How did apEX become one of Counter-Strikes greatest IGLs? – All About CS #19
Has apEX now become one of Counter-Strikes greatest IGLs? In this special episode of the All About Counter-Strike podcast, James Banks and Jonatan 'Devilwalk' Lundberg are joined by the legendary in-game leader of Team Vitality, Dan "apEX" Madesclaire. This in-depth interview covers apEX's entire illustrious career, from his early days in Counter-Strike: Source and the transition into CS:GO to his monumental victories and the creation of dominant rosters. He shares candid stories about playing with and against fellow legends, the truth behind the infamous "French shuffles," and the personal challenges and triumphs that have shaped him as a player and a leader. Prepare for a journey through Counter-Strike history as apEX opens up about his evolution from a star entry fragger to the most decorated player of all time and now one of the greatest in-game leaders. He discusses the emotional highs of winning two Majors, the crushing lows of team breakups, and the mentality that has kept him at the pinnacle of the sport for over a decade. Discover the secrets behind Team Vitality's unprecedented success in 2025, his leadership philosophy, the dynamics of his star-studded rosters, and his vision for the future. This is a must-watch for any Counter-Strike fan who wants to understand the mind of a true champion. Check us out on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts – https://allaboutcs.gg Our Discord – https://allaboutcs.gg/discord Episode recorded on July 14, 2025 0:00:00 - Intro & Banter 0:03:28 - Devilwalk vs. apEX: A Look Back at Their Rivalry 0:07:31 - apEX's First HLTV Match & Early Career 0:10:58 - The Feeling of Going Pro & First Sponsorships 0:13:43 - The First Big Win at Prague Challenge 2013 0:16:52 - Winning ESWC 2013 and the "Revenge Arc" 0:21:00 - The "Annoying" Playstyle & Never Giving Up 0:23:27 - apEX's Incredible Memory for Past Games 0:26:53 - The Rise of Envy & Winning the Cluj-Napoca 2015 Major 0:29:43 - Dealing with Emotion and an IGL's Mentality 0:32:16 - How a Performance Coach Changed Everything 0:35:39 - Navigating the French Scene & Team Dynamics 0:42:35 - The "Last Dance" and Cluj-Napoca 2015 Major Win 0:46:00 - The Constant French Shuffles 0:51:39 - The G2 "Superteam" and Its Challenges 0:55:08 - The Genesis of Team Vitality: A Player-Driven Project 1:00:00 - First Impressions of a Young ZywOo 1:05:26 - Coaching Changes and Early Vitality Struggles 1:07:25 - The IGL Tug-of-War Between NBK & ALEX 1:11:48 - When Shox Joined Vitality & The Aftermath 1:19:08 - Becoming the In-Game Leader of Vitality 1:23:33 - The Mentality of a Hard Worker: Family Influence 1:27:39 - The End of the French Vitality Roster 1:33:00 - The Emotional Departure of XTQZZZ 1:37:08 - Building an International Roster: The Danish Experiment 1:45:27 - Winning the Paris Major: A Dream Come True at Home 1:58:40 - The Controversial Decision to Replace Dupreeh with FlameZ 2:03:41 - The Departure of Zonic & Lars to Falcons 2:09:03 - The Unsung Hero: MaT - The Analyst 2:12:34 - XTQZZZ's Return and the Difficulties of 2024 2:20:16 - JackZ's Last Dance at the World Finals 2:23:45 - The Prophecy: "Next year I will be there getting all the trophies." 2:27:34 - The Arrival of Ropz: Forging a New Dynasty 2:37:20 - The Unprecedented Success of 2025: What's the Secret? 2:45:03 - The Development of Mezii 2:50:21 - Confidence and Doubts After a Loss 2:51:48 - The Power of Speeches and Team Motivation 2:54:51 - The Method Behind the Madness: Mid-Match Strategy Sessions 2:57:00 - The Austin Major Final vs. MongolZ 3:02:57 - The Iconic "Middle Finger" Moment 3:05:09 - Finding Peace and Staying Healthy 3:10:05 - Keeping the Team Hungry for More 3:18:50 - Lessons Learned from Past IGLs 3:23:19 - Can Ropz Win an MVP? 3:25:01 - The Strategy to Neutralize Donk 3:32:40 - Pesh Returns as Team Manager 3:34:19 - apEX's Personal Merch 3:35:48 - The Upcoming Showmatch vs. Karrigan 3:37:05 - Viewer Questions 4:04:28 - Final Words to the Fans 4:06:03 - Outro
