Fortnite, Daequan, and the Shy Kid I Used to Be
I wasn’t always confident. Gaming actually played a huge role in who I became.
November 29, 2025
If I’m being honest, Fortnite lowkey shaped a big part of my life.
People today see me as confident, social, always doing a million things at once. But what most people don’t know is that I used to be a very shy kid. Like, “barely talks” shy.
Gaming was one of the first places where I felt… actually good at something. I competed in FIFA, I competed in Call of Duty, and Fortnite was where everything kind of clicked. I was always “good at what I do,” but Fortnite was the first time that really meant something socially. I had never been "glazed" as much as I was for my fortnite or football skills.....
In 9th grade, I had a whole nickname: “Daequan.” And yes, that Daequan, the Fortnite legend, the guy with the funniest energy and cleanest double pumps. My friends gave me the nickname because of how good I was and because I could do a spot-on impression of him. It sounds silly now, but back then, that nickname made me feel seen in a way I hadn’t felt before.
The truth is… gaming gave me friendships. It gave me confidence. It gave me a voice before I ever found my real one. I made money off of fortnite at 15 years old playing random tournaments, killing pros, and more.
Now? When someone brings up Fortnite, I cringe a little. Not because I hate it, but because it reminds me of a version of me I’ve outgrown. Still, that shy kid needed Fortnite. He needed that world, that team, those nights of laughing and clutching games.
And as much as life has changed, I’ll always appreciate that part of the journey. When someone asks me what videogames I played growing up, fortnite is always the first answer, even though it's not the game I played the most. Here’s a video of me playing Fortnite last year. I’m definitely not as good as before, but hey, it’s just for funsies now.
Funny how some phases in life feel embarrassing later, but deep down, they’re the ones that built you! Embrace it, every single step is part of the journey, and it's the reason we are where we are right now!