Behind the trophies, tactics, and pressure of top-tier Counter-Strike stands a man shaped not only by competition, but by discipline, emotion, and balance. In this exclusive interview, FaZe Clan’s legendary in-game leader Finn “karrigan” Andersen opens up about life beyond the server — from mental resilience and personal rituals to love, travel, and the values that keep him focused through one of the most demanding eras in CS history.
When was the last time you fully disconnected from Counter-Strike, and what did that day look like?
It’s hard to find time for those days when you don’t think about Counter-Strike at all, but they are definitely needed. My wife travels to a lot of events with me, so whenever we have a day off, she is good at taking me along to explore the cities we play in.
So the last time I fully disconnected from Counter-Strike was after CS Asia Championship, where we stayed in Shanghai for an extra couple of days just to explore the city and not think about anything else.
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What hobbies or interests do you have outside the esports grind? Something fans might not expect?
I love watching sports like basketball, American football, and soccer — probably being my favorite of them all. Watching Premier League or Champions League is something I enjoy a lot.
Other than that, I love to explore different countries through food, culture, and so on. One of the benefits of traveling the world to play Counter-Strike is being able to enjoy these things. Whenever there is a player break or a chance to visit different countries, that’s something my wife and I always prioritize.
You have a master’s degree in business and auditing. Have those experiences and associated skills ever been useful in CS?
It’s hard to put direct comparisons or experiences that can be used in CS from my education. But in some way, you could say that the discipline and structure of taking a master’s degree is definitely something that relates to my way of approaching the goals that I want to accomplish in CS.
You played football before CS. Is it something that you still do for fun?
Not anymore, unfortunately. I wish I had the time and motivation for it, but I’d say that CS makes up for not being able to play soccer, as there are a lot of similarities when it comes to strategy, teamwork, and competitiveness.
What team are you rooting for?
I wouldn’t say I have one specific team I root for, other than the Danish national team, of course. But I like seeing the best of the best play, such as Barcelona. In general, whenever there is a banger match in the Champions League, I try to watch it as much as I can.
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Are there any elements from traditional sports you’d like to see in esports?
I believe esports and Counter-Strike have adapted and implemented a lot of elements from sports over the last 10 years, especially when it comes to things such as having support staff that includes analysts, mental coaches, team building, dietists, and so on.
If we talk about specific things, then it would be reverting the change where coaches were no longer allowed to talk during rounds. In some online tournaments or group stages it’s still a thing, but it should be allowed everywhere. Just how tennis changed so coaches and players can communicate between points — imagine telling a soccer coach he can’t communicate with his team until halftime.
What does your ideal week off — with no matches, practice, or travel — look like?
As boring as it may sound, nothing beats staying home with my family and wife with no plans at all. Being able to go on long walks and enjoy nice family dinners without a care in the world is hard to beat.
What is your favorite country to travel to for vacation, and what makes you want to return there?
Having visited so many countries, it’s hard to pick a favorite destination. But one country we love revisiting is Costa Rica. The food, weather, and people are great. But the cherry on top is that we have access to tons of national parks and exotic nature to explore. It’s one of the things we care very much about when we travel, and Costa Rica has become one of our favorite places for that reason.
Can you walk us through a typical practice day for you? What’s the routine?
I can’t say too much in this regard, but in short, my work as an IGL focuses on multi-day preparation. For example, we play a match and I identify areas that need fixing or a map where we need new strategies or ideas. Then an entire day is dedicated to breaking this down. This is combined with another day where the first part is spent reviewing these changes, and the second part is scrims and practical work to implement the new strategies.
This year, you celebrated your 3rd anniversary with your spouse. How did you meet?
Long story short, we met at an after-party in BLAST Copenhagen. We didn’t really get to talk then, but that was the first time I saw her. Later, after the Katowice Final loss when I was at my lowest, I saw her again and we talked a lot that evening. That’s when I knew she was very special.
Top relationship advice from karrigan
I don’t really have many relationship tips, but the most important foundation of a healthy relationship is honesty and, most of all, the ability to listen. If you can communicate openly and truly hear each other, you can work through any future problems. Good communication is everything.
How do you protect your focus and maintain a strong mindset during the season?
My focus and mindset have been tested over the last year or so, but it has forced me to remind myself what keeps me going: the drive to succeed. The biggest thing is being able to leave negative thoughts behind and not let them control you. I talk with people about issues in a positive way, not to dwell on them but to process and move on. If you can’t do that, your focus will slowly disappear throughout the season.
Is there a place you go, or a thing you do, when you need a mental reset?
I’m in a very lucky situation where my better half, Anja, helps me in a lot of these moments. She can talk me out of negative thoughts, and even when she’s not there, I know what I need to tell myself based on our talks.
One of these things is the rocks you always see on my desk at tournaments. They each represent different values Anja has taught me to focus on. When we have a bad round or map, I remind myself of what they represent and what I need to be as a leader for my team.
What do you usually watch, read, or listen to when you’re trying to relax?
I obviously watch a lot of CS, but when I truly need to relax, I enjoy nature documentaries — I find animals fascinating. Watching soccer is also a way for me to switch off and unwind on the couch.
karrigan admits that if Counter-Strike hadn’t become his life path, his future would likely have been much more traditional and grounded in his academic background. He sees a clear alternative version of himself working in a structured professional environment, applying the same discipline and focus that shaped his career in esports.
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Most likely something related to my master’s degree in the field of accounting.
