Raj Varma, better known as Snax Gaming, has reached incredible heights today and his success story is an inspiration to many. Let’s delve into the journey of how he got there–from his roots in school days all the way up to live streaming on Loco and what huge transformations that brought about in him. Plus we’ll get a glimpse at where Raj hopes to take it from here! Ready? Let’s begin…
Who is Raj Varma, aka, Snax?
Snax, aka Raj Varma, is a silent killer amongst his peers in the Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) community. His sister Simran remembers him being too shy to talk to girls when they expressed an interest in him – but it turns out that he was actually concealing quite a talent! As he kept playing and progressing through CSGO tournaments, people from around their hometown began recognizing Snax’s ability on the field of play which impressed even Mom & Dad. Nowadays, few can match up with his level of expertise; no surprise here given how devoted he remains to hone this skill set every single day!
Initial Days of Struggle
After living in the city for 6-7 years, he began his travels by relocating to Begum Bazar. He then proceeded on a journey of discovery through Moazaam Jahi market and Kothapet as he looked for new places to call home.
The old city house was tiny, with one large room the size of modern kitchens. This room served as a combined kitchen, living area, and bedroom.
Growing up in a tight-knit family, his sister’s relentless support provided him an invaluable source of motivation. These two siblings shared the many challenges and successes their parents faced together from childhood onward, forging a strong bond between them.
Raj and his sister had been instilled with values of hard work, dedication, and determination. They developed a strong understanding from their parents’ guidance that success was earned – not given handouts.
Raj’s Teenage Days
Raj had no aspirations for higher education after his time at Harrow High School; he only wanted to pass. But this changed when he discovered an untapped passion and curiosity, transforming him into a lifelong learner.
So, he has 2 options:
- After generations of tradition, he joined his mother’s iconic jewelry and diamond business – continuing a legacy passed down through the family.
- Growing up, he watched his father toil tirelessly as a graphics designer at his Hyderabad shop– convincing him from a young age that this was not the path for him.
He embarked on an educational journey to Surat, determined to learn the intricacies of diamond work. His first stop was Navsari – a charming city in Gujarat steeped in history and culture. After receiving a family reference from his mother, he ventured to the factory and gained meaningful experience there for over half of a year.
As a 16-year-old with only 10th-grade education, he had no formal instruction in the factory. Nevertheless, his ambition and relentless effort enabled him to quickly learn essential skills that propelled him down an exciting career path.
In his first 6 months living far from home, he was overwhelmed by the challenges of adapting to a new and unfamiliar environment. However, despite being on the cusp of giving up hope entirely, something within kept pushing him forward until he eventually emerged triumphant with newfound strength in himself.
He found himself going from washing dishes for the wealthy in town to delivering tea glasses. He began doing diamond polish and devotedly spent his days commuting, dedicating 2-3 hours each day to the journey.
Motivated by the prospect of earning money to support his family, he informed his parents that they would be relocating to Surat. Working from 7 am-9 pm daily, this determined young man was devoted to creating a better future for himself and everyone around him.
Upon his return, gaming and sleep became the cornerstone of his life as he dedicated himself fully over three years to learning everything there was to know about it – eventually turning it into an obsession.
What Changed his Life?
He and his team, the Encore Paradox, chose to take part in a gaming tournament for an exciting experience. Together they made their mark on the competition as they sought out thrills from this unique event.
He never expected to make it far, but through sheer dedication and a love of the sport, he found himself in the finals – an intense battle taking place thousands of miles away. With travel arrangements booked for Delhi’s renowned stadium and an overnight stay in one of its luxurious hotels, this determined individual had every chance at winning!
When he boarded the flight for the first time, it was a moment of anticipation and excitement. When he shared his experience with his family, his sister reminded him that their parents had been less than convinced about this trip to Delhi – but ultimately trusted in him enough to let go.
Although the odds were against them, this small group of determined players worked hard and earned a fifth-place finish in the finale – with an astounding sum of $10,000 to be shared among each member. It was truly remarkable as they went home with around 1 lakh Indian rupees per person!
Her mother was initially skeptical of the tournament, but when payment arrived in her bank account, it became clear that this event and its corresponding app were legitimate. With an accompanying YouTube channel, viewers can experience these exciting tournaments live!
He challenged himself to a grueling routine, rising at 5 am and heading straight to the gym before beginning a long day clocking in from 7am-9 pm. Despite his busy schedule, he still managed to squeeze gaming time into the late hours of the night, settling down for only 4-5 hours of sleep each evening.
After assessing the potential of various sectors, he concluded that gaming offered him a unique opportunity to reach bigger goals and make a lucrative career.
After receiving offers from two of the biggest teams in esports, he made a calculated decision to join Entity. Since then, his dedication has paid off; every day is an opportunity for growth and improvement to become one of gaming’s most recognizable names.
How Things Took a U-Turn in his Life?
Fanatic was making its historic entrance into India, an impressive move for such a large company. However, after just two short months, Entity ultimately chose to pass on Fanatic’s offer of joining their team.
He hoped to find a chance to play, so he reached out to additional teams. Unfortunately, no team presented him with an offer; this led him away from gaming and sparked his reconsideration on leaving the traditional 9-5 job.
Faced with few alternatives, he suddenly stumbled upon the PUBG Mobile All Star tournament in Hyderabad. Offering a welcome respite to hone his skills and test himself against some of the best players around, December became an eagerly anticipated month for him!
At the time, an IND team was among the most successful teams in its league. Unfortunately, their star player Frankie had to miss out on a game due to miscommunication issues
When the team was desperate to find a player for their next game, Kratos reached out to his regular contact Raj in hopes of finding help.
He was presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one he simply couldn’t ignore. He had booked his flight in advance – taking the chance meant committing himself fully to this new journey, whatever it may bring.
At the time, Surat was facing familial concerns from his parents about how others perceived their son’s decisions. His sister revealed that this caused much tension within their home.
After playing in the tournament, he gained confidence that his future would be successful. His gut feeling was confirmed when he earned a plethora of “chicken dinners”, solidifying himself as an up-and-coming player.
Covid LockDown: A New Beginning in His Life
He demonstrated his commitment and aptitude for the program when he decided to participate in IND’s boot camp last January. His impressive teamwork skills were evident throughout, elevating him to new heights of success within the company.
With his first foray into YouTube, he began showcasing drills to teach others the fundamentals of playing. His devotion to helping aspiring athletes hone their skills is unparalleled and continues today with newfound vigor.
In an arduous 3-month period of hard work, he had reached the goals that his plan indicated would take him three full years to achieve. However, just as his dream seemed within reach in March 2020, the global pandemic forced cities across India into lockdown, and Gurgaon – which was hosting their league tournament – declared itself a red zone.
After spending 8 months confined to their flat due in no small part to the pandemic, Kratos provided a much-needed entertainment outlet for him. This pushed his gaming skills into overdrive and made it easier than ever before to hone them further.
Though he faced formidable opponents, this underdog was determined to succeed. Despite the odds stacked against him, he made use of his time in shared accommodation by learning from other players and honing his skill set.
How Loco Changed his Vision Towards Gaming
After reaching an impressive milestone of 700K+ followers, he followed his dreams and ventured into the world of streaming. Shortly after, 8Bit Creatives welcomed him onboard and Loco.gg was launched shortly thereafter. Initially met with critique due to his unique diction at times, this hasn’t stopped him from continuing on in pursuit for success ever since then!
After a few days, the audience was captivated by this entertainer’s magnetic personality. His performance filled them with good vibes and enjoyment; they couldn’t get enough!
He expresses his emotions with remarkable clarity, captivating and engaging a loyal fan base who tune in regularly to follow along. Through his live stream on Loco, he provides an interesting glimpse into all aspects of life -the good and the bad. His energetic personality helps him take it all in stride, helping viewers to de-stress as they connect with him through personal stories and share plans.
His passions are shopping and exploring the local malls, but he always reminds us to stay focused despite difficulties. He emphasizes that perseverance will bring fulfillment in life as long as there is belief in a higher power for guidance—a testament of dedication to meeting divine intervention.
You can find the full interview here, streaming exclusively on Loco.
