of aspects where you are meeting a lot of friends gaming. Most people I talk to from home and my life are now people that I find play games and I play games with. So– excuse me. So I mean, I use gaming as a platform to reconnect with old friends, to make new friends and network that way. So it’s not all lonely.

DAN HOWLEY: Nate, this is Dan, the giant nerd that Kristin was talking about. I play games constantly. It’s basically the way that I stay connected with my friends, who live across the US. I guess, when you look at how gaming has kind of evolved over time from playing console games to PC games, where you can connect with people, does that provide kind of the outlet that people need? And I guess, as far as using kind of mental health awareness issues with professional gaming, how do you deal with the kind of pressure that professional gaming brings along with it?

NATE HILL: Yeah, I would 100% say it’s an outlet that people use, especially during last year when most everyone couldn’t go out. I’ve had old friends reach out and be like, yo, you want to play some games? You want to meet up? And things like that. So it’s been a really helpful thing during the past year for not only me, but most everybody else as well. It’s been a good outlet.

And you asked, how do I deal with the pressure of what comes with professional gaming and such? I think the same as any real actual athlete might. You just kind of have to put your head down and play because– and use that pressure and nerves to your advantage, right? Because everyone feels them. So if you’re the person that realizes that and knows that everyone is nervous and kind of a little bit shaky, and you use that to your advantage and go after them, be aggressive, it can help a lot.

DAN HOWLEY: I know we talk about sports psychologists in– I’m a big baseball fan. Unfortunately, I’m a big Mets fan, so that’s not always great.

NATE HILL: Go Philly.

DAN HOWLEY: But you talk about– well, there you go. We’re going to fight about this later.

NATE HILL: Yeah.

DAN HOWLEY: The idea that sports psychologists are involved in Major League sports like that to help players get out of funks and to help pitchers figure out their mechanics or batters figure out their mechanics. You know, there’s a bunch of different professional gamers that I’ve spoken to who say that they lean on sports psychologists as well. Is that something that you’re seeing–

NATE HILL: Oh, really?

DAN HOWLEY: –more professional gamers talk about? Is it something that’s well known throughout the kind of industry?

NATE HILL: Honestly, I actually haven’t heard of that, where I’m sure there are teams doing that. But our team personally have done, like, some conferences with, I guess, psychologists or people that are aware of things like this. And no, I didn’t realize it was such a big thing. But I think it’s very important to have somebody to talk to that understands what you’re going through in any aspect of life. So to have someone in gaming, that’s great.

DAN HOWLEY: Is, I guess– you know, obviously, you model as well. Do you find one more stressful than the other? Is one more difficult for you to handle? Not necessarily that you’re overwhelmed by it, but do you find one more– have more pressure than the other?

NATE HILL: Honestly, I would say modeling is a little bit harder because half of our job is going to meet people every day. So pretty much every single day of my life, I’d be getting told, you’re not good looking enough, and you don’t fit our clothes, and you’re ugly and go home. So having to compartmentalize that and go on with your job– your day is a little tough.

DAN HOWLEY: Yeah, and just being yelled at online is a little bit easier probably because–

NATE HILL: Yeah, because it’s people behind a keyboard, right? And you realize, if they’re doing that, they’re probably– they have their own issues. So I hope they get better, you know? It’s not going to affect my life.

ALEXIS CHRISTOFOROUS: That is the attitude. All right, pro “Fortnite” player Nate Hill, thanks so much. Tech editor Dan Howley, thanks for stopping by, guys.