ashhh steps back from his role as GamerLegion’s coach due to burnout

GamerLegion head coach Ashley "ashhh" Battye has announced that he is temporarily stepping away from his position. In a short YouTube video, he explained that he has been experiencing severe emotional burnout, which built up over the years due to an exhausting schedule, constant travel, and a complete lack of rest. This led to a decline in both his physical and mental well-being: irritability, poor sleep, bodily tension, and a feeling of being close to a breakdown.

According to him, the hardest part was hiding his condition, as the role of a head coach demanded constant confidence and strength. Continuously “wearing a mask” and blaming himself for the team’s negative results only deepened the exhaustion. Years of working 6–7 days a week, 10 hours a day, combined with immense pressure, drained his energy to the point where even minor challenges felt insurmountable. Ash realised that his emotional dependence on the team’s results had become unhealthy.

The coach decided to take a break to recover mentally and urged others not to ignore similar symptoms. He emphasized the importance of seeking help — support from a sports psychologist, private consultations, and his girlfriend played a crucial role in helping him through the toughest period.

Despite the difficulties, ashhh thanked the community and the team, saying that being able to live his dream in professional Counter-Strike means everything to him. He promised to return once he feels ready.

ashhh’s achievements as GamerLegion’s head coach

Battye joined GamerLegion in 2020 and helped the team establish a stable presence on the tier-one scene. His notable results include:

• Thunderpick Bitcoin Series #2 — 1st place
• Elisa Invitational Winter 2023 — 1st place
• BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 — 2nd place
• CCT Season 2 European Series #13 — 1st place
• PGL Masters Bucharest 2025 — 4th place

Under his guidance, GamerLegion consistently competed at major international tournaments and built a reputation as a resilient and ambitious lineup.