Article: From Caster to President: The Unstoppable Rise of PapaSmithy - Podcast #201

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May 30, 2025Podcast

From Caster to President: The Unstoppable Rise of PapaSmithy - Podcast #201

On this week's episode of the NZXT Podcast...

We welcomed an icon of esports and one of the most seasoned voices in competitive gaming - Christopher "PapaSmithy" Smith. From casting epic League of Legends matches to leading one of North America’s most exciting esports organizations, FlyQuest, his journey is anything but conventional.

From Pokémon to Pro Gaming

Growing up in Australia and later the Middle East, PapaSmithy was deeply rooted in games like Pokémon, ancient strategy titles, and platformers like Aladdin. Though console gaming wasn’t the norm in his household, early PC titles helped him develop a passion that eventually led to competitive gaming - most notably League of Legends, back when 220ms ping was just part of the deal.

Psychology First, Casting Later

Before his casting career took off, PapaSmithy was a school psychologist. He chose the path because of a deep-rooted desire to help others and positively impact young lives. But as League of Legends slowly became more than a hobby, a new path started calling.

Esports Commentary: The Accidental Career

It started small - local games, unpaid streams, and analysis with only a few dozen viewers. But his knowledge, passion, and charisma turned heads quickly. A pivotal moment came when he casted Taipei Assassins’ first matches post–Season 2 Worlds. From there, opportunities snowballed.

Eventually, PapaSmithy joined Riot’s Korean broadcast team, casting for LCK and international events like Worlds and MSI. His commentary helped shape global understanding of the Korean League of Legends scene during its golden era.

From Casting to Leading FlyQuest

Despite a successful casting career, PapaSmithy wanted more creative control. That led to a leap of faith - accepting the role of General Manager at 100 Thieves. Later, a call from FlyQuest’s new ownership unlocked his next chapter: co-leading the organization as its President and Chief Gaming Officer.

Under his leadership, FlyQuest has adopted a clear mission: leave the gaming landscape better than we found it. It’s a philosophy rooted in inclusivity, smart growth, and a long-term mindset.

Building for the Future

What sets FlyQuest apart? According to PapaSmithy, it’s all about patience, intention, and cultural fit - hiring the right people at the right time, and letting them grow alongside the org. Whether it's players, staff, or business leads, FlyQuest is built on co-authored visions for success.

He also believes esports orgs should take their time, resist following trends blindly, and instead build thoughtfully with sustainability in mind.

Why He Loves Esports

When asked why he still loves esports, PapaSmithy responded: “Whatever brought you to esports is a badge of honor.” That ethos is woven throughout his leadership - celebrating diversity, collaboration, and passion from all corners of the globe.

From a 220-ping player in Australia to leading one of the most beloved LCS orgs today, PapaSmithy’s story is a powerful reminder that the road less traveled often leads to the most meaningful destinations.

📢 Catch more episodes of the NZXT Podcast live every Friday at 10 a.m. PT on Twitch.tv/NZXT or on-demand via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and SoundCloud.

💬 Want to support FlyQuest or learn more? Visit flyquest.gg and follow them and PapaSmithy on socials.