Interview: Aidan Khus, Runner Up at Knoxville Regionals.

Interview: Aidan Khus, Runner Up at Knoxville Regionals.

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This conversation instead jumps straight into a different kind of grind: high-level Pokémon TCG competition. Competitive player **Aiden Koos**, fresh off his runner-up finish at the 2024 Knoxville Regionals, chats with hosts Cory and Jared about what it really takes to chase big results on the tournament circuit. From the outset, you’ll get a feel for the show’s relaxed, mate-down-the-pub energy.

Cory and Jared treat Aiden like an old friend, teasing him about being “successful” while they were “sponsored by University Parks Apartments,” and cheering on “Texas in the house, baby.” The tone stays light even as Aiden breaks down serious topics like travel costs, student loans, and the pressure of staying at the top of the rankings.

Aiden explains how his team, sponsored by The Daily Grind, helps its mostly college-aged players afford constant travel, while keeping the focus on friendship and testing together. He runs through his tournament journey in detail, including his 6–0 surge in day two and the heartbreaking misplay in the finals with Pidgeot V, admitting, “Ultimately, it’s my fault for not knowing what my cards do.” It’s a rare, honest look at how even elite players mess up under pressure.

You’ll also hear how Aiden balances uni homework between rounds, why he loves high-skill decks like Lost Zone Kyogre (“a very high skill ceiling deck”), and how he handles facing familiar rivals again and again. For anyone interested in competitive card games, the chat shows how community, resilience, and a sense of humour keep the game fun even after painful mistakes.

If you’re into stories of hard work, near-misses, and chasing that next big win, this one might have you asking: how far would you go to push your passion to the next level?