Jeannail “Cuddle_Core” Carter continues to rank among the best Tekken 7 players in the world. Tournament results aren’t Cuddle_Core’s only accomplishment, she also coaches new players for XO Academy. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with helping other women achieve success. We talked to Cuddle about her coaching journey and how it has helped her grow as a competitor.

Why did you start coaching?

I was approached by XO Academy about coaching. At first I wasn’t sure if I’d be down to teach because I didn’t think I’d be a good teacher. But the more I thought about it, I understood that I knew a lot about the game. And with coaching women in particular, I wanted to be that safe space where they could learn.

I was someone who looks like them and probably had similar experiences with them, but still has the know-how to guide them and make them feel comfortable even when I’m not with them. I can give them that power and comfort but also the knowledge and skill, as well as some of that tough love. Because if we’re being honest here, you can’t control what people say, but you know who you are. And if I can prepare them to forget everybody else and give them some positive energy, that makes me feel really good.

It’s not about anyone else at the end of the day, it’s about you and what you do. People can say stuff all day, but you know what’s up. It’s about proving that to yourself. I like being a coach, but I love being that mental guide for them as well.

They see that someone that looks like them is doing it, and if they want to get to the same spot as me then I can be a resource for them. I like being that for other people because it's hard to do this as a woman on your own.

Tell me the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a coach.

When my students faced problems and came to talk to me about them, sometimes it would make me relive my own trauma. Talking about this stuff is hard for me, but I don’t do anyone any favors by lying or sugar coating things, so I won’t. There’s a lot of things that women deal with in these spaces that make you doubt yourself.

For me, I’ve worked through those traumas but they do resurface sometimes because of things people say or do. In this case it’s when my students talk to me about the same things that I went through, and it can be difficult.

I just think about the bigger picture, and by helping them I’m able to heal because I’ve been there and can help them too. It helps me a lot by helping them. The technical stuff about the game, I got that! But when they come to me for emotional support, I have to be strong for them.

What’s one specific moment that exemplifies your satisfaction as a coach?

My first student is named Athena, and I remember for her “Final Test,” I set up this gauntlet. It was like three First-to-Tens (FT10) that were recorded in the Danger Room. She said it was really hard but appreciated my help because I taught her a lot about understanding matchups and dealing with different playstyles.

She said because of my coaching it helped her understand what she needed to get better at as a player. Because it’s not always about winning, it's about recognizing where you need to improve. I try to put my students under pressure to make them better and stronger.

As a woman, you need to be twice as tough. Don’t let them push you over and make them fear you. If someone underestimates you even for a second, put the fear of God in them. That’s what it’s all about, and those long, drawn-out FT10 sets will teach you about that.

Building up your physical and mental stamina is such a huge part of playing, so I was proud of Athena because she didn’t shy away or back down from the challenge. Her mindset is one of the healthiest mindsets I’ve seen in newcomers and I think she has a bright future in Tekken. I had a lot of joy watching her blossom and we still talk to this day.

How has coaching impacted your development as a player?

It’s interesting because I also have my own coach. I think about the different ways we approach Tekken because we’re not just playing it, we’re always watching. We try to look for why people do what they’re doing. So even when I’m not playing I’m constantly having to either show my students why, or I’m being shown by why.

Whenever I’m coaching or getting coached I ask a lot of questions and theorize about the game. I think about this stuff in-game all the time. It makes me more considerate of what I do. My movements are deliberate and there’s a reason why I’m doing them. I’m teaching my students that because I’ve already been taught how.

Being coached every week, I love it. I wish I was sipping this stuff earlier! For a whole year plus I’ve been coaching and getting coached. It’s really helped me control myself with my play because I have direction. Because of what I’m taught, I’m able to teach others, which helps me apply new things to my own game.

It’s also made me kinder to myself when I don’t perform as well as I’d like, because we can look at the footage, go back to the drawing board, and kick ass next week. It’s a wash, rinse, repeat process, but it will prepare you for playing the best Tekken of your life.

Cuddle Core is one of the players featured in our Women of the FGC series. Gain more insight into her career and the community through her episode.