2x The Grind Podcast

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

- Music Credit: Artificial.Music -

Track Name: "And So It Begins" Music By: Artificial Music @ https://soundcloud.com/artificial-music YT Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/user/SmartToa... Original upload HERE - https://soundcloud.com/artificial-mus... License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License. Full License HERE - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music promoted by NCM https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ

Thursday Jun 01, 2023

Ep. 39 - Everything YOU need to know about going to a LAN event

Thursday Jun 01, 2023

It's LAN time baby!! We are going straight into what it's like to be at LAN, what to look forward, how we both prepare and what we actually get up to during these big tournaments! Hope you enjoy the episode ahead of the Global Invitational and that it gets you excited for all of the action that is about to unfold! Much Love x

- Coffee -

We have so many Paper St coffee beans it would be criminal to not keep testing them out so today we tried Marla! Ethiopia, is known throughout the world as the birth place of coffee. Marla, this single origin Etheopinan coffee from the Sidama region, will deliver a balanced, sweet, and smooth cup that will keep you hooked with its dessert like flavor profile. Notes: Strawberry, Blueberry and Dark Chocolate!

Try the bag for yourself here: https://paperstcoffee.com/products/marla?variant=43196998058221

- Audio & Equipment -

Camera - Sony Handycam AX53 4K

Mics - Samson Q2U

Recording Device - Zoom H5 4-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Interchangeable X/Y Mic Capsule

- Where to find us -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ogg4ETWN0JaW7Wy8dxnVQ?si=wS74TYPbQi6VGj_gO7QmoQ

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2x-the-grind-podcast/id1554111346

- Music Credit: Artificial.Music -

Track Name: "And So It Begins" Music By: Artificial Music @ https://soundcloud.com/artificial-music YT Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/user/SmartToa...Original upload HERE - https://soundcloud.com/artificial-mus...License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License.Full License HERE - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...Music promoted by NCM https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ#haloinfinite #gaming #esports #podcast #couple

Thursday May 18, 2023

Ep. 38 - SPACESTATION NO.1 SEED! FaZe BEAT OpTic, Complexity expected to perform at LAN!

Thursday May 18, 2023

What's Good Fam!? Hope everyone is having a fantastic week and enjoyed all of the Halo action from the Faze Dallas Qualifier last weekend! This episode we dive straight into it and give our insights into some of the hottest matchups and drama surrounding the tournament! As always, please comment and let us know what you think of everything we talk about, or even just adding a point to the conversation yourself! Thanks as always and much love ☕

- Contents -

00:03:00 - Intro thoughts on the FaZe HCS Dallas Qualifier

00:05:30 - Complexity, the gameplay on the weekend and the pressure they face in Dallas

00:11:10 - OpTic's performance

00:19:21 - SSG/FaZe/online impacts

00:25:24 - FaZe vs OpTic

00:34:15 - SSG vs FaZe

00:43:32 - Quadrant

00:44:51 - G1

00:48:32 - Sentinels performance and individual pop offs

- Audio & Equipment -

Camera - Sony Handycam AX53 4K

Mics - Samson Q2U

Recording Device - Zoom H5 4-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Interchangeable X/Y Mic Capsule

- Where to find us -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ogg4ETWN0JaW7Wy8dxnVQ?si=wS74TYPbQi6VGj_gO7QmoQ

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2x-the-grind-podcast/id1554111346

- Music Credit: Artificial.Music -

Track Name: "And So It Begins" Music By: Artificial Music @ https://soundcloud.com/artificial-music YT Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/user/SmartToa...Original upload HERE - https://soundcloud.com/artificial-mus...License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License.Full License HERE - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...Music promoted by NCM https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ#haloinfinite #gaming #esports #podcast #couple

Thursday May 11, 2023

Ep. 37- OpTic back on top, 2K results, HCS release Patch a day before FaZe Major Quals?!

Thursday May 11, 2023

Hello and Good Morning 2XTG peeps! Hope you are having a wonderful week and have a cup of your preferred beverage ready to go as we dive into the discussions today. This Episode is based around the 2K results and dives straight into the Newest Halo patch, discussing the significance of the changes and timing around the changes which leads nicely into the FaZe Clan HCS Dallas Qualifier happening this Friday & Saturday.

We hope you enjoy and as always we love to hear your feedback whether you agree with our takes or not, the only thing we ask is that you keep your opinions respectful when interacting with the channel and anyone else making comments! Thank you as always!!

- Contents -

00:00:00 - Start

00:01:49 - Discussion on the 2K results

00:12:23 - The HCS Patch, the significance of this change so close to the tournament and what this could mean

00:26:40 - Why the Patch effects casual players in such a big way

00:33:39 - FaZe HCS Dallas Qualifier, what this means for teams and how important this qualifier is

- Coffee -

Today we were sipping on the 'Tyler' beans curtiosy of our friends at Paper Sreet Coffee, sending over 7 bags of their wonderful products means we have lots to try! Tyler is a honey processed coffee where the coffee bean is dried in its mucilage using the heavy, cold winds of the Inga region of Colombia. Tyler comes from land ruled by a "cabildo" or group of elders that make sure ancestral traditions are passed on through the flavor of this coffee.

Try the bag for yourself here: https://paperstcoffee.com/collections/frontpage/products/tyler

- Audio & Equipment -

Camera - Sony Handycam AX53 4K

Mics - Samson Q2U

Recording Device - Zoom H5 4-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Interchangeable X/Y Mic Capsule

- Where to find us -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ogg4ETWN0JaW7Wy8dxnVQ?si=wS74TYPbQi6VGj_gO7QmoQ

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2x-the-grind-podcast/id1554111346

- Music Credit: Artificial.Music -

Track Name: "And So It Begins" Music By: Artificial Music @ https://soundcloud.com/artificial-music YT Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/user/SmartToa...Original upload HERE - https://soundcloud.com/artificial-mus...License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License.Full License HERE - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...Music promoted by NCM https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ#haloinfinite #gaming #esports #podcast #couple

Thursday May 04, 2023

Ep. 36 - 2xThe Grind LIVE! Answering ALL of your most asked questions!

Thursday May 04, 2023

What's up everyone!!! In the celebration of PJ's Birthday we decided to jump on stream and have Episode 36 live, conversations were flowing and questions were answered! Thank you so much to everyone who tuned in and contributed to the episode, for those watching back, thankyou as always for the support and we hope you enjoy!!

- Audio & Equipment -

Camera - Sony Handycam AX53 4K

Mics - Samson Q2U

Recording Device - Zoom H5 4-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Interchangeable X/Y Mic Capsule

- Where to find us -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ogg4ETWN0JaW7Wy8dxnVQ?si=wS74TYPbQi6VGj_gO7QmoQ

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2x-the-grind-podcast/id1554111346

- Music Credit: Artificial.Music -

Track Name: "And So It Begins"Music By: Artificial Music @ https://soundcloud.com/artificial-music YT Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/user/SmartToa...Original upload HERE - https://soundcloud.com/artificial-mus...License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License.Full License HERE - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...Music promoted by NCM https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ#haloinfinite #gaming #esports #podcast #couple

Thursday Apr 27, 2023

Ep. 35 - Complexity... best online team?! OpTic 6th place?! Cheating allegations?!

Thursday Apr 27, 2023

Hello hello!! Welcome back to the podcast and welcome to episode 35! This Ep is mostly going over the most recent HCS 4K, what went down, Complexity making a huge run and Faze winning the tournament. We touch upon the cheating accusations that have been floating around for a while but surfaced post the 4K and also discuss scrims at a high level; what insight can you get from them and comparing how other Esports navigate scrims! Hope you enjoy and as always, thank you!

P.s Apologies for my allergies playing up, very nasally this episode! - LVP xo

- Contents -

00:00:00 - Start

00:05:38 - Halo 4K chat

00:19:50 - Cheating Allegations

00:26:11 - Complexity's run in the 4K

00:32:24 - Grande Finals, what was the big difference between FaZe playing Complexity in the winners finals compared to the Grande Finals?

00:43:36 - "They won but they didn't have to play OpTic'

00:44:36 - Deep Dive into scrims, talking about different team levels and how the seriousness of scrims have changed throughout the years!

00:57:50 - quick CDL breakdown of the Major results!

1:08:07 - Coffee Rating and end

- Coffee -

Our coffee beans this week come from Texas and more importantly from a dear friend of the podcast and SnakePit! GpDavix and Sarah sent us their favourite bag of beans, from summer moon, called Velvet Blaze! This is a medium roast. "A blend of beans spanning the globe. Roasted with a flavor as intense as the flame that birthed it, as rich as the soil it was grown in, and as smooth as the law will allow." Tasting Notes: Roasted Walnut, Blackberry, Milk Chocolate. Grinded with a Timemore grinder.

Check out the bag we tried here: https://summermooncoffee.com/collections/wood-fired-coffee/products/velvet-blaze

- Audio & Equipment -

Camera - Sony Handycam AX53 4K

Mics - Samson Q2U

Recording Device - Zoom H5 4-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Interchangeable X/Y Mic Capsule

- Where to find us -

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ogg4ETWN0JaW7Wy8dxnVQ?si=wS74TYPbQi6VGj_gO7QmoQ

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2x-the-grind-podcast/id1554111346

- Music Credit: Artificial.Music -

Track Name: "And So It Begins"Music By: Artificial Music @ https://soundcloud.com/artificial-music YT Channel HERE: https://www.youtube.com/user/SmartToa...Original upload HERE - https://soundcloud.com/artificial-mus...License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License.Full License HERE - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...Music promoted by NCM https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ#haloinfinite #gaming #esports #podcast #couple

Thursday Apr 20, 2023

Ep. 34 - TRIPLE TRADE in the HCS & How FROSTY Was Picked Up Once upon a Time!

Thursday Apr 20, 2023

Hello 2XTG FAM!!! Good morning, afternoon or evening, depending on when you are tuning in!

Today's episode is all about rosters; the triple trade (as we are calling it) that has happened recently in the HCS ahead of the next Major, we dive into hypotheticals: what is a breaking point for a top team? what would it take for a top roster to make a change? Finally SB talks about how Frosty was picked up many years ago and how he knew that Frosty was the right fit! oh and can't forget the patio update that you have all been waiting for ;) Thanks as always for the incredible support and a HUGE shout out to Paper St Coffee who sent us the most incredible care package for this episode!!

- Contents - 00:00:00 - Start & Coffee!

00:07:13 - Patio Update lmao

00:11:17 - TRIPLE TRADE

00:30:46 - BIG Hypotheticals, what future teams could make a change? What is the breaking point for a top 4 team?

00:44:15 - How did Frosty get picked up?

01:00:38 - Rating Coffee & End!

- Coffee -

This week's Bean is right up our street - excuse the pun! Paper St Coffee were unbelievably generous and sent us over not one but 6 different bags of their beans!! Today we tried out 'Renegade' as we thought it was only fitting that we go for the bag named after a FaZe Halo member! These beans are a single origin Dark roast with notes of Peach, Lime and Black tea. These beans come from land that is irrigated from one of Africa's largest freshwater lakes. The growers form part of a group that focuses on safe agricultural practices but also strive to escape the cycle of poverty and social inequality that has been present in their country for years. Paper St Coffee aim to change the way we wake up! With premium, small-batch coffee that retains the flavors of its homeland in vivid, exhilarating detail—the true voice of coffee is opening our eyes to a new world full of inspiration, opportunity, and adventure fueled by untainted, delicious energy! THANK YOU to Paper Street Coffee for the incredible beans!

Check out the bag we tried and many more of their incredible beans: https://paperstcoffee.com/collections/frontpage/products/copy-of-stella

- Audio & Equipment -

Camera - Sony Handycam AX53 4K

Mics - Samson Q2U

Recording Device - Zoom H5 4-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Interchangeable X/Y Mic Capsule

- Where to find us -

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

- Music Credit: Artificial.Music -

#haloinfinite #gaming #esports #podcast #couple

Thursday Apr 13, 2023

Ep. 33 - How to tell when to RETIRE as a PRO PLAYER?! Could Shotzzy switch back to HALO and be good?

Thursday Apr 13, 2023

GOOD MORNING PEEPS!!

We hope you enjoy this laid back but thought provoking episode where we just riff off one another chatting away about what has been popping into our minds lately! As always let us know your thoughts and feelings, we can't thank you enough for the love and support on all of the episodes! Thank you guys so much - LVP & SB

- Contents -

00:00:00 - Start

00:03:09 - Being a spontaneous couple

00:08:46 - The Masters

00:13:03 - Mind over matter, can you really do anything you put your mind to?

00:19:15 - Retirement

00:21:00 - When do you start noticing potential retiring pro players?

00:24:53 - When is it too old to switch games as a pro?

00:27:05 - If Shotzzy switched back to Halo, how long would it take him to get on top form?

00:30:07 - What would dictate SnakeBite retiring?

00:35:55 - Will Esports have a tonne of pro players retiring into other Esports roles?

00:43:29 - What is SnakeBites dream retirement plan?

00:50:16 - CDL but go off on a tangent and talk about LVP being biased or unbiased at events

00:54:39 - Actually talking about OpTic Texas and CDL

00:57:48 - Coffee Rating and Ending

- Coffee -

This week we are sipping on professionally made lattes by GNM in New Jersey, if you are ever in South Jersey and pass GNM, please do go in and buy a perfectly made cup of excellence. You won't be disappointed! They also sell their very own beans! Check out our Instagram to find out more about them! https://www.instagram.com/2xthegrind/

- Audio & Equipment -

Camera - Sony Handycam AX53 4K

Mics - Samson Q2U

Recording Device - Zoom H5 4-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Interchangeable X/Y Mic Capsule

- Where to find us -

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

- Music Credit: Artificial.Music -

Wednesday Apr 12, 2023

Ep. 31 - REACTIONS TO SCUMP AND METHODZ RETIRING, FaZe LOSING, What Makes A GREAT Map?

Wednesday Apr 12, 2023

WOW! What a welcome back, thank you for all the love on the last video! Here is Episode 31! Discussing FaZe's recent loss in the Open, why they aren't too worried about it and what it means, Whether Native White are the real deal? Story time with Snakebite too! We discuss what makes a Map any good and what maps should look like for Halo Infinite. We also reflect on the retirement of Scump and Methodz from competitive Call Of Duty and how that will shape the scene. Hope you enjoy and please leave your opinions/discussion on the episode below, we love hearing from you!

- Contents -

00:00:00 - Start

00:10:35 - Teams showing up online but not on LAN

00:16:08 - Native White, the expectations of this team now

00:18:40 - Mental Hurdles and overcoming them to get to the next level

00:19:50 - How did SB find success on a team?

00:29:00 - Story time and how Dersky left 14 year old SnakeBite for StrongSide

00:37:47 - What makes a map GREAT? What can make Halo Infinite maps the best they can be?

00:56:51 - Our reactions to Scump Retiring

01:04:22 - Our reactions to Methodz Retiring

01:10:26 - Wrap up and Coffee ratings!

- Coffee -

This bag was gifted by one of our best friends Andy Dudynsky, or better known as Bravo, Caster of The Year! Thank you Brav! This roast is from Black River Roasters, This is the Organic Espresso Blend, This richer blend of medium roasted coffees meets you with hints of black cherry, followed by deeper notes of dark chocolate and caramel, with a nutty walnut-like finish. (disclaimer, not brewed according to instructions of the bag) Made with a French Press and TIMEMORE Chestnut C2 Grinder at 27 clicks, brewed 60 grams with 420 grams of hot water.

Check out Black River Roasters here: https://blackriverroasters.com/collec...

- Audio & Equipment -

Camera - Sony Handycam AX53 4K

Mics - Samson Q2U

Recording Device - Zoom H5 4-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Interchangeable X/Y Mic Capsule

- Where to find us -

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

- Music Credit: Artificial.Music -

Track Name: "And So It Begins" Music By: Artificial Music @ https://soundcloud.com/artificial-music YT Channel HERE: / smarttoa. . Original upload HERE - https://soundcloud.com/artificial-mus... License for commercial use: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License. Full License HERE - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Music promoted by NCM https://goo.gl/fh3rEJ

Thursday Apr 06, 2023

Ep. 32 - FAZE vs OPTIC Is Turning Into A HUGE RIVALRY, The Cool Thing About Losing, rating Pro Players and giving Respect where it’s due

Thursday Apr 06, 2023

WHATS UP 2XTG FAM! Episode 32 is here bright and early, bring you some cool conversations as we just chat away about the HCS 4K Online tourney and talk about the skill level of players and the mindset players can have about one another, we touch upon CLG and the rumors of the end of the Org and end on a discussion about LVP's tweet, giving a bit more context and understanding about respect within Esports, or lack of it! Hope you enjoy and as always please share your thoughts and opinions on our discussions!!!

- Contents -

00:00:00 - Start

00:04:17 - HCS 4K Results, what did FaZe learn about OpTic since Charlotte?

00:07:15 - The cool thing about losing

00:19:33 - Up and coming teams in the HCS this year?

00:26:20 - Do any individual players ever give you nerves playing against them?

00:33:30 - Do teams have mental blocks against players or teams?

00:37:10 - Any Player or teams that have shocked or surprised you?

00:45:00 - CLG Rumors

00:47:55 - Twitch Chat, putting some context behind LVP's tweet

- Coffee - This week we are trying out a Nespresso pod in the Vertuo line, this is the Arondio. It is mild with a rounded, smooth cereal note. A subtle acidity and a deep, gentle intensity makes this a long black coffee with an approachable character. Best served as Gran Lungo 5.07 oz. Notes: Nutty & Balanced.

Check out Nespresso here: https://tinyurl.com/k7fmbrtx

- Audio & Equipment -

Camera - Sony Handycam AX53 4K

Mics - Samson Q2U

Recording Device - Zoom H5 4-Input / 4-Track Portable Handy Recorder with Interchangeable X/Y Mic Capsule

- Where to find us -

- Audio Podcast -

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...