This story was originally published on Passionfruit.
This article contains descriptions of weight loss and eating disorders.
Despite traditional stereotypes of gamers as “lazy” loners lurking in the dark behind computer screens day and night, the fitness industry has made its stake in the gaming community. New exercise-oriented video games continue to hit the market, and gamers like NICKMERCS and SypherPK have shifted the world’s perception of gamers to be on the same level as traditional athletes—demonstrated by Twitch streamers being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Ali “SypherPK” Hassan is a legend in gaming and streaming. He is one of the first gamers to blend esports with the world of content creation and entertainment, going full-time as a streamer in 2015. He has attracted millions of followers on Twitch and YouTube, excelling in online multiplayer games like Fortnite. As Hassan’s star power grew, he also made an impact in a field that was initially unexpected: health and wellness.
Last week at SXSW, Hassan joined his longtime manager Justin Miclat and digital fitness content creator Charles Thorp to discuss how health has become a topic of importance in gaming communities.
