ROYAL2 | Breaking Bonds

A poetry contest didn’t just win Lottie her first Xbox — it quietly set the trajectory for everything she’d become.In Episode 25, we sit down with one of esports’ most dynamic and beloved broadcast talents: Lottie Van-Praag. From winning an Xbox in a school poetry contest to competing for national lacrosse teams, Lottie’s journey winds through traditional sports, voice work & ultimately the Halo desk — where she’s become one of the defining voices of the modern HCS era.Across one hour of conversation, we explore the full story of Lottie’s rise: her early gaming memories, the shared Xbox that introduced her to Halo, the national team lacrosse years, the Kinect hurdles competition that made the news, breaking into sports broadcasting, discovering esports through Gfinity, joining HCS for the World Championships, and the emotional moments that shaped her career — including watching her husband Snakebite win a world title.From childhood consoles to national competition, from backstage preparation to holding back World‑Championship Tears — this is the DEFINITIVE Lottie origin story.

In Episode 24, we sit down with one of esports’ most influential pioneers: Sundance DiGiovanni. As the co‑founder of Major League Gaming, Sundance helped transform basement LAN parties into a global competitive ecosystem — shaping the culture, production & personalities that defined an entire generation of console esports.

In Episode 23, we sit down with one of Halo’s most prolific superstars: APG. With nearly 20 years in the game, Bradley’s career is a benchmark for competitive Halo—setting the standard for longevity and consistency. We dive into his two-decade journey: the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From a young aspiring competitor to one of the scene’s most beloved content creators, APG’s story is one you won’t want to miss.

Episode 22. In this powerful installment of Tied the Leader, we sit down with Commandstation—an Air Force servicemember and trailblazer in competitive Halo—fresh off her historic Free-For-All LAN win at DreamHack Dallas. From childhood memories on a Disney Princess TV to honoring her late father through her gamertag, Ally shares the inspiring journey behind her rise, her military-life balance, and her impact on women in competitive gaming. It’s raw, real, and unforgettable.

In Episode 21, Trippy digs deep to share some juicy insights from recent Rostermanias—including near misses on picking up a couple of "Legends." We explore his journey, from teaming with nearly every notable pro, past and present, to his first LAN success at the 2019 Red Bull Rise Till Dawn 2v2 Tournament while teaming with Pznguin, and ultimately capturing the 2022 Halo World Championship as a member of OpTic Gaming. He also opens up about his weight loss journey, and we have a blast ranking gaming snacks in a tier list.

In Episode 20, Last Shot takes us through his incredible Halo journey—from a 200+ placement at his first event to securing a Top Two finish at HCS Arlington 2024. We explore his meteoric rise from canning fruits and vegetables on his family farm and struggling with a Starlink connection to competing for a first-place finish on the HCS mainstage. Along the way, he makes several unforgettable stops, including an FFA World Championship.We’re excited to share this latest addition with you and hope you enjoy it as much as we did putting it together. Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to like and subscribe! Thank you for supporting Tied the Leader and celebrating the game we all love!Love the show and want to support? https://www.patreon.com/TiedtheLeader Go above and beyond by subscribing to our Patreon where our "Friends of the Show" members get early access to episodes, outtakes, downloadable MP3s, ad-free viewing of our latest episodes & much more. Get YOUR question featured in a future episode! Free members will have opportunities to submit questions for upcoming guests as well. We thank you for your support!

In Episode 19, we celebrate the debut of our newly launched YouTube channel dedicated to Tied the Leader content. LUNCHBOX was an incredible guest sharing some unforgettable stories—from his early MLG days teaming with his twin brother, ROY, to his transition into the role of coach for OpTic Gaming. Love the show and want to support? https://www.patreon.com/TiedtheLeader Go above and beyond by subscribing to our Patreon where our "Friends of the Show" members get early access to episodes, outtakes, downloadable MP3s, ad-free viewing of our latest episodes & much more. Get YOUR question featured in a future episode! Free members will have opportunities to submit questions for upcoming guests. We thank you for your support!

TIED THE LEADER Ep18: Tashi, the Esports Lead at Halo Studios and The Man behind the HCS Roadmap joins the Podcast! You’ve watched the Halo Championship Series before - now take a peek behind the curtains! Follow along us as we explore the insights and passion that fuel Tashi's continued contributions to Halo!Following the shuttering of the MLG era, and after years of uncertainty, an intrepid few helped navigate the scene toward a brighter horizon. Tashi was instrumental in establishing what would become the Halo Championship Series. We discuss his journey from the beginning as an MLG Superfan to becoming an Industry Leader working on the game he loves. Love the show and want to support? https://www.patreon.com/TiedtheLeader Go above and beyond by subscribing to our Patreon where our "Friends of the Show" members get early access to episodes, outtakes, downloadable MP3s, ad-free viewing of our latest episodes & much more. Get YOUR question featured in a future episode! Free members will have opportunities to submit questions for upcoming guests. We thank you for your support!

TIED THE LEADER Ep17: Join us as we sit down with a gaming legend! Walshy's talent & enterprising spirit helped pave the way for Esports as we know it. He was fearless when directing trash talk at the competition, yet always kind and devoted to the fans. We hope this episode honors the man behind the legacy.If you enjoyed this episode don’t forget to subscribe and bookmark the playlist for more: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkVhyZZH-Xnepdfp71PwnF0y_2LANmw9ZEnjoying the show and want to support? https://www.patreon.com/TiedtheLeader Go above and beyond by subscribing to our Patreon where our "Friends of the Show" members get early access to episodes, outtakes & much more. All members have opportunities to submit questions for future guests as well. We thank you for your support!

Royal2 joins us as Tied the Leader returns for HCS Season 4. An incredible guest with a storied 15-year career, Matt was open and reflective on his legendary past and provided unfiltered insight into his future. Highlights include the hilarious first gamertag he "shared" with his brother Royal1, an even funnier Canadian TV advert featuring Royal2, an introspective take on his split with his long-standing duo Snakebite, and a hard-to-believe nugget about teaming with back-to-back Rookies of the Year ItzTheLastShot & Cykul. This is can't miss for any Halo fan.