Travis Bouchard: Training Esports Athletes & Building Competitors

Travis Bouchard of Vimy Esports shares how growing up in Sherwood Park shaped his love for sports, starting with baseball as his first passion and later adding hockey and other school sports more for fun and social connection than elite performance. He credits his laid-back, supportive parents for helping him enjoy competition without pressure, which allowed him to stay involved in sports long-term and eventually move into coaching. He also describes gaming as a lifelong interest that evolved from early consoles and local multiplayer into online communities and long-term friendships. Travis describes how those experiences helped him build Vimy Esports by blending traditional sport values—teamwork, structure, respect, and data-driven development—into scholastic esports coaching.Travis pushes back on the stereotype that esports athletes “just sit and play,” explaining that serious programs treat players like real athletes with strength, cardio, posture, and hand-eye training to sustain performance in long matches. He describes borrowing drills from traditional sports (like goalie reaction drills and tennis ball work) and tailoring fitness to esports needs rather than raw strength.Our team:Nuance Hockey - Sean ConnautonMah Golf - Matt MahTaylor MedakBolt Media & Design - Dylan FlaschThank you to our guest & sponsors:Travis BouchardEarth WaterBird and Barley - promo code YSC15 for 15%!FG Promotions - mention YSC for 5% off your 1st purchase!A new episode every 3 weeks on:YouTubeAppleSpotifyAmazonAudibleFollow us on:InstagramTik TokFacebookXThreads